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2610 days ago

Your kindness could WIN you a prize!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We're gearing up for this year's Random Acts of Kindness Day on Friday 1st September. Neighbourly members seem to be the experts when it comes to kindness. This is why we want you to share your ideas of how to celebrate the day, or even a story of a time you've experienced an unexpected friendly gesture. It might even be something you've seen on Neighbourly!

Comment below before Monday 28th August and we'll pick THREE lucky story tellers to win a $30 Prezzy® card.

Please note: comments may be shared with your local community newspaper and used for publication.

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More messages from your neighbours
15 hours ago

No decision yet on Hanmer flyride

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

The wait continues to learn the fate of a proposed flyride at Hanmer Springs.


The Environment Court heard an appeal against a consent being granted to install and operate a gravity-based recreation activity at Conical Hill Reserve behind closed doors in Hanmer Springs in March.

A spokesperson for the court said the decision ‘‘is still with the court, at this stage we have no estimated issue date’’.

A resource consent was granted to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa by a Hurunui District Council appointed commissioner two years ago.

But it was appealed to the Environment Court by The Friends of Conical Hill Incorporated.

The hearing was first held in February last year, but was adjourned and later transferred to Hanmer Springs in March due to a lack of capacity in Christchurch.

If successful, it would be the latest adrenaline venture for the Canterbury tourist town.

During the consent process, submitters opposed to the flyride said it would have a visual impact on the recreation character, biodiversity and horse trails in the area.

Concerns were also raised about parking, traffic congestion, noise, the risk of fire, and devaluation of properties.

Supporters believed the venture would bring value and benefits to the Hanmer Springs community and the wider district, and promote the village as a fun, healthy and interactive place to visit.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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14 days ago

Kalle

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."

"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’

I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.

I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.

I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.

I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.

We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.

I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.

I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."

- Kalle

View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......

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7 days ago

Vanessa

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

“Giggly girt! Giggly girt!”

“See I got my hair cut on Friday. I've got my hair band to keep it up. See? Like this I keep it up.

Biscuit Blair - she's my favourite woman. And you. And that cheeky lady over there.

My last name is Rule. I'll write it down for you, you silly old duff.
I was born on West Coast. I moved here when I was a little girl.

I like doing pictures here that’s why I like pictures. Doing art. I like going for a walk. I come here Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

My sister, I go see her on Saturday. Have a cup of coffee, at home. She's five, nine. 59. I'm five, seven, 57. This year I'll be 58. My birthday's on a Thursday. I'm having chocolate cake and pizza. And lolly ice cream.
Some people are noisy. Nicholas, and Peter and Chris, they are my friends and that giggly girt over there.

I get headache sometimes at other work, because noisy.

I'm happy here. I could go for a walk if I want to. I'm good.”

- Vanessa, White Room Creative Spaces

The White Room is a community creative space that removes barriers to
making art. Through this, artists build confidence and connections and
embrace new opportunities.

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