Support for Kaiapoi disc golf proposal
By local democracy reporter David Hill:
Disc golf could be coming to Kaiapoi.
Advocates of the sport say they could have a nine-hole course set up in the Kaiapoi Domain within months, if they get the go ahead.
Brothers Glen, Royce and Blake Whelan, who were born and bred in Ohoka, have been playing disc golf for several years, and were keen to have a local course.
Ryan Moleta, of Ashley, fell in love with the game after playing it at Twizel as a youngster.
The players have been travelling into Christchurch each week to play disc golf at Queenspark Reserve, and other courses around the city.
The idea for a disc golf course in the Kaiapoi Domain came during lockdown when Blake Whelan was out getting some exercise.
‘‘I went past the domain and thought it would be fun to have a disc golf course there,’’ he said.
Glen Whelan said the course would cater to everyone.
‘‘You can play it as casual as you like, whereas we tend to have a bit of rivalry.’’
‘‘We are just excited at the prospect of bringing disc golf to Kaiapoi,’’ Royce Whelan said.
‘‘Because it is such a popular sport worldwide and during Covid people were watching it on YouTube.’’
The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board will consider a report at its February or March meeting, after the council completed a community survey earlier this month.
The survey attracted 143 respondents, with 90% supporting the establishment of a disc golf course in the Kaiapoi Domain.
Of the remaining 10%, the main objections included concerns for the trees in the domain and a preference for a site in the former red zone.
The disc golf players were due to meet with council greenspace staff this week to map out a proposed course which avoided heritage trees.
Moleta said having disc golf would make the domain safer for other users.
‘‘Safety is a big part of it.
‘‘We find that where there is disc golf it activates green spaces, littering and graffiti go down and people feel safer because there are people there all the time.’’
Disc golf players had a code of etiquette which included looking out for and giving way to other park users.
Any type of frisbee could be used, with the semi-professional players using ‘‘drivers’’, ‘‘putters’’ and ‘‘mid-range’’ discs (wedges), just like golfers, Moleta said.
‘‘You can get high speed discs, low flying discs, pretty ones which look cool and glow in the dark discs to play at night.’’
Should the nine-hole course prove popular, the players were keen to explore the idea of developing an 18-hole international course on former red zone land.
There was not expected to be any cost to the council, with advocates set to fundraise to pay for nine baskets, 18 sleeves and nine tee pads at a cost of around $9000.
Moleta and Blake Whelan were landscapers and planned to do most of the layout work themselves to reduce costs.
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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47.9% Yes
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50.2% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
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
www.humansofchch.org......
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