Western News: January 29, 2026

FOR LOCAL ADVERTISING
Alana Powell
Ph: 027 535 6583
alana@alliedmedia.co.nz
Safety fears after theft of life-saving buoys
FOR LOCAL ADVERTISING
Alana Powell
Ph: 027 535 6583
BY GEOFF SLOAN
“Putting alana@alliedmedia.co.nz anything out in public
was always going to be a
The theft of rescue flotation
risk.”
buoys from Christchurch
There have also been reports
beaches comes amid a sharp rise
of the life-saving devices being
in drowning deaths around the
used for recreational activities
country this summer, prompting
rather
FOR
than
LOCAL
for emergencies
ADVERTISING
calls to expand public rescue
He Annabel said the Judd $138 buoys are
equipment across Canterbury.
Two rescue flotation buoys
made Ph: in 021 Auckland, 457 469and surf
clubs annabel.judd@alliedmedia.co.nz
could apply for replacement
have recently gone missing
buoys from the limited
from Spencer Park and Waimairi
stock if needed.
beaches. The public rescue
“As long as they’re not going
devices were among seven
missing every other day, it’s a
installed at the city’s main
small price to pay if one gets
beaches ahead of the summer
used to save a life,” Kearney
season.
said. FOR LOCAL ADVERTISING
The thefts, along with a vandalised
sign at Spencer Park,
have to find a way to fund
“However,
Jenny Wright
once they go, we’ll
have prompted concern on social
Ph: 021 220 3484
The vandalised sign and missing rescue flotation buoy near the Spencer Park Surf Lifesaving
more.”
jenny@alliedmedia.co.nz
media.
Club. Right, one of the flotation devices.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
While there was no firm data,
Said one online commenter:
Kearney said there had been
“Some entitled asshat has stolen buoys across New Zealand from January 10 when
organisation was seeking more anecdotal reports of the flotation
the item intended to save a life.” May last year, including 72 at surf he went out of
funding to expand the initiative
buoys being used in rescues.
Spencer Park Surf Lifesaving clubs.
sight for about
in Canterbury.
“We’re looking at mechanisms
Club deputy club captain Linda The initiative is part of a an hour. He was
He has recommended about 10 we can use to report rescues.
Poulsen confirmed the club’s national campaign to improve pulled from the
additional installation sites after One option is possibly scanning
rescue buoy went missing about public access to rescue devices water by the
completing hazard assessments. a QR code on the sign or potentially
four weeks ago. She said it was outside lifeguard patrol hours. harbour master,
“South Shore is a prime site,
a reporting function on
being replaced “as quickly as A rise in the number of
but efforts to
as it’s a dangerous area with a our website.”
possible”.
drowning deaths is driving revive him were
strong outflow.”
Poulsen
The Star,
said
January
the
23,
flotation
2025
Tom Kearney
He said spells of hot weather
recommendations to expand unsuccessful.
He said locations in Akaroa had drawn large numbers
starnews.co.nz
of
buoys were a great idea and the number of public rescue The death was one of 22 and across Banks Peninsula were people to beaches in early October
would be an invaluable aid for equipment sites in Canterbury – drowning fatalities recorded also being considered.
and again over the summer.
rescues outside patrol hours. despite the ongoing issues with nationwide since December 1 “The city council is looking at “We’ve seen a big increase in
“However, it’s disappointing vandalism and theft.
– nine more than for the same how they fund the extra installations,”
visitation numbers, but also in
some people feel the need to steal The move follows the drowning
period last year.
he said.
rescues.
stuff.”
of Christchurch man Chen Surf Life Saving NZ
Kearney said there was a gen-
“It’s looking like quite a busy
Surf Life Saving NZ installed You, 43, who was diving to collect national coastal safety manager
Tom Kearney said the being vandalised or stolen. summer actually,” Kearney starnews.co.nz
eral concern about the devices season – and quite a tragic
140 The bright Star, January yellow 23, rescue 2025flotation
seafood in Akaroa Harbour on
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.
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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

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
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.
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starnews.co.nz The Star, January 29, 2026
Community group
weighs up options
to stop boy racers
BY KEES CHALMERS
A community group determined
to discourage boy racers in
Lyttelton Harbour has raised
enough money for a month-long
trial of a portable CCTV camera.
The Safer and Quieter Roads
initiative, started by Cass Bay
residents and unsuccessful
Banks Peninsula city
council candidate Dave
Dunlay, proposed the idea
in September and has
raised $2450 in donations
from the community so
far.
"It’s a strong start and
shows real local support,”
said Dunlay.
The group is now
considering whether to
deploy the portable camera
next month, or continue to
fundraise towards getting a
permanent camera.
It has been in discussion
with city council staff about
longer term options and was
told it could get a police crime
prevention network permanent
speed camera.
The permanent camera will
cost $4000 plus installation and
network costs. The group wants
to find out whether it could
measure both vehicle speed and
Dave Dunlay
noise, which is a major issue
around Lyttelton Harbour and
in Gebbies Valley, Dunlay said.
Installing a permanent
option would mean delaying
deployment and gathering
evidence of anti-social
behaviour.
It also risks road users
identifying the camera’s
location.
However, the data
collected could be
immediately enforceable
via police and NZTA.
The group’s preferred
option is to deploy the
portable camera between
two to four known hot
spots over February. Data
collected on noise and
speed would be shared
with the community, city
council, NZTA and police.
Dunlay said the results
would demonstrate the scale
of the problem and support
stronger enforcement tools and
legislative change.
In addition to the funds
already raised, the group would
apply for a $2000 grant from
Te Pataka o Rakaihautu Banks
Peninsula Community Board
toward a permanent camera.
"A mix of permanent
infrastructure and occasional
mobile monitoring may
ultimately be the most effective
approach,” Dunlay said.
The group was initially
looking to raise $4180 for a
two-month trial of the camera,
Dunlay admitted it was a naive
target.
"We feel comfortable that if
we get that camera for the one
month, move it to those two to
four different locations around
the harbour area, that'll still
give us good evidence of the
noise and the speed,” he said.
The group originally aimed
to have the camera up and
running in December, but
decided the holiday period
would not give an accurate
snapshot of typical driving
habits.
"Residents are frustrated,
exhausted, and worried
about safety. This is about
measurement, deterrence,
and giving police better tools
to deal with repeat antisocial
behaviour,” said Dunlay.
The two options have been
shared with the affected
communities via Facebook
channels and email to give
feedback.
Plan to catch
speeding
motorists
on camera
BY KEES CHALMERS
Mobile cameras may be used on
Evans Pass Rd to stop speeding
drivers.
The NZ Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi is considering
using the cameras after
Heathcote Ward city councillor
Nathaniel Herz contacted it
to voice Sumner residents’
concerns about the road. There
were four serious and 12 minor
crashes along the 2km stretch
of road leading into Sumner last
year.
NZTA director of regional
relationships James Caygill said
there is currently no plan to
put a fixed camera on the road,
but it will look at suitable sites
for mobile cameras housed in
either SUVs or trailers.
"We will continue to discuss
with the elected officials and
the city council how we can
support efforts to reduce speeds
and improve safety on Evans
Pass Rd,” he said.
Sumner residents Jason
Irvine, Paul Bimler and Ian
Skelton took their concerns
about the road to the Waihoro-
Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote
Community Board at the end of
last year.
Said Bimler: “It’s a step in the
right direction, but obviously
we are looking for something
more permanent.”
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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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www.nzvanspares.co.nz
68 Falsgrave Street, Woolston,
Christchurch
E: parts@nzvanspares.co.nz
P: 03 379 3932 / 0508 698 267
www.hiluxspares.co.nz
$$ CAR REMOVALS - CASH PAID $$
CARS, VANS, UTES
& 4X4 WANTED,
NZ OWNED & OPERATED
FOR 25 YEARS
We use world class
vehicle depollution
systems
0800 77 80 80
www.pickapart.co.nz
Mobile,
we coMe
to you!
“Locals Supporting Locals”
VAuGHAN PiRie
owner operator
027 565 5577
vpbatteries@gmail.com
Vaughan Pirie
Owner Operator
027 565 5577
vpbatteries@gmail.com
www.vpbatteries.co.nz
MObile,
We cOMe
tO yOu!
Working for
a greener future

starnews.co.nz The Star, January 29, 2026
Summerset Prebbleton
Open Day
Summerset Prebbleton is a growing village with a vibrant community. Our village centre is underway,
and once complete, will feature fantastic indoor and outdoor facilities for residents to enjoy.
A range of two-bedroom villas are available with flexible pricing starting from $680,000*.
“We’ve met a lovely group of people around our age that are just like us, active and get out and
do things. We’ve made more friends now than we’ve ever done in our whole life. It was the best
decision we made” NOEL & MARIE, RESIDENTS AT SUMMERSET PREBBLETON
We know that moving to a retirement village is a big decision. So why not come along to our
Open Day, and see for yourself why our residents love the Summerset life.
Love the life you choose.
Open Day
Thursday 5 February, 10am - 2pm
Summerset Prebbleton
578 Springs Road, Prebbleton
03 353 6312 | summerset.co.nz/prebbleton
*Flexible pricing arrangements are subject to a bespoke deferred management fee. Price and stock levels correct as at 17 December 2025, only villa 84 left at this price.
All Summerset homes are sold under a licence to occupy and are subject to availability. Summerset does not offer rental accommodation. Images are indicative.
SUM9268_FP

The Star, January 29, 2026
starnews.co.nz
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.
All puzzles copyright
T H E P U Z Z L E C O M P A N Y
www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz
Sudoku