Waimakariri migrant family plants trees to give back to community
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Life in North Canterbury is a world away from growing up in post-revolution Iran.
Rohiyeh Faramarzi and her family have lived in Woodend for 20 years and wanted to give back to their adopted community by planting trees.
Working with the Waimakariri District Council’s greenspace team, Faramarzi was able to develop a planting project that led to a tree planting day at Rangiora’s Dudley Park last Saturday, August 27.
“With the support of the Waimakariri District Council, we have been able to create an ongoing dialogue about how we can contribute bycreating spaces in our parks where people and families can come and gather.”
Faramarzi fled her home country to escape her family’s persecution due to their Baha’i Faith.
“The persecution of the Baha’is affected the way Baha'i families and my family went about their lives.
“After the Iranian revolution, persecution intensified and Baha'is no longer had any civil rights or freedoms.
“Baha'is were arrested on false charges, land was confiscated, businesses were closed, and young Baha'is were banned from entering university.”
She moved to India where she met her husband, Shahriar Faramarzi, and after the birth of their first child they decided to move ‘‘toa smaller, quieter and more peaceful country’’.
In New Zealand, the couple’s two daughters have studied at university, completing law and engineering degrees – something Faramarzi was unable to do in Iran.
Their Baha’i Faith has always been important to them and teaches the importance of serving “communities to uplift them and make them better”.
Last year the couple decided to do something to mark 100 years since the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Faramarzi said she was inspired to think about the natural environment, leading to the tree planting project.
“Planting trees really comes from a desire to uplift and beautify our shared surroundings. Our environment reminds us how connected we are as a human family.
“We all benefit from a healthy, safe environment and we also have a responsibility to contribute to it.”
Riddle Me This: Can You Out-Smart Yesterday’s Champ?
How can the number four be half of five?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Proposed Canterbury landfill faces huge opposition
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
More than 500 submissions have been received in response to a proposed managed fill landfill in North Canterbury.
Christchurch-based Protranz International Ltd has applied to Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council for resource consents to establish and operate a quarry and landfill operation at White Rock.
Waimakariri District Council planning manager Wendy Harris said the applicant was up against ‘‘probably the most organised local group I’ve ever seen’’.
‘‘They organised a protest march, they’ve got signs all around and they’ve got a website and a Facebook page.’’
She said the 548 submissions was more than the 421 submissions to the draft Waimakariri District Plan, which was notified in 2021.
A proposed housing development at Ohoka, near Rangiora, in 2022 received 630 submissions.
While the details of the submissions have yet to be released, it is understood the majority are opposed.
Harris said planners from the two councils will plan joint hearings early next year.
More than 100 people marched from Southbrook in Rangiora to the Waimakariri District Council lawn in High St in September to express their opposition.
Organiser Mike McCaleb said residents are concerned about the potential environmental damage to the Karetu River, which feeds into the Okuku River, and then the Ashley/Rakahuri River.
He said he was surprised there were not more submissions but said he was aware of several people who had issues with Environment Canterbury’s website timing out.
‘‘It will be interesting to see the details of the submissions.’’
Protranz is seeking to restore the Whiterock Quarry, at 150 and 174 Quarry Rd, North Loburn, to near its previous landform, by filling it with managed fill, building and demolition waste and contaminated soil material, including asbestos.
The company bought Whiterock Quarry in 2022 with plans to fill it with soils and inert construction rubble removed from building and land development sites in Christchurch and North Canterbury, which are sent to Kate Valley Landfill.
‘‘Sending this stuff to Kate Valley adds a massive cost to developers, homeowners and community organisations who have dirt to move, and fills Kate Valley with material that can be better managed somewhere else,’’ Protranz founder Gerard Daldry said.
He said Protranz commissioned a wide range of testing including site investigations, technical assessments and design of the managed fill to support the resource consent applications.
The reports found environmental risks were ‘‘extremely low and able to be mitigated’’, Daldry said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84.3% Yes
-
14.2% No
-
1.5% Other - I'll share below
Loading…
