Pegasus Post: February 12, 2026

FOR LOCAL ADVERTISING
Jenny Wright
Ph: 021 220 3484
jenny@alliedmedia.co.nz
Consent granted
for long-awaited
The Star, January 23, 2025
starnews.co.nz
estuary flood
protection project
The Star, January 23, 2025
starnews.co.nz
The long-awaited project
to build erosion and flood
protection structures along Te
Ihutai/Avon-Heathcote Estuary
edge The in Star, Southshore January 23, and 2025South
New Brighton is set to begin,
following the approval of
resource consent last week.
“We aim to start construction
in October 2026, following
the bird roosting season, and
expect a roughly 16-month
build The time,” Star, January said city 23, 2025 council
red zone manager Dave Little.
“Key design changes agreed
during the consenting process
include a ‘soft beach’ trial at
South New Brighton Park,
full removal of old retaining
structures rather than partial
encapsulation, and refined
estuary access points,” Little
said.
“Looking ahead to the
construction phase, we expect
landward works like the bund
and paths to move quickly,
while the coastal edge work
will proceed more slowly
to minimise impacts on the
estuary’s internationally
significant bird populations and
delicate ecology.
“We look forward to
continuing our close
collaboration with the
community via the SSRA
throughout the detailed design
phase this year,” he said.
The resource consent,
granted jointly by Environment
Canterbury and the city council,
will last 20 years, providing
immediate protection while
long-term climate adaptation
strategies are developed.
This milestone follows
years of preparatory work,
including the city council’s 2019
resolution to assume leadership
of the project and the 2020
handover of the Southshore
red-zoned land from the Crown
(LINZ) to the city council.
starnews.co.nz
starnews.co.nz
Resource consent has been granted to build erosion and flood protection structures Te Ihutai/Avon-Heathcote Estuary edge
in Southshore and South New Brighton.
PHOTO: CCC
The city council had previously
approved a $12.5 million
programme of work to mitigate
erosion and flooding in the area.
The approved consent
relates to the construction of
coastal erosion and inundation
protections such as gabion
baskets, cobble beaches, rock
revetments and inundation
bunds. These measures are
designed to restore flood
protection to pre-earthquake
levels.
With the resource consent
now granted, the first half of
this year will focus on detailed
design, meeting all consent
certification requirements,
and tendering the construction
works.
FLOORING
Made Simple
Over 45 Years
Experience!
• Carpet, Vinyl, Mats & Mat Binding
• Full Laminate and Timber Supply
& Installation
• Short End Rolls of Vinyl & Carpet
• Rugs Made to Measure
BEST PRICE, HONEST ADVICE, WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED!
Hours: Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm
Unit 3, 183 Bower Ave, North New Brighton
Ph: 03 388 6643 or 027 827 3360
independent@independentflooring.co.nz
Restoring your confidence through your smile
Full service Denture Clinic
and Laboratory
Caldent Denture Cleaner
Free Consultation
No Obligation
Ph: 385 5517 + 396 Innes Road, St Albans
Ph: 327 0077 + 123 Williams St, Kaiapoi
admin@denturesplus.co.nz
+ denturesplus.co.nz
72 Brighton Mall, New Brighton
Phone: 03 388 1809
www.paperplus.co.nz
Locally owned. Friendly people. Great advice.
PREMIUM
TYRES & AUTO
• New & secondhand tyres
New tyres from $105, Secondhand tyres from $40
FREE fitting & balancing on all tyres sold by us
• Vehicle servicing from $150
• Punctures only $40 for most vehicles
• Brake pads from only $160 fitted
• WOFs • Oil Changes • Alignments
222 LINWOOD AVE
(Beside Burger King)
Phone: (03) 380 5020
or mob: 027 364 1990
MON - FRI 8am - 5pm
SAT 9am - 2pm
GO THERE!!

The Star, February 12, 2026
starnews.co.nz
What does it take to become
Ever wondered what a day in
the life of a Customs officer
at Christchurch Airport or
Lyttelton Port is like? Reporter
Al Williams finds out
Customs officers surround
a luggage carousel as the
first morning flight into
Christchurch arrives from
Singapore.
Some officers are on the move
while others stand and observe
the passengers in a scene
similar to the television show
Border Patrol.
We’ve been led through a
series of security doors to get a
bird’s-eye view of the 100 or so
staff who protect the borders at
Christchurch Airport.
And while the staff are on a
first-name basis with partnering
agencies at the airport, such
as police and the Ministry for
Primary Industries, most don’t
want to share their full names
with us.
It’s understandable. They take
their jobs seriously and have
genuine concerns for their privacy,
given the nature of their
work.
We observe officers not only
stopping, questioning and talking
to travellers, but also being
stopped by travellers with a
multitude of questions.
Supervising officer Karyn is
the first to greet us.
She is wary of us at first but
soon opens up, saying she has
Customs officer and dog handler Hannah on duty as a Singapore flight arrives.
PHOTOS: JOSEPH JOHNSON
had two stints in the service.
She says the risk posed by
passengers selected for further
assessment is again narrowed
down by officers who ask the
passengers a series of questions,
resulting in a smaller
number being referred for a
luggage search.
The physical risk assessment
of a passenger on arrival can
involve being questioned by a
Customs officer, detector dogs,
an X-ray and searches.
In the 2024/25 year, 6.8 million
international travellers arrived
in New Zealand.
Of this, 132,943 (about 2%)
were selected for further risk
assessment.
Following a further risk
assessment process, 10,662 travellers
were actually subjected to
baggage searches.
Karyn joined Customs straight
out of school in Christchurch
in 1978, before taking a break
to have children in 1987 and
returning in 2003.
She jokes that she was too
short to join the police.
She put aside the perception
people have of Customs from
reality television shows.
“There is a whole lot of work
aside from inspections.
“There are other areas, investigations,
intelligence, trade,
service and delivery, all these
things have to be cleared.”
Karyn said there is also a
stack of administration work as
everything has to be accounted
for. The administrative aspect
is reflected in the service’s
recently released 2024/25
New Zealand Customs Service
Annual Report.
It is a massive operation with
$285 million in funding from
the Crown, border-processing
levies and goods fees.
There is also a stack of revenue,
with $17.8 billion collected
on behalf of the Crown.
Most of the operating expenditure
is for risk assessment,
clearing and processing passengers
and goods as they cross
the border, and the collection of
Crown tax revenue.
In 2024/25, it was quantified
by the 9.3 tonnes of illicit drugs
which were prevented from
reaching communities through
seizures at our border and by
overseas partners.
There were also 31.8 million
import transactions and
four million export transactions,
with 98.1% of goods risk
assessed and cleared within five
minutes.
More than 8% of the riskbased
baggage searches of
passengers and crew resulted
in the identification of prohibited
or restricted items, or items
requiring duty payments.
Customs processed 13.4
million arriving and departing
passengers. It also intercepted
nine tonnes of illicit tobacco,
representing $17.7m in foregone
revenue.
And its response to 973
reports of cross-border online
child exploitation offending
resulted in 18 arrests.
Several thousand other people
work for Christchurch
Airport alongside Karyn.
The airport operation has
60 staff with a total of 120
employed across the city, she
said.
Customs is an enforcement
agency, and with that comes
rank.
Karyn said it takes years
to move through the ranks
and people shift between
departments.
Staff are mindful discretion is
a key part of the job, she says.
A lot of the intelligence work
is led by overseas liaison officers
in cities, including London,
Bangkok and Beijing.
“Quite often, a lot of it is
stopped before it comes here.”
The annual report stated
transnational organised crime
groups pose a significant threat
through escalating attempts to
smuggle drugs, weapons, and
other prohibited goods into the
country.
From Europe alone, $204.8m
in potential harm to New Zealand
was stopped by overseas
illicit drug interceptions.
New Zealand’s high prices
and demand for drugs,
Learn CPR for your loved one
This free training is designed to give you the confidence to take
action if someone suffers a cardiac arrest by:
More
informatıon
Calling 111
Step one
Starting CPR
Step two
Using an AED
Step three
You can pick up a...
from the listed locations
Burwood Hospital
300 Burwood Road, Burwood
Challenge South Shore
60 Bridge Street, South New Brighton
Countdown New Brighton
12 Hawke Street, New Brighton
Countdown Palms Mall
Cnr Marshland &
New Brighton Road, Shirley
Fresh Choice Parklands
60 Queenspark Drive, Parklands
Linwood Library / Eastgate Mall
180 Smith Street, Woolston
New World Prestons
420 Marshland Road, Marshlands
Pak’nSave Wainoni
174 Wainoni Road, Wainoni
Star Media
Level 1, 359 Lincoln Road, Addington

starnews.co.nz The Star, February 12, 2026
a border Customs officer?
particularly methamphetamine
and cocaine, make it an attractive
target.
Notable seizures during the
year included 150kg of cocaine
in duffel bags in a container on
a ship from Jamaica and 130kg
of cocaine packed in duffel bags
in a shipping container from
Italy. The largest seizure of the
year was 450kg of methamphetamine
hidden inside steel
beams from the United States in
September 2024.
The report says New Zealand
has seen a sustained escalation
in the volume of illicit drugs
being seized at the border.
Wastewater testing by
PHF Science and reporting
by the National Drug Intelligence
Bureau indicate there
was considerable growth in
methamphetamine use in the
community between July and
October 2024. This growth was
largely sustained throughout
2025.
It also shows there has been
a rise in the use of cocaine.
Increased production in South
America has led to a surplus
supply.
The report shows organised
crime groups are targeting
New Zealand’s supply chains to
transport their products.
“They insert people in key
roles at ports and airports, or
compromise people already
in those roles, who can bypass
security measures and divert
goods before they reach Customs
screening areas,” the
Customs officers check passengers luggage at Christchurch Airport.
report found.
In late November, police laid
nearly 200 criminal charges
against gang associates who
allegedly helped a criminal
syndicate smuggle illicit drugs
aboard international flights.
Twenty search warrants were
carried out by police’s national
organised crime group and Customs,
with eight Brotherhood
28 MC gang associates arrested.
Among them was the gang’s
president.
Additional data shows Customs
seized about two tonnes of
methamphetamine and 700kg
of cocaine between January and
October last year.
Offshore partners also
seized about a tonne of
methamphetamine and 300kg
of cocaine destined for our
shores in the same period.
“We are trying to identify the
high risk,” Karyn said.
The pressure is on during the
summer months, Karyn says.
“Summer is going to be
busier. People need to be aware
that they are not the only ones
travelling.”
For Christchurch Airport,
that means increased flights to
and from Asia and Australia.
These can be charter flights,
delegations and even bands
arriving with tonnes of gear.
“All that stuff has to be
cleared. You might get charters
with seasonal workers – it takes
time to process them.”
Rob is a technical specialist
in detector dog training. He
said the dogs, all labradors,
work and live alongside the
officers. There are five dog
handlers in the South Island
who are deployed on a riskbased
system. “We look at
the latest seizures, how it is
being found, we are looking
at the opportunities. We move
around. The airport is just the
tip of the iceberg.”
Rob said the job involves shift
work and officers have to prove
themselves to rise up the ranks.
“You have to pass
requirements to get your
stripes.
Long-serving officer Neville
Brown joined in 1975 when
Customs was based at the Old
Government
Building in
Cathedral
Square.
“There was
no team at the
airport, there
weren’t as many
Neville Brown
flights. The guys
would jump in a
van and go to the airport when
a plane was arriving.”
Brown started out looking at
shipping documents. He moved
into investigations, looking at
fraud and tax evasion. Brown
has also been based in Lyttelton
where he searched ships. From
there, he moved to the airport,
where he recalls catching one of
the Mr Asia operatives.
Brown says the man had a
bank deposit slip made out
to a person of interest in the
Martin Johnstone, known as Mr Asia,
was at the centre of a large heroin
syndicate in the 1970s.
syndicate. A body search
revealed a hidden package of
heroin.
“There’s no heroin anymore,
it’s now meth and cocaine by
the kilos.”
At 70, Brown is not planning
to retire yet.
Emma, the chief officer of
the Lyttelton team, showed us
around the port operations.
The Christchurch port team
also looks after Timaru. She says
a lot of reporting is now done
via cellphones.
“The world has changed so
much, the cost of living and
drugs – crime is huge.”
The Lyttelton operation is
staffed by 11 officers. She says
it is important for her staff
to be visible in the seaside
community. There was also a
common theme – all Customs
staffers spoken to say they are
proud of protecting the border.
Andrew Swift
LICENSED SALES CONSULTANT REAA 2008
Great communication and professionalism
Andrew has always been very helpful and professional in his
dealings with us. He is extremely knowledgeable about the
market and his calm and patient personality seems to help a lot,
in our opinion. He takes care of the property like his own while it
is in the sales process. We highly recommend Andrew.
- Rahul and Alika -
Get in touch today!
Andrew: 027 431 9621 | andrew.swift@harcourtsgold.co.nz

The Star, February 12, 2026
starnews.co.nz
TRADE TOOLS &
SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC
CALL IN
AND SEE US
TODAY!
2026 Draw
40 Hammersmith Dr, Wigram
Phone 03 982 0443
www.totalsitesupplies.co.nz
ROUND 1
FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY
19:05 Highlanders v Crusaders
21:35 Waratahs v Reds
ROUND 2
FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY
19:05 Hurricanes v Moana Pasifika
21:35 Waratahs v Fijian Drua
ROUND 3
FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY
19:05 Moana Pasifika v Force
21:35 Reds v Highlanders
SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY
16:35 Fijian Drua v Moana Pasifika
19:05 Blues v Chiefs
21:35 Force v Brumbies
SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY
19:05 Highlanders v Chiefs
21:35 Force v Blues
SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY
15:35 Crusaders v Brumbies
SATURDAY 28 MARCH
16:35 Fijian Drua v Hurricanes
19:05 Chiefs v Crusaders
21:35 Brumbies v Blues
Bye: Hurricanes
Bye: Reds
Bye: Waratahs
ROUND 7
ROUND 8
ROUND 9
FRIDAY 27 MARCH
19:05 Moana Pasifika v Highlanders
21:35 Brumbies v Waratahs
SATURDAY 28 MARCH
16:35 Hurricanes v Reds
19:05 Blues v Fijian Drua
21:35 Force v Chiefs
FRIDAY 3 APRIL
19:05 Crusaders v Fijian Drua
SATURDAY 4 APRIL
19:05 Chiefs v Waratahs
21:35 Reds v Force
FRIDAY 10 APRIL
19:05 Highlanders v Brumbies
SATURDAY 11 APRIL
14:05 Moana Pasifika v Chiefs
16:35 Fijian Drua v Force
19:05 Hurricanes v Blues
21:35 Reds v Crusaders
Bye: Crusaders
Bye: Brumbies, Blues, Highlanders,
Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika
Bye: Waratahs
ROUND 13
ROUND 14
ROUND 15
Buyers and
sellers of
recycled and
new building
materials
FRIDAY 8 MAY
19:05 Crusaders v Blues
21:35 Reds v Chiefs
SATURDAY 9 MAY
16:35 Highlanders v Waratahs
19:05 Moana Pasifika v Hurricanes
21:35 Brumbies v Force
FRIDAY 15 MAY
19:05 Chiefs v Highlanders
SATURDAY 16 MAY
16:35 Fijian Drua v Waratahs
19:05 Blues v Hurricanes
21:35 Force v Reds
FRIDAY 22 MAY
19:05 Crusaders v Chiefs
21:35 Waratahs v Brumbies
SATURDAY 23 MAY
16:35 Moana Pasifika v Reds
19:05 Hurricanes v Highlanders
21:35 Force v Fijian Drua
3 Musgrove Close, Wigram
www.musgroves.co.nz
03 322 7922
Bye: Fijian Drua
Bye: Brumbies, Crusaders,
Moana Pasifika
Bye: Blues
Hook up witH
tHe snow cHain
specialist
need a new roof?
FREE FittinG
& aDViCE
keeping your family safe
wE sEll & Fit
snow CHains
to anY
VEHiClE
bUYinG
snow CHains
FRoM Us
is as CHEaP
as HiRinG
tHe cHain Man ltD
100% nZ owneD anD opeRateD
Unit 1 - 1 Cass st. sYDEnHaM. CHCH
PH: 03 366 1528
E: sales@chainman.co.nz • www.chainman.co.nz
• Driveways
• Earthquake repairs
• New Home Specialists
• Patios & Paths
tel: 0508 873 7483
email: sales@affordableconcrete.co.nz
www.affordableconcrete.co.nz
FEAST MORE
PAY LESS!
1 DINES FREE
AT VALENTINES HORNBY
DINE 4, GET 1 FREE
GIVING VALUE BACK TO YOU
OPEN DAILY MONDAY - SUNDAY 10.00AM - 9.00PM
7/11 Chalmers Street, Hornby, Christchurch
We can replace your old concrete
tile, deco tile or old corrugate roof.
Free measure
and quote.
For a quality
job contact us.
163 ShandS road, hornby
Ph: 03 349 8439 | www.roofline.co.nz

1
starnews.co.nz The Star, February 12, 2026
ON NOW
ON NOW
ON NOW
5 February - 4 March
ENDS 4 MARCH
5 February - 4 March
5 February - 4 March
Prices valid until 4th March 2026.
Only while stocks last. Accessories not included.
Mitre 10 MEGA Prestons
390 Prestons Road. Christchurch
Phone: 03 373 6555
Find us at: /MEGAPrestons
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday:
7am – 7pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays:
7am – 7pm
www.mitre10.co.nz/Mega-Prestons
PRESTONS

1
The Star, February 12, 2026
starnews.co.nz
Stanley Fatmax Cordless Line
Trimmer & Blower Kit 2 Piece
SKU: 366962
ON NOW
Karcher K3 Plus Waterblaster
SKU: 348789
5 February SAVE- 4 March
$100
Stanley Fatmax V20 Cordless Hedge
Trimmer Kit 550mm
SKU: 363962
Only Was $299
$249
$199
Was $289
$249
SAVE
$40
Fuller Pro Socket Set with Tools
160 Piece 1/2 Inch & 1/2 Inch
SKU: 2045466
Was $258
SAVE
$100
$158
HiKOKI 18V Multi Tool Skin
SKU: 2022696
Only
$449
Black+Decker Random Orbital Sander
230 watt 125mm
SKU: 348331
Only
$40
Prices valid until 4th March 2026.
Only while stocks last. Accessories not included.
Mitre 10 MEGA Prestons
390 Prestons Road. Christchurch
Phone: 03 373 6555
Find us at: /MEGAPrestons
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday:
7am – 7pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays:
7am – 7pm
www.mitre10.co.nz/Mega-Prestons
PRESTONS

1
starnews.co.nz The Star, February 12, 2026
Lawnmaster 26cc Petrol
Bent Shaft Line Trimmer
SKU: 2010625
ON NOW
Black+Decker 18V POWERCONNECT
Drill Driver Kit 2.0Ah
SKU: 2030160
5 February - 4 March
DeWALT Compact Series Tape
Measure 8m 8m
SKU: 400057
Was $169 Was $119
$129
$89
Was $25.98
$18
Bosch Cordless Air Compressor
Pump 3.6 Volt, USB-C
SKU: 386178
Werner Double-Sided Ladder 5
Step 120kg
SKU: 2072062
Lawnmaster 21V Hand Saw
Pruner Kit
SKU: 2024800
Was $129 Was $199
$89
$99
$149
Prices valid until 4th March 2026.
Only while stocks last. Accessories not included.
Mitre 10 MEGA Prestons
390 Prestons Road. Christchurch
Phone: 03 373 6555
Find us at: /MEGAPrestons
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday:
7am – 7pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays:
7am – 7pm
www.mitre10.co.nz/Mega-Prestons
PRESTONS

1
The Star, February 12, 2026
starnews.co.nz
NOW OPEN!
Was $699
$249
Come & discover our new store!
390 Prestons Road, Christchurch.
DON’T MISS OUT THIS GRAND OPENING WEEKEND
DON’T MISS OUT THIS GRAND OPENING WEEKEND
BE IN TO WIN A
Was $2799
$1422
$5,000
$5,000
BE IN TO WIN A
Mitre 10 Store Card
Mitre 10 Store Card
at Mitre 10
at Mitre 10
Spend $50 or more in-store at Mitre 10 Prestons, enter your unique
code online and go into the draw to win a $5000 Mitre 10 Store Card.
Spend $50 or more in-store at Mitre 10 Prestons, enter your unique
Promotion ends 7:00pm 15 February 2026. To enter the competition and for full T&C’s visit mitre10.co.nz/mega-prestons
code online and go into the draw to win a $5000 Mitre 10 Store Card.
ENDS 15 FEBRUARY
Promotion ends 7:00pm 15 February 2026. To enter the competition and for full T&C’s visit mitre10.co.nz/mega-prestons
Prices valid until 4th March 2026.
Only while stocks last. Accessories not included.
Mitre 10 MEGA Prestons
390 Prestons Road. Christchurch
Phone: 03 373 6555
Find us at: /MEGAPrestons
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday:
7am – 7pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays:
7am – 7pm
www.mitre10.co.nz/Mega-Prestons
PRESTONS

starnews.co.nz The Star, February 12, 2026
Templeton Barber
Haircuts for the whole family
Walk in - no appointment required
ROUND 4
FRIDAY 6 MARCH
19:05 Chiefs v Moana Pasifika
21:35 Waratahs v Hurricanes
SATURDAY 7 MARCH
16:35 Highlanders v Force
19:05 Blues v Crusaders
21:35 Brumbies v Reds
ROUND 5
FRIDAY 13 MARCH
19:05 Hurricanes v Force
SATURDAY 14 MARCH
16:35 Fijian Drua v Brumbies
19:05 Crusaders v Highlanders
21:35 Reds v Waratahs
SUNDAY 15 MARCH
15:35 Blues v Moana Pasifika
Bye: Fijian Drua Bye: Chiefs Bye: Force
ROUND 6
FRIDAY 20 MARCH
19:05 Highlanders v Hurricanes
21:35 Brumbies v Chiefs
SATURDAY 21 MARCH
16:35 Fijian Drua v Reds
19:05 Moana Pasifika v Crusaders
21:35 Waratahs v Blues
729a Main South Rd, Templeton
Ph Di 027 617 8928
HOURS
Tues & Wed 8am to 5.30pm
Thurs 8am to 6pm
Fri 8am to 5.30pm
Sat 8am to 1pm
DRIVE THE TREND
ROUND 10
FRIDAY 17 APRIL
19:05 Blues v Highlanders
21:35 Waratahs v Moana Pasifika
SATURDAY 18 APRIL
19:05 Chiefs v Hurricanes
21:35 Brumbies v Fijian Drua
23:55 Force v Crusaders
ROUND 16
FRIDAY 29 MAY
19:05 Crusaders v Hurricanes
21:35 Reds v Fijian Drua
SATURDAY 30 MAY
16:35 Brumbies v Moana Pasifika
19:05 Chiefs v Blues
21:35 Force v Waratahs
ROUND 11
FRIDAY 24 APRIL
19:35 Crusaders v Waratahs
SATURDAY 25 APRIL
17:05 Hurricanes v Brumbies
19:35 Blues v Reds
SUNDAY 26 APRIL
14:00 Highlanders v Moana Pasifika
16:30 Chiefs v Fijian Drua
Bye: Reds Bye: Force Bye: Chiefs
Bye: Highlanders
______ _____________ v _____________ 2nd ______ vs 5th _____________ v _____________
1st vs 6th
______ _____________ v _____________ ______ _____________ v _____________
3rd vs 4th
______ _____________ v _____________ 2nd ______ vs 3rd _____________ v _____________
1st vs 4th
______
1st vs 2nd
QUALIFYING FINALS
SEMI FINALS
Grand FINAL
_____________ v _____________
ROUND 12
FRIDAY 1 MAY
19:05 Hurricanes v Crusaders
21:35 Waratahs v Force
SATURDAY 2 MAY
16:35 Fijian Drua v Highlanders
19:05 Moana Pasifika v Blues
21:35 Reds v Brumbies
Rejects 99% of UV
Deep black colour tint
Lifetime Nationwide Warranty*
*Warranty terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
40 Buchan Street, Christchurch
(03) 377 7717
PREMIUM
TYRES & AUTO
• New & secondhand tyres
New tyres from $105, Secondhand tyres from $40
FREE fitting & balancing on all tyres sold by us
• Vehicle servicing from only $150
• Punctures from $40 for most vehicles
• Brake pads from only $160 fitted
• WOFs • Oil Changes • Alignments
GO THERE!!
HOURS:
MON - FRI 8am - 5pm,
SAT 9am - 2pm
222 LINWOOD AVE
(Beside Burger King)
Phone: (03) 380 5020
or mob: 027 364 1990
Molly
the dog
Your wheel specialist
• Tyres
• Rims
• Spare Wheels
• Caravan Wheels
• Puncture Repair
• Wheel Alignment
8c Birmingham Dr
Middleton
Christchurch
03 343 0099
Watch &
Jewellery Repairs
• Replacement batteries
fitted from $15
• Strap replacement
WE ARE OPEN:
Monday to Friday 8am-5pm
& Saturday 9am-1pm
Closed long weekends & public holidays
WARREN agencies
Jewellery & Giftware
79 Wrights Road, Middleton
Ph: (03) 338 0171
sales@warrenagencies.co.nz
ONSITE
CAR
PARKING
Calling all van lovers,
4wd junkies &
ute enthusiasts!
HIACE & HILUX PARTS & EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Now dismantling
Isuzu D-Max
OPEN
SATURDAYS
8am - 12pm
68 Falsgrave Street, Waltham, Christchurch
email: parts@nzvanspares.co.nz
phone: 03 379 3932 / 0508 698 267
New improved website
www.nzvanspares.co.nz

The Star, February 12, 2026
starnews.co.nz
The Way
We Were
FEMALE APPRENTICESHIPS
Securing an apprenticeship
could be difficult if you were
female.
In 1930, the Arbitration
Court refused to grant an
application for an apprenticeship
contract for 14-year-old
Cicely Holmes, who had been
employed as an apprentice
printer by the Waikuku News.
It was not a question of law
but of general principles, the
judge said, with the Master
Printers Association and various
unions having “set their
faces against the employment
of female workers”.
The Apprenticeship Act was
overhauled in 1983, with the
Government introducing a
subsidy to encourage employers
to take on women. For all
trades other than hairdressing,
employers of female
apprentices would receive
$20 a week throughout the
first year of training.
Apprentice mechanic Sian
Luckie topped her class in
automotive engineering in
1986 for the second year in
a row. Her employer told
the Press Association he did
not know he had taken on a
woman until he came back to
work after a bout of the flu
and his wife informed him.
Luckie said she was “grateful”
for the break after rejections
from other firms.
Over the years, female
apprentices took out national
awards in many trades, in
spite of disproportionate
representation. Apprentice
bookbinder Jane Horrick was
the first woman to win an
outstanding printing apprenticeship
award in 1977, while
Louise Stella (below), NZ’s
first “craftsman” plumber,
achieved highest equal marks
in her trade certificate examinations
in 1991.
Stella told The Press: “I
wanted a job with variety and
one that would use body and
brains. Also I saw plumbing
as having slightly more job
security than some.”
Apprentice spray painter Brenda Leaf applying enamel to a tractor at Sockburn
Motors and apprentice fitter and turner Lyn Boddington at Herbert Drill, both in
1977. Above right – Rebecca Downes at the end of her 8000 hours as an apprentice
woodturner in 1987.
PHOTOS: CHRISTCHURCH STAR, CANTERBURYSTORIES.NZ
Left – Apprentice
mechanic Heather
McMillan at Lane
Walker Rudkin Hosiery
Ltd in 1978. Right –
Cabinet maker Denise
King at Howard
Smith Ltd in 1980
after completing her
apprenticeship.
Painting apprentices Sonja Tippin
and Donna Haupapa in 1976.
Summer
Specials
90%
SUBSIDY
WARMER KIWI HOMES
PROGRAMME
*Eligibility criteria apply
• We will offer you the best quality brands and option of
heat pump for your home/business
• Providing Heat Pump solutions for over 20 years to
Cantabrians
• We personally guarantee all our products & installs
for 5 years (Providing annual maintenance has been completed by us)
PHONE US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION & QUOTE
“A local team for local people”
41A SHAKESPEARE RD, WALTHAM
PH: 03 366 0525
www.enviromaster.co.nz
ADVERTORIAL
Enviro Master helping
Cantabrians
Enviro Master has been helping
Cantabrians get the balance right when it
comes to choosing the perfect heat pump or
air conditioning system for their home or
office since 2002.
Their team of expert sales people, qualified
electricians, heating and refrigeration
engineers, help to supply and install one of
Christchurch’s widest range of heat pumps
including Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electric,
Daikin and Fujitsu. Because they have no
affiliation with any one brand, you can be
assured their advice on the benefits and
differences between each product is unbiased.
They will recommend the most energyefficient
and cost-effective system for your
individual situation, and will have you
regulating the heat in your home or office in
no time.
Nowadays, customers are often wanting
whole home solutions to be able to maintain
even temperatures throughout the home both
in Winter and Summer. This can be achieved
by using ducted systems or multi systems
and Enviro Master are experts in designing,
installing and commissioning these systems.
Help is currently available with a
government subsidy offering 90 per cent of
the cost of a new heat pump up to $3450
including GST.
The subsidy is part of the Warmer Kiwi
Homes initiative and is available to Home
owner/occupiers with a Community Services
Card, a SuperGold combo card or who live in
a low-income area as determined by deciles
9-10 on the New Zealand Deprivation Index.
The applicant’s home must also have been
built before 2008, have insulation up to code
(insulation subsidies also available) and have
no fixed heating in any living area, such as an
existing operational heat pump or fireplace.
To ensure you choose the right system
for your home or business, one of Enviro
Master’s experts will visit to assess your
individual situation, offer advice and answer
any questions you may have.
This consultation is at no cost to the
customer and is always provided before a
heat pump is installed.
Anyone wondering about their eligibility
for a subsidised heat pump are welcome to
get in touch for details and help with the
application process.
* To find out more, call Enviro Master
on (03) 366 0525 or visit their website
www.enviromaster.co.nz
“A local team for local people”

starnews.co.nz The Star, February 12, 2026
NEW
FINISHER
MEDAL
FOR EVERYONE!
15 MARCH 2026
ENTER
A TEAM
BOOK A
HOSPITALITY
SITE
12KM OR 6KM
CHOOSE YOUR
DISTANCE
TOGETHER
ADULT ENTRIES AVAILABLE AT
CANTERBURY FRESHCHOICE STORES
While stocks last.
OR ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.CITY2SURF.CO.NZ
WIN!
Flights to the
Sydney City2Surf!
BE IN TO
WIN!
GREAT PRIZES
SUPPORTING CHARITY

The Star, February 12, 2026
starnews.co.nz
CHRISTCHURCH
CREMATORIUM
FUNERALS
CROSSWORD
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9
10 11
12 13
14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21
437
SUDOKU
Every row, column and box should
contain the digits 1 to 9.
WordBuilder
WORDBUILDER
T
W R
Y D A
6
337 337
Y D A
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 18 each Very letter Good only 24 once? Excellent No 30 foreign
No words beginning with a capital are
words or words beginning with a capital are
allowed. Solution 336: There’s enter, ere, at erne, least neep, one net, pee, six-letter peen,
allowed. peer, pen, There's pent, per, at pert, least pet, one pre, six-letter preen, rent, word. rep,
word. REPENT, ret, rete, tee, TODAY teen, ten, tern, tree.
Good 18 Very Good 24 Excellent 30
letters, including plurals, can you make
Solution 336: enter, ere, erne, neep, net, pee, peen,
peer, pen, pent, per, pert, pet, pre, preen, rent, rep,
REPENT, ret, rete, tee, teen, ten, tern, tree.
22 23 24 25 26
27 28
29
Across
1. Trait (14)
10. Legal defence (5)
11. First course of an Italian meal (9)
12. Marital (7)
13. Minor illness (7)
14. Decipher (5)
16. Bargain, haggle (9)
19. A special right or honour (9)
20. Preside over a meeting (5)
22. Shut out (7)
25. Prove superior (7)
27. Uncomfortable (3,2,4)
28. Stadium (5)
29. Enthusiastically (14)
Decoder
Down
2. The common people (3,6)
3. Traces (5)
4. Question or dispute something (9)
5. Minor actor in crowd scenes (5)
6. Unwise (9)
7. Flavour (5)
8. Laugh (7)
9. Syrup made from blackcurrants
(6)
15. Code of behaviour (9)
17. Ursa Major (5,4)
18. Warning sound (5,4)
19. Forewarning (7)
21. Warm again (6)
23. String instrument (5)
24. Dodge (5)
26. Picture (5)
Crossword
Across: 1. Characteristic, 10. Alibi, 11. Antipasto, 12. Spousal, 13. Ailment,
14. Solve, 16. Negotiate, 19. Privilege, 20. Chair, 22. Exclude, 25. Triumph,
27. Ill at ease, 28. Arena, 29. Wholeheartedly.
Down: 2. Hoi polloi, 3. Reins, 4. Challenge, 5. Extra, 6. Impolitic, 7. Taste,
8. Chortle, 9. Cassis, 15. Etiquette, 17. Great Bear, 18. Alarm bell, 19.
Preview, 21. Reheat, 23. Cello, 24. Evade, 26. Image.
WordBuilder
Art, arty, awry, dart, daw, day, drat, draw, dray, dry, rad, rat, raw, ray, rya,
tad, tar, tardy, taw, TAWDRY, trad, tray, try, wad, war, ward, wart, warty,
wary, way, wry, yard, yaw.
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
CHRISTCHURCH
CREMATORIUM
FUNERALS