Calls for an iconic Waimakariri event
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The time is right for an iconic Waimakariri event, says a Kaiapoi business leader.
Kaiapoi Promotions Association (KPA) chairperson Martin Pinkham says such an event could put the district on the map and be eligible for government funding.
He was speaking at last week’s Waimakariri District Council audit and risk committee meeting.
He was keen to sit down with the council’s economic development arm, Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC), Rangiora Promotions and the Oxford Promotions Action Committee.
KPA’s largest event was the Kaiapoi Christmas Carnival and Santa Parade and it was planning to bring back the Kaiapoi River Carnival early next year.
ENC general manager Heather Warwick supports the idea, but said it would need to be considered carefully.
She said an event like the Selwyn Sounds would bring little benefit for Waimakariri businesses.
‘‘We need something that sells the region like the Waipara Valley Wine and Food Festival, rather than another event where people don’t have to stay the night and our retailers don’t see any benefit.’’
A lack of accommodation was one barrier for a large event.
But Warwick wondered whether there needed to be a single big iconic event.
She said Oxford had been successful with a several smaller events throughout the year.
ENC holds the regional events fund for Waimakariri, and Warwick said funding had been provisionally improved for an ‘‘exciting’’ new event centred around the Kaiapoi River in March next year.
Rangiora Promotions chairperson Ross Ditmer said he would welcome a conversation around an iconic Waimakariri event.
But he wondered whether a large event would be more sustainable if it was privately run.
‘‘We have an iconic event in Rangiora, Muscle Car Madness, which has been run for more than 30 years by a private entity.’’
He said Rangiora business owner Karl Horwarth has ‘‘had some great ideas’’ for a winter festival, a festival of colour and a light festival.
‘‘But it is a matter of who puts it together, because you can’t rely on volunteers to make it sustainable.
‘‘So, does the council take ownership of it, or do you look to private entities to run it?’’
Rangiora Promotions employs a part time events co-ordinator to run events, with volunteer support. Ditmer said the organisation’s strength is being able to run free family events, such as the outdoor cinema and fireworks event last Friday (November 25), as well as the santa parade and party in the
park.
■ Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
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