Mayors’ jobs programme extended to 2026
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury's mayors are thrilled a youth employment programme has received funding for another 12 months.
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston announced $9 million in funding last week, which will allow the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme to be extended to June 2026.
The announcement followed calls from the mayors recently for funding assurances for the programme, which helps young people get into employment, amid a rising unemployment rate.
Kaikōura district councillor Vicki Gulleford said she was pleased with the announcement.
‘‘We don't know how this will be distributed throughout the participating programmes or what the expected number of outcomes will be.
‘‘However, we are very hopeful that the strong successes Kaikōura has achieved through our previous delivery of the programme will stand us in good stead for continuing with a similar or increased contract for the next year.
‘‘Kaikoura District Council will continue to partner with Te Hā o Mātauranga to deliver the programme locally.’’
The Kaikōura MTFJ programme was contracted for 38 sustainable (at least 91 days), full-time employment placements, for the year to June 30 and placed 48 people, including 44 youth.
The Hurunui programme is contracted for 15 placements, and placed 16 young people.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said she was ‘‘thrilled there is a longer term vision to enable the programme to continue to grow’’.
‘‘The mahi is important for our young people, to remain connected, confident and contribute to our district.
‘‘This extended focus is important for our wonderful employers and our partnership with MSD.’’
The Waimakariri District Council only joined the programme at the beginning of last year, but has enjoyed some positive outcomes, Mayor Dan Gordon said.
MTFJ Waimakariri facilitator Elizabeth Trevathan said about 130 referrals or contacts from job seekers have been received in the last 12 months.
‘‘On average we have around 40 job seekers actively engaged at any one time.’’
While the Waimakariri programme was funded for 14 placements, it placed 29 people, including 26 youth in the year to June 30.
A further 20 young people have been placed into part-time, casual or fixed term employment contracts.
‘‘This programme is a great example of localism in action,’’ Gordon said.
‘‘It utilises local knowledge and relationships to help young people secure work and start careers that will help them throughout their lives.
‘‘There is a real demand and need for it and our council will be seeking to continue the programme and continue helping young people in Waimakariri.’’
The Ministry of Social Development funds the programme.
Upston said the Government’s focus is on getting people into employment and supporting community-led programmes with a proven track record.
The national unemployment rate continues to climb, reaching 4.6% in the June quarter, with young people aged 16 to 24-years the hardest hit.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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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)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.3% Yes
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14.2% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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