Southern View: January 29, 2026

alana@alliedmedia.co.nz
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Annabel Judd
Ph: 021 457 469
annabel.judd@alliedmedia.co.nz
Safety fears after theft of life-saving buoys
BY GEOFF SLOAN
The theft of rescue flotation
buoys from Christchurch
beaches comes amid a sharp rise
in drowning deaths around the
country this summer, prompting
calls to expand public rescue
equipment across Canterbury.
Two rescue flotation buoys
have recently gone missing
from Spencer Park and Waimairi
beaches. The public rescue
The Star, January 23, 2025
devices were among seven
installed at the city’s main
beaches ahead of the summer
season.
The thefts, along with a vandalised
sign at Spencer Park,
have prompted concern on social
media.
The Star, January 23, 2025
Said one online commenter:
“Some entitled asshat has stolen
the item intended to save a life.”
Spencer Park Surf Lifesaving
Club deputy club captain Linda
Poulsen confirmed the club’s
rescue buoy went missing about
four weeks ago. She said it was
The Star, January 23, 2025
being replaced “as quickly as
possible”.
Poulsen said the flotation
buoys were a great idea and
would be an invaluable aid for
rescues outside patrol hours.
“However, it’s disappointing
some people feel the need to steal
The Star, January 23, 2025
stuff.”
Surf Life Saving NZ installed
140 bright yellow rescue flotation
The vandalised sign and missing rescue flotation buoy near the Spencer Park Surf Lifesaving
Club. Right, one of the flotation devices.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
buoys across New Zealand from
May last year, including 72 at surf
clubs.
The initiative is part of a
national campaign to improve
public access to rescue devices
outside lifeguard patrol hours.
A rise in the number of
drowning deaths is driving
recommendations to expand
the number of public rescue
equipment sites in Canterbury –
despite the ongoing issues with
vandalism and theft.
The move follows the drowning
of Christchurch man Chen
You, 43, who was diving to collect
seafood in Akaroa Harbour on
January 10 when
he went out of
sight for about
an hour. He was
pulled from the
water by the
harbour master,
but efforts to
revive him were
Tom Kearney
unsuccessful.
The death was one of 22
drowning fatalities recorded
nationwide since December 1
– nine more than for the same
period last year.
Surf Life Saving NZ
national coastal safety manager
Tom Kearney said the
organisation was seeking more
funding to expand the initiative
in Canterbury.
He has recommended about 10
additional installation sites after
completing hazard assessments.
“South Shore is a prime site,
as it’s a dangerous area with a
strong outflow.”
He said locations in Akaroa
and across Banks Peninsula were
also being considered.
“The city council is looking at
how they fund the extra installations,”
he said.
Kearney said there was a general
concern about the devices
being vandalised or stolen.
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“Putting
Jenny Wright
anything out in public
was Ph: 021 always 220 3484 going to be a
risk.”
jenny@alliedmedia.co.nz
There have also been reports
of the life-saving devices being
used for recreational activities
rather than for emergencies
He said the $138 buoys are
made in Auckland, and surf
clubs could apply for replacement
buoys from the limited
stock if needed.
“As long as they’re not going
missing every other
starnews.co.nz
day, it’s a
small price to pay if one gets
used to save a life,” Kearney
said.
“However, once they go, we’ll
have to find a way to fund
more.”
While there was no firm data,
Kearney said there
starnews.co.nz
had been
anecdotal reports of the flotation
buoys being used in rescues.
“We’re looking at mechanisms
we can use to report rescues.
One option is possibly scanning
a QR code on the sign or potentially
a reporting function on
our website.”
starnews.co.nz
He said spells of hot weather
had drawn large numbers of
people to beaches in early October
and again over the summer.
“We’ve seen a big increase in
visitation numbers, but also in
rescues.
“It’s looking like
starnews.co.nz
quite a busy
season – and quite a tragic
summer actually,” Kearney said.
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The Star, January 29, 2026
starnews.co.nz
Skipper’s final ferry crossing
​Black Cat Diamond Harbour
Lyttelton ferry skipper John
Rochford has retired after 22
years at the wheel. He talks to
Kees Chalmers
Mother nature’s farewell
to John Rochford was not a
kind one. His final crossing
as a skipper on the Diamond
Harbour-Lyttelton ferry was
marked with 40 knot north
easterly winds, blustery rain
and choppy waters.
"She was a shocking night,
but that’s part of the game,” the
67-year-old, who lives in Church
Bay, quipped.
But it was nothing compared
to what Mother Nature dished
up on June 7, 2010.
That was the day of a savage
storm which lashed the harbour
and sunk two boats at the
Lyttelton marina.
Rochford was at the helm
of the noon crossing. From
Lyttelton the wind was 35 knots,
a breeze so to speak.
But by the time passengers
were disembarking at Diamond
Harbour, the wind had grown to
84 knots, and the sea conditions
were horrendous.
But the vessel could not stay
tied up or moored in Diamond
Harbour because it was likely
it would have been badly
damaged by the fury being
unleashed. So Rochford said he
was told to go back to Lyttelton.
Six passengers also decided to
John Rochford has left his position as captain of the Black Cat ferry after 22 years in the pilot’s seat.
make their scheduled trip.
Said Rochford: “I thought,
sh*t, I’ve got to get this boat
back.”
The south westerly winds
meant crossing via the usual
route was not an option; instead
he steered towards Quail Island
then across to Lyttelton.
It typically takes Rochford
eight minutes to cross, but it
took about 20 on this occasion.
He told the passengers: “We’ll
be fine, trust me.”
While the swells were
intimidating, the thought
of capsizing never crossed
Rochford’s mind.
He docked at B-jetty, tied up
the ferry as quick as he could
and helped the passengers
disembark, who thanked him as
they got off.
“I was pretty relieved
knowing everyone got off safe,”
he said.
Rochford started in the job in
2003.
He was a commercial
fisherman in Lyttelton Harbour,
when a friend left the ferry’s
skipper role vacant.
Worn out from years of
commercial fishing, Rochford
jumped at the opportunity and
has skippered the Diamond
Harbour to Lyttelton ferry ever
since.
“It’s a bloody great place to
work, good clean environment
and everything just ticks along
nice,” he said.
"It’s the experience and the
lifestyle, every day is different.”
What he will miss most is
the people he has not only met
over the years but got to know
personally. He has ferried All
Blacks greats Richie McCaw,
Kieran Read and Owen Franks,
and spoke with them about
footy during the crossing.
Rochford was a handy
fullback during his senior 18
year club stint with Kaikoura.
He played alongside
former All Black Brian Ford,
nicknamed the Kaikoura
Express for his lightning speed.
Grass Seeds: The Hidden Summer Hazard for Dogs
Summer in New Zealand is a time for long walks, outdoor
adventures, and enjoying the sunny weather with your dog.
However, amidst the fun, there’s a hidden nuisance that can
be easy to overlook: grass seeds. At Kōwhai Vet Clinic, we’ve
recently treated several cases of dogs suffering due to these tiny
but troublesome seeds, and we want to raise awareness about
the risks.
This season alone, we’ve seen dogs with grass seeds embedded
between their toes, lodged deep down their ears, and a case
where a seed burrowed into the side of a dog’s body. The latter
caused a large abscess, in which we were able to spot the grass
seed using ultrasound and then remove the offending seed
at surgery. These cases highlight how grass seeds can cause a
surprising amount of harm if not identified and treated early.
Why Are Grass Seeds So Problematic?
Grass seeds are sharp, arrow-shaped seeds from common
grasses that dry out and become brittle in the summer heat.
Their pointed shape allows them to attach easily to fur and
burrow into the skin, causing anything from minor discomfort to
severe infections.
Once embedded, grass seeds don’t just stay put—they can
migrate. This can lead to abscesses, swelling, and pain. In severe
cases, seeds can travel internally, causing serious issues in vital
organs or joints.
Seed heads, such as on the end of these grasses, have
arrow-like tips which can penetrate the skin
Common Problem Areas:
Grass seeds can affect any part of your
dog, but the most common trouble spots
we’ve encountered include:
• Paws: Seeds can lodge between
toes, causing swelling, limping, or
excessive licking.
• Ears: Seeds can easily slip into
the ear canal, leading to shaking,
scratching, and even infections.
• Body: Seeds can burrow through
the skin, creating abscesses and
significant discomfort.
• Eyes: Seeds can scratch the eye
or get lodged under the eyelids,
potentially causing ulcers.
• Nose: Seeds inhaled through the
nose can lead to sneezing, nasal
discharge, and even respiratory
problems.
Symptoms to Watch For:
If your dog shows any of the following
signs, it’s worth checking for grass seeds:
• Persistent licking or chewing at paws.
• Shaking their head or scratching at their ears.
• Sudden limping or signs of discomfort while walking.
• Swelling, redness, or discharge from the skin, ears, or paws.
• Sudden and violent sneezing
Prevention Tips:
Prevention is the best approach when it comes to grass seeds.
Here’s how you can help protect your dog:
• Regular Grooming: Keep your dog’s coat well-groomed,
especially around the paws, ears, and belly.
• Check After Walks: Inspect your dog thoroughly after
walks, paying close attention to high-risk areas.
Fluffy feet like these easily catch grass seeds and can hide them well. Checking your
dog’s paws after walks can help to find them before they burrow in too far.
• Avoid Overgrown Areas: Stick to well-maintained paths
and avoid areas with long, dry grass.
• Trim Fur: For dogs with long hair, consider trimming
fur around the paws and ears to reduce the risk of seeds
becoming trapped.
What to Do if You Suspect a Problem:
If you think your dog may have a grass seed lodged somewhere,
don’t wait—seek veterinary attention immediately. While
grass seeds might seem like a small issue, they can lead to
big problems if not dealt with promptly. By taking simple
precautions and staying vigilant, you can help your dog enjoy a
safe and happy summer.
If you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health, call
Kōwhai Vet Clinic today. We’re here to help you keep your furry
friends healthy and happy all year round.
Consultations • Surgery & Diagnostics • Locally Owned & Operated
122 Opawa Road, Opawa, Christchurch. Ph: 03 337 5445
Visit our website: www.kowhaivet.co.nz
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starnews.co.nz The Star, January 29, 2026
was stormy ‘shocking night’
Ford’s claim to rugby fame –
or infamy here in Canterbury
– came from his late try for
Marlborough in their 13-6 shock
victory over Canterbury at
Lancaster Park in 1973 to take
the Ranfurly Shield.
Marlborough was leading
9-6 when Ford raced down the
left hand touch line minutes
from fulltime, evaded Fergie
McCormick and scored to put
the result out of Canterbury’s
reach.
Rochford was known as
The Rock during his playing
days, a name given to him by
teammates because he was
“solid as a rock” – well before
it was coined by United States
wrestler Dwayne Johnson.
He had a brief stint playing
for Hornby’s division 3 side
but played a major role for
Diamond Harbour as manager
of the senior side for 15 years.
The fact last Wednesday was
his final day on the job barely
crossed his mind, treating the
shift like any other.
"It was a bit weird actually, I
couldn’t get my head around it
because everything just ticked
along,” he said.
Passengers throughout the
afternoon were handing him
gifts and cakes and hundreds of
Facebook users flooded a post
from Diamond Harbour Ferry
page on his retirement with
well wishes.
Rochford said he was proud
to receive the appreciation for
his work over the past 22 years.
The ferry leaving the Diamond Harbour jetty.
He has spent a big part of his
life on boats, starting at 16 as a
crew member on a commercial
fishing boat in Kaikoura. He
brought his boat the Kingfisher
to Banks Peninsula about 30
years ago, basing him and his
then wife in Teddington.
He took a brief break from
commercial fishing to work
at Versatile Homes’ garages
in Hornby, before moving to
Diamond Harbour about 20
years ago and then onto Church
Bay 11 years ago with his
partner Sheryl Glenn.
Rochford has noticed the
amount of passengers on the
ferry has increased since he
started skippering in 2003.
PHOTO: CCC
"The area over here is
really getting busier, lots of
houses going up and when the
weather’s good it’s chocka,” he
said.
There have been a number
of memorable moments while
skippering the ferry.
About 10 years ago on an
early morning mid winter
crossing, he noticed a person
in the water. It was pitch black
with the exception of the ferry’s
navigation light.
A Korean fisherman had
fallen from a trawler, unnoticed
by his fellow crew. Rochford
saw the Korean waving his
hand about 100m away. He was
struggling to stay afloat.
It was the first ferry crossing
of the day, the wind was about
25 knots but the sea was calm.
Rochford had no passengers
or crew on board with him at
the time. He called Lyttelton
Port and told them to have an
ambulance waiting for him. He
steered the boat towards the
fisherman, put it into neutral
and pulled him onto the boat by
his jacket with some difficulty.
The man was unconscious,
unable to communicate with
Rochford. He put a blanket over
the fisherman and steered the
boat back towards the marina.
An ambulance was waiting
and took the fisherman to The
Princess Margaret Hospital.
"If it wasn’t for me he
would’ve definitely drowned,”
he said.
He also recalled returning to
Lyttelton during a beer festival
at Godley House, which he said
was notorious for getting out of
control.
It was the last crossing of the
day and as he disembarked the
skipper heard a noise coming
from the top of the boat.
"I thought, what the hell is
that?. And there's a guy lying
down on top of the roof. I didn't
even know he was there,” he
said.
Security guards ordered the
worse for wear passenger who
had been at the beer festival
down.
"It was quite hilarious,” he
said.
In retirement, he is planning
on going on more trips in his
caravan and joining the local
bowls club. While continuing
his involvement with the rugby
club, playing tennis and fishing
in the harbour.
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The Star, January 29, 2026
starnews.co.nz
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Open Day
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starnews.co.nz The Star, January 29, 2026
Katie and Oscar
become constant
companions
​BY DAVE DI SOMMA
Oscar, as she knows him, has
been in Katie McIntosh's life for
pretty much as long as she can
remember.
Now they are constant
companions.
He lives on the family's
property and together they are
making their way in the show
ring.
Bred, raced and owned by
McIntosh’s Ladbrooks-based
grandfather Ivan Court, Ardent
Lustre finished racing in 2021
after winning eight races from
93 starts.
The Lustre name has been
associated with the Courts for
generations.
"I have loved the horses
ever since I was little," said
McIntosh.
"I remember him vividly,
there are photos of me and
Oscar when I used to help
grandad in the stables."
McIntosh is now 17 and in her
last year at Lincoln High School.
After Ardent Lustre was
retired it made sense for Oscar
stay in the family.
He was re-educated to saddle
with help from Stonewall Stud
co-trainer Amanda Telfer.
"He's a show off who loves
attention,” said McIntosh.
“But he's really lovely and
follows me around the property
all the time.”
She rides him on average
about three times a week and
regularly competes, especially
at A&P shows.
“We've been showing him
for two seasons and won a few
ribbons in the novice classes.
“We have been first in
in-hand before and also been
best presented and mannered."
Recently McIntosh has also
had some specialist coaching.
“In the last 10 months we
have made some big progress,
specially in terms of sitting
better in the saddle and riding
well.
“We've put the emphasis
on his whole work and on
mastering his canter.”
There are plenty of up-coming
shows, including Malvern and
Kaikoura, to get ready for.
McIntosh hopes to one day
target Horse of the Year, New
Zealand’s premiere equestrian
event in Hastings, but knows
there is a lot of work to be done
before then. “I am learning
from him and he from me.”
– Harness News Desk
Katie McIntosh rides Oscar about three times a week and
regularly competes at A&P shows. She hopes to one day
target the Horse of the Year show.
Consultations
Surgery & Diagnostics
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122 Opawa Road,
Opawa, Christchurch.
Ph: 03 337 5445
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New speed signs
are on the way
We’re introducing variable speed zones near schools across the city.
Lower speeds will apply at the start and end of the school day.
Please be mindful of the new speeds and slow down to help keep our tamariki safe.
INF8407 January 2026
Find out more
ccc.govt.nz/saferspeeds

The Star, January 29, 2026
starnews.co.nz
Salads and sundaes to savour
Celebrate the season with Nigel
Slater’s fragrant herb-flecked rice
and a gloriously rich and fruity
sundae
SUMMER VEGETABLE
AND HERB RICE
Serves 4
This is at its best when the rice
is still warm and the herbs freshly
chopped. Use edamame instead of
broad beans if you fancy.
Ingredients
For the rice:
25g butter
150g basmati rice
½ tsp salt
4 black cloves
6 peppercorns
½ cinnamon stick
8 green cardamom pods
For the herbs and greens:
400g (shelled weight) broad
beans or edamame 300g (podded
weight) peas
4 spring onions
2 medium courgettes
2 cloves garlic
2 Tbsp olive oil
20g parsley leaves
15g mint sprigs
10g coriander leaves and stems
15g dill
50g shelled pistachios
A few dried rose petals
Method
• Put the rice in a deep bowl,
cover with warm water and
swish the rice around with your
fingers until the water is milky.
Empty it off, then repeat with
more water, once, maybe twice
more, until it is almost clear.
• Melt the butter in a mediumsized,
deep pan over a moderate
heat. Add the salt, cloves,
peppercorns and cinnamon stick.
Crack open the cardamom pods,
but leave the seeds intact, then
add to the pan.
• When the spices are warm
and fragrant, drain the rice and
stir into the spices until the rice
is glossy with the melted butter.
• Cover with water to come a
couple of centimetres above the
rice, then bring to the boil. Cover
tightly with a lid, lower the heat,
and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn
off the heat, but don’t remove
the lid.
• Put a pan of water on to boil,
salt lightly, then, when it comes
to the boil, add the broad beans
or edamame and the peas. Cook
for 3 or 4 minutes until tender,
drain and set aside. Meanwhile,
finely chop the spring onions
and roughly dice the courgettes.
Peel and chop the garlic.
• When the peas and beans
are drained, dry the pan, return
it to the heat and pour in the
olive oil. Add the spring onions,
courgette and garlic and
cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring
occasionally, until the cut sides
are gold, then remove from the
heat. While the courgettes cook,
roughly chop the pistachios.
• Finely chop the parsley,
mint leaves and coriander. Mix
the herbs, pistachios, spring
onion and courgettes, beans
and peas together. In a serving
bowl, combine the cooked rice
with the herbs and beans and
mix thoroughly. If you wish,
scatter in a few dried rose
petals, too.
​
PEACH, RASPBERRY AND
REDCURRANT SUNDAE
Serves 4
The raspberry and redcurrant
sauce is thickened with blackcurrant
jam, but you could use
apricot jam or redcurrant jelly.
The sauce thickens slightly on
cooling. Sweeten it once cooled
with a little icing sugar if you
wish.
Ingredients
For the sauce:
125g redcurrants
125g raspberries
2 Tbsp blackcurrant jam
4 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp caster sugar
The fruit:
750g ripe cantaloupe melon,
with skin on
12 cherries
16 raspberries
2 peaches
4 scoops vanilla ice-cream
To finish:
A few sprigs of redcurrants
Method
• Make the sauce: remove the
redcurrants from their stalks
and put the fruit in a small pan.
Add the raspberries, jam, water
and sugar and bring almost to
the boil. As soon as the sugar
has dissolved, transfer to a
blender and process to a purée.
• Chill the sauce in the fridge
for an hour, or by transferring
it to a bowl over ice.
• Remove the seeds from the
melon, then scoop the flesh into
balls with an ice-cream scoop
or a spoon. Divide between four
sundae glasses.
• Add a scoop of ice-cream to
each glass. Stone the cherries,
then add them, with the
raspberries to the sauce.
• Halve the peaches, discard
the stones, slice each half into
four and add to the sauce.
• Spoon the sauce and fruit
over the ice-cream and melon.
Add sprigs of redcurrants if you
wish. Eat immediately.
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starnews.co.nz The Star, January 29, 2026
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$199
Pine
Bookcase
Small 900H
ONLY $329
Single $499
Double $599
WAS $1699
NOW ONLY $999
Sleepyhead
Queen Drawer
Base with
Mattress
Queen $699 WAS $999
King Single $599
SPECIAL
$799
Sleepyhead King
Base & Mattress Set
ONLY
$429
Pine Entertainment
Unit
4 Shelf/2 Drawer
(1600 x 480H x 400)
1 Drawer
Side Table
(400 x 350 x 620H)
$129 each
Glass 5 Piece
Dining Suite
(1200 x 750)
ONLY $499
Bar Stools
$150 each
1 Drawer
Bedside
(520 x 410 x
430W)
Tallboy
4 Drawer
600 x 400 x 900.
ONLY $299
ONLY
$239
Shelving Units
3 Shelf
(800 x 855)
ONLY $199
4 Shelf
(800 x 1230)
ONLY $239
$140
Pine Coffee Table
(1200 x 600 x 500H)
WAS $399
SPECIAL $299
7 Drawer
Scotch Chest
1140 x 800 x 410
ONLY $399 each
ONLY $299
7 Drawer
TV/DVD Chest
760 x 1140 x 410.
(Gap 150)
ONLY
$399
Jumbo 4 Drawer Chest
1140 x 800 x 400. NZ made.
Metal runners.
ONLY $599 each
ONLY
$379 each
Small
510H x 460W x 410 D
$175 each
Large
690H x 460W x 410 D
$239 each
Towerboy 6 Drawer
1260 x 460 x 410. With metal
runners. Also available in Black.
Lowboy
6 Drawer
1130 x 410 x 820.
Bedside Cabinet
With metal runners.
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CROSSWORD
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9
10 11
12 13 14
15 16 17
18
19 20 21 22
435
SUDOKU
Every row, column and box should
contain the digits 1 to 9.
WordBuilder
WORDBUILDER
B R D
A A O
6
335 335
A A O
many words of three or more letters,
How including many plurals, words can you of make three from or the more six
letters, using each letter only once? No foreign
How words or beginning with a capital are
from many
allowed.
the words
There's
six letters, of three
at least one
using or more
six-letter
each letters,
word.
only
including once? plurals, can you make from the six
TODAY
letters, Good using 14 each Very letter Good only 18 once? Excellent No 23 foreign
No words beginning with a capital are
words Solution or words 334: ani, beginning ant, ante, anti, with ate, a capital ave, eat, are eta,
allowed. allowed. etna, naive, There's NATIVE, There’s at nave, least at neat, one least net, six-letter one nit, tai, six-letter
tan, word.
word. tea, ten, tin, tine, vain, van, vane, vat, vein, vent,
vet, via, vie, vine. TODAY
Good 14 Very Good 18 Excellent 23
Solution 334: ani, ant, ante, anti, ate, ave, eat, eta,
etna, naive, NATIVE, nave, neat, net, nit, tai, tan,
tea, ten, tin, tine, vain, van, vane, vat, vein, vent,
vet, via, vie, vine.
letters, including plurals, can you make
23 24
25 26
Across
7. Burglaries (5-3)
9. Three-legged stand (6)
10. Small, sheltered bay (4)
11. Airport workers (6,4)
12. Keep (6)
14. Unity (8)
15. Doze (6)
16. United (6)
19. Throw overboard (8)
21. Threaten (6)
23. Viticulturist (4,6)
24. Rip (4)
25. Movement (6)
26. Rebound (8)
Decoder
Down
1. Furrow (6)
2. Wash (4)
3. US state (8)
4. Reek (6)
5. Debate (10)
6. Predicted (8)
8. Singe (6)
13. Opposite (10)
15. Person who is owed money (8)
17. Five-line verse (8)
18. Reply (6)
20. Season (6)
22. Pursuer (6)
24. Fold (4)
Crossword
Across: 7. Break-ins, 9. Tripod, 10. Cove, 11. Ground crew, 12. Retain,
14. Cohesion, 15. Catnap, 16. Allied, 19. Jettison, 21. Menace, 23. Wine
grower, 24. Tear, 25. Motion, 26. Ricochet.
Down: 1. Groove, 2. Lave, 3. Virginia, 4. Stench, 5. Discussion, 6. Foretold,
8. Scorch, 13. Antithesis, 15. Creditor, 17. Limerick, 18. Answer, 20. Spring,
22. Chaser, 24. Tuck.
WordBuilder
Aba, ABOARD, ABROAD, ado, baa, bad, bar, bard, boa, boar, board, bod,
bra, brad, bro, broad, dab, dob, drab, oar, orb, rad, road, rob, rod.
DECODER
Each number represents a different letter of the alphabet. Write the
given letters into all squares with matching numbers. Now work out
which letters are represented by the other numbers.
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T H E P U Z Z L E C O M P A N Y
www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz
Sudoku