Hurunui District , Amberley

865 days ago

Do you know a greenfingered hero in your community?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will… View more
Dear neighbours,

NZ Gardener together with Ryman Healthcare is once again looking for greenfingered good sorts – individuals or groups who use their gardening skills to help others. Tell us about the great gardeners doing right by your community, and they could be one of five finalists who will feature in the October magazine!

There are some amazing prizes up for grabs, so if you know a homegrown hero who is using their gardening skills for the greater good, nominate them now for Ryman Healthcare 2022 Gardener of the Year!

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865 days ago

Wedding Season Bookings

Tina from Kaikoura

Really Happy to have Couples coming back to Kaikoura for their very "Special" Day and why wouldn't they...Whether it be beside the Sea with the beautiful Mountains backdrop or on the Mountains with the backdrop of the Sea.... It's Special...Bookings are coming in now so … View moreReally Happy to have Couples coming back to Kaikoura for their very "Special" Day and why wouldn't they...Whether it be beside the Sea with the beautiful Mountains backdrop or on the Mountains with the backdrop of the Sea.... It's Special...Bookings are coming in now so don't miss out on your preferred Date...
mble: 0273582707
email: stringertina2@gmail.com
I can't wait to start designing Your Ceremony...

865 days ago

Enviro Painters Limited

Enviro Painters Ltd

Enviro Painters Ltd are a professional and friendly company that prides itself on customer satisfaction.
We specialise in all aspects of painting and decorating be it your new home or renovation interior or exterior.
All staff are Trade Qualified and i have over 27 years in the trade giving you … View more
Enviro Painters Ltd are a professional and friendly company that prides itself on customer satisfaction.
We specialise in all aspects of painting and decorating be it your new home or renovation interior or exterior.
All staff are Trade Qualified and i have over 27 years in the trade giving you peace of mind that you will be dealing with a professional. We service all of North Canterbury and Christchurch.

I Look forward to meeting you onsite to discuss your project.
021 226 8476
Enviropainterltd.co.nz

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866 days ago

Kaiapoi school’s teaching approach captures national attention

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Kaiapoi North School’s innovative approach to teaching literacy has caught the attention of the Government.

Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti visited Kaiapoi last Thursday to observe the school’s approach to structured literacy first hand.

A … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Kaiapoi North School’s innovative approach to teaching literacy has caught the attention of the Government.

Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti visited Kaiapoi last Thursday to observe the school’s approach to structured literacy first hand.

A former school principal, Tinetti said she was impressed with what she saw.

“Jason (Kaiapoi North’s Principal) has been an amazing advocate for structured literacy, and he’s kept at me to come and visit, so it’s been something I’ve been wanting to do for a while.

“Other schools are using structured literacy, but this school has put its own flavour to it, and we want to see schools and teachers show themselves.’’

Tinetti said she was particularly impressed with the consistency of how the school’s approach to structured literacy was applied by teachers at each year level.

She said it will help to inform the implementation of the Government’s literacy and numeracy strategy, which was launched earlier this year and is aimed at improving literacy and numeracy standards.

A recent survey by the Education Hub found that 35 percent of 15-year-olds were not at the required levels for reading and maths.

Kaiapoi North School first trialled structured literacy in 2018, with North Canterbury-based literacy resource teacher Marina Mounsey working with junior team leader Mel Poynter.

“It’s been a massive shift for some teachers in how they do their teaching, and it has required some professional development,” Poynter said.

The school’s approach revolved around phonetics, or sounding out letters and words, which ultimately led to improved spelling and writing, as well as reading.

The trial was a success, so it was rolled out across all year levels the following year, deputy principal Felicity Fahey said.

“It’s not a silver bullet. It won’t fix everything, but we believe it’s the best way to teach all the children,” she said.

Tinetti said the research had been available for 30 years, but successive governments had failed to pick it up until now.

The Government has introduced the Better Start Structured Literacy funding for teaching new entrants children, which several North Canterbury schools have engaged in.

Courses are now being offered at the University of Canterbury and the Ministry of Education aimed to have 4500 teachers throughout the country teaching structured literacy by the end of next year.

866 days ago

Reduce rising living costs

Enjoy the flexibility to do what you want and be more in control of your finances. Our fixed base weekly fee means Ryman residents can relax and make confident financial choices. And as living costs continue to rise, our fixed fee guarantee is more important than ever.

Ryman residents say that … View more
Enjoy the flexibility to do what you want and be more in control of your finances. Our fixed base weekly fee means Ryman residents can relax and make confident financial choices. And as living costs continue to rise, our fixed fee guarantee is more important than ever.

Ryman residents say that this financial security helps them plan ahead for large expenses like holidays while still enjoying themselves today. Because fewer responsibilities mean that you can live on your own terms. It’s one of the ways we’re pioneering retirement living – so you can embrace life and blaze a new trail in retirement.
Learn more

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866 days ago

Time to escape your neighbourhood?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.

To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View more
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.

To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
Share now

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867 days ago

Air bed

Bibby from Rangiora

New double airbed ,unused still in unopened box
$ 45 ono.

Negotiable

868 days ago

Popular ice cream product recalled

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Popular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination

The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including … View more
Popular ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs has recalled a specific batch of their product due to a low level chemical (ethylene oxide) contamination

The ice cream product is the Häagen-Dazs brand Classic Collection Mini Cups (4x95mL) with the Best Before dates from the 04.07.2022 up to and including 21.07.2023.

Ethylene Oxide has been found in the vanilla cup. This chemical is normally used as a fumigant for controlling post-harvest insects, moulds, and pathogens in a variety of food however there is low risk from ingesting this amount.

This product is sold in Pak'n Save, New World, Four Square, and Gilmours stores throughout the North Island and can be returned to these stores for a full refund.

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868 days ago

interior designer

Diane from Rangiora

any cost effective recommendations?

869 days ago

Re-energise your morning with the Sunday Star-Times

mags4gifts.co.nz

Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52. Subscribe now by clicking here!

Terms and conditions apply.
Subscribe now

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870 days ago

Opening Tonight!

Mark from Rangiora

The Invisible Man: a farce about a psychopath ……….

Price: $25

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870 days ago

Large aqua park still planned

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy David Hill:

Work could begin on a larger aqua sports park in Kaiapoi in 2024.
The WHoW Charitable Trust is seeking a two-year extension to the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Waimakariri District

Council in August 2020, as it looks to expand its sport park … View more
From local democracy David Hill:

Work could begin on a larger aqua sports park in Kaiapoi in 2024.
The WHoW Charitable Trust is seeking a two-year extension to the memorandum of understanding it signed with the Waimakariri District

Council in August 2020, as it looks to expand its sport park concept beyond its temporary aqua play park.

Trust vice-chairperson Jason Mill said the project is largely on track, despite the challenges of Covid-19.

‘‘When we first started out, 2024 was always our target so we are still on track to get a shovel in the ground by then.’’

The memorandum of understanding set aside land in the former red zone to the north of Kaiapoi River, while the trust undertook market research, water testing and a feasibility study for the project.

The trust was also granted a three-year license to occupy last year to operate an aqua play park on Courtenay Lake to the south of the river from October to April, with Kaikanui Aqualand NZ running the operation on behalf of the trust.

Despite the wet summer and a delay in getting under way, Mill said there were 15,000 paying customers to the play park from all over New Zealand.

‘‘We brought 25,000 people including spectators into Kaiapoi, so it gives us some confidence that it will work. We now have two more seasons to up our game.

‘‘We might pull 30,000 to 40,000 people, so we have been talking to Enterprise North Canterbury to see how we can get people to spend more time in Kaiapoi and support other businesses.’’

Now that the council has completed work on a stormwater main to north of the river, the trust has been able to begin hydrology tests on the proposed site of the larger aqua sports park, Mill said.

He said the land will need to be remediated and he estimated it could cost $40 million to construct the first stage.

Stage one is likely to incorporate the inflatable park, cable boarding and a small surf park, possibly with some kayaking.

The longer term project will cost upwards of $80m.

The money is expected to come from investors and proceeds from the aqua play park.

Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said a report was being prepared for councillors to consider.

‘‘The two years has gone pretty quick and I think everyone would agree it hasn’t been the easiest two years.

‘‘We need to look at it in more detail and consider what do they still need to provide us with, what is the critical path we need to follow and how long they might need.’’

Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said the play park had proven itself and he was looking forward to seeing the report from council staff.

Residents had raised concerns about being able to access the area around the lake for recreation, water quality, impacts on wildlife and the presence of crowds of people.

‘‘There were some legitimate concerns raised, but through good management the trust has been able to put people’s minds at ease,’’ Atkinson said.

‘‘And if this last summer is a small picture of what the future will look like then we obviously need to have a look at the big picture. It has the potential to benefit everybody.’’

The trust had been successful in meeting its own community objectives and raising goodwill, including planting trees, offering learning opportunities and giving away free passes to local school children.

Councillors were due to discuss the aqua sports park proposal this week.

871 days ago

Terracotta planter

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rangiora

It’s easy to create this simple planter using a couple of terracotta pots and some Resene testpots.

Find out how to create your own.

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871 days ago

Enviro Painters Limited

Enviro Painters Ltd

Enviro Painters Ltd are a professional and friendly company that prides itself on customer satisfaction.
We specialise in all aspects of painting and decorating be it your new home or renovation interior or exterior.
All staff are Trade Qualified and i have over 27 years in the trade giving you … View more
Enviro Painters Ltd are a professional and friendly company that prides itself on customer satisfaction.
We specialise in all aspects of painting and decorating be it your new home or renovation interior or exterior.
All staff are Trade Qualified and i have over 27 years in the trade giving you peace of mind that you will be dealing with a professional. We service all of North Canterbury and Christchurch.

I Look forward to meeting you onsite to discuss your project.
021 226 8476
Enviropainterltd.co.nz

Image
872 days ago

Amberley residents celebrate retaining street name

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A group of Amberley residents are thrilled their street name will remain the same.

The Hurunui District Council voted last week to rescind a November 25 decision to change the name of Rosewood Drive to Hilton Drive by seven votes to three.

Resident Brian … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

A group of Amberley residents are thrilled their street name will remain the same.

The Hurunui District Council voted last week to rescind a November 25 decision to change the name of Rosewood Drive to Hilton Drive by seven votes to three.

Resident Brian Gill said the decision was a relief to his neighbours, who were faced with the prospect of having a new street name and number.

‘‘At the end of the day democracy was the winner, but we would hope that there is some learning for the council administration that they don’t go roughshod without consulting with the community.

‘‘From our perspective, they had to be held accountable for making their recommendations.’’

He said residents only found out about the name change when they received a letter from the council dated April 29.

‘‘Five months after they had made the decision, they made a letterbox drop advising that from July 1 it will be renamed and this is your new number.’’

The decision impacted on 11 houses and the Little Oaks Preschool.

The residents launched a petition that was presented to Hurunui mayor Marie Black.

They met with Black and council staff on May 11 to air their concerns, before making a deputation to a council meeting on June 2.

‘‘This is an example of local democracy in action,’’ Black said.

‘‘We heard from the people and I thank them for having the courage to come and ask us to reconsider.’’

The council says staff contacted residents of Pound St, Hilton Drive and Rosewood Drive in November, and received responses from 37 properties in person, by phone, email and via SurveyMonkey.

The name Rosewood comes from the name of a nearby farm.

Rosewood Drive was chosen as a temporary name for a link road when stage 3 of the Oakfields subdivision was approved by the council in 2015.

The developer had proposed Hilton Drive South, but the council resolved that the name was similar to the name of an existing road and didn’t align with council policy.

Rosewood Drive runs off Amberley Beach Rd and the intention is for it to eventually link up with Hilton Drive and Pound St.

Residents celebrated the decision by having dinner together at the Railway Tavern in Amberley on June 30.

‘‘We are a fairly tight knit community in the street,’’ Gill said.

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