'A reminder to live and love': Giant heart lights up Christchurch's Port Hills
From reporter Jake Kenny:
A giant heart on Christchurch’s Port Hills made using up to 14,000 solar lights is intended to “lift spirits”, its creator says.
The illuminated heart, which is about 5 metres long and 6m wide, was first seen on the Governors Bay side of the hill about two weeks before Christmas. It is visible from Dyers Pass Rd and a few lucky households and lookouts around the bay.
Creator Louise McHaffie never intended to take credit for the heart until Stuff tracked her down. While the heart is at the uppermost point of her land, it can’t be seen from her home.
“It’s a reminder for others to live and love,” she said.
McHaffie made a smaller light heart in her garden during the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 to “lift spirits”.
She experimented with an unsuccessful sunflower version, before deciding on a huge heart higher up in the hill, just in time for Christmas 2021.
“It’s just a nice thing for people,” she said.
“I like surprises and the environment we are in at the moment ... an unexpected surprise [such as] a heart made of sparkly lights seemed a good idea.”
The heart took about 12 hours to finish over several days.
“People are struggling with how the world looks today, so it's just an unexpected thing to give a lift at the end of the day, or the start if you’re up early enough.”
Its creation required several solo missions where McHaffie carried a mixture of solar and fairy Christmas tree lights in backpacks up the hill to the site.
She was familiar with the hillside area above her property as she had walked a nearby track often in the past.
“The whole thing was that it was going to be anonymous, I like to fly under the radar. But you found me.”
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.4% Yes, it's fair
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9.9% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
House fire causing road closures
Pages Road is closed this afternoon from Breezes Road, this is due to a house that has caught fire in the area.
Coastal Ward Community Board member, Alex Hewison, shared the closure on a local Facebook page.
Fire and Emergency are at the scene but further details have not been shared at this stage.
Avoid the area where possible.
Have your say on Canterbury’s public transport
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Canterbury residents are being encouraged to have their say on public transport in the region.
Environment Canterbury has released its draft public transport plan and is seeking submissions.
The draft plan outlines a vision for public transport in the region and notes key priorities such as improving the environment, growing patronage, accessibility, innovation and technology, and affordability.
‘‘Public transport takes many forms with communities across our region,’’ councillor Peter Scott said.
‘‘With limited funding available, we need to make sure we make the best decisions to deliver a public transport network that is integrated with urban development, innovative and meets the needs of new and existing customers.
‘‘Effective public transport is the lifeline that connects us to work, school, recreation and our friends and family, so it is important we get this right.’’
The Canterbury’s population is growing and by 2050, it is projected 700,000 people will be living in Greater Christchurch.
The draft plan covers public transport for the region, which includes the Metro service (Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri), MyWay by Metro in Timaru, Total Mobility and Community Vehicle Trusts.
It was developed in partnership with local councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
Environment Canterbury has been planning to step up its public transport efforts by increasing the frequency of existing services and introducing mass rapid transport in Greater Christchurch.
But these plans have been stalled by a lack of public transport funding in the Government’s 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.
A proposal to allow people to travel with domestic pets is also included in the draft plan.
Having pets on buses has been successfully trial in other parts of New Zealand, councillor Joe Davies said.
‘‘We’re keen to understand what controls are needed for our bus users in Greater Christchurch and Timaru to be comfortable with pets on public transport.
It is proposed to allow adult passengers to bring a single pet on board, as long it is in an approved carrier at off-peak times, weekdays between 9am and 3pm or after 6pm, and during weekends.
Another proposal would loosen those restrictions in future to allow for leashed and muzzled dogs and increasing the limit to two pets per passenger.
‘‘We want to gauge how people feel about these proposals. Now is the time to have your say,’’ Davies said.
Submissions close on Thursday, October 24.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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