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Paul and Lesley Askin lead their next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 5 May - at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards. Remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 … View morePaul and Lesley Askin lead their next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 5 May - at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards. Remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley.
We are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly with the wonderful, Sam McDonald - a second-term Christchurch city councillor representing the Waimairi Ward. We invite you to share a question for him!
A little bit about Sam:
A chartered accountant by profession, Sam has experience in both… View moreWe are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly with the wonderful, Sam McDonald - a second-term Christchurch city councillor representing the Waimairi Ward. We invite you to share a question for him!
A little bit about Sam:
A chartered accountant by profession, Sam has experience in both the public and private sectors. He currently serves as a director of Civic Building Limited (a Ngai Tahu property Joint Venture) and is an Independent Trustee of Development West Coast. Sam is a Chartered Director of the Institute of Directors and has experience in Audit and Risk, Health and Safety and Infrastructure projects.
Sam shares that within Council he is focused on 'financial oversight, particularly of the capital programme and the day-to-day operational expenditure, and how this provides impact investment into Christchurch communities.'
Leave a comment below and Councillor Sam McDonald will answer your questions on all things council, whether it's the budget, rate rises or even about the new stadium.
↓ Share your question now! ↓
Has anybody got some house plants they don't want and can deliver please? Can pay small fee.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The alpine resort of Hanmer Springs is looking to add a museum and sporting development to its growing list of attractions.
The proposal could see the development of a sports field and pavilion on the former Queen Mary Hospital site.
Plans to turn … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The alpine resort of Hanmer Springs is looking to add a museum and sporting development to its growing list of attractions.
The proposal could see the development of a sports field and pavilion on the former Queen Mary Hospital site.
Plans to turn the Soldiers' Block on the site into a museum are also progressing.
"It will be absolutely brilliant," Hanmer Springs-based councillor Tom Davies said.
"It will be a real point of interest that shows Hanmer means business, and it will attract huge numbers."
The southern part of the former hospital site, and the existing Hanmer Springs Sports Reserve are earmarked for residential and commercial development.
Aimed at putting the town on the map, the Hurunui District Council will consult on the proposal as part of its 2024-34 long-term plan.
It has signed an agreement with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura (Ngāti Kurī) and Ngāi Tahu Property, after buying the southern 9 hectare site in October last year.
The council already owned the northern area where the Soldiers Block is sited.
The block was opened in 1916 to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War 1, and was later used as a drug and alcohol treatment facility.
The council has already announced a $3.1 million project to upgrade the Soldiers’ Block, which is being funded by a Lotteries grant, $1.5m from the Government’s Better Off funding, and council funding.
Plans are being developed to turn it into a museum in partnership with Wētā Workshop, which will require a further $5m to raised.
The council has budgeted $400,000 to build the new sports pavilion, and is likely to seek external funding.
The site development will be debt funded and offset through property sales.
Davies said the trees in the former hospital grounds would create an "absolutely beautiful" backdrop for the new sports facility.
"It won’t be a first class sports venue, but if we can develop a tier two sports centre we could attract some of the bigger rugby and netball teams to come and have training camps and exhibition games."
Pre-season rugby matches between Canterbury and Tasman are already played in Hanmer Springs.
Davies said the grounds were also ideal for a concert venue.
"We generally only have one big concert a year, but if we have the facilities, there is no reason why we couldn’t have one a month."
Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura is also planning to build a wharenui on the site.
"It is really exciting Ngāti Kurī is involved in the project and intends to put a wharenui on the site," Davies said.
"It is quite incredible that there is no marae in Hurunui."
The southern part of the site contains a spiritual garden of significance to Ngāti Kuri and will be retained.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Hello Neighbours
These we beauties were lovingly made by the men from Rangiora Menz Shed
What would you pay for Thomas the Tank Engine, Fire Engine or a good ole Truck for your special little someone. All on castors, sit on and away they go.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Hanmer Springs is booming as Kiwis spend their holidays closer to home.
Hurunui Tourism product development manager Graeme Abbot said the domestic market had grown and he expected the town to be back to pre-Covid levels by Christmas.
"We thought… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Hanmer Springs is booming as Kiwis spend their holidays closer to home.
Hurunui Tourism product development manager Graeme Abbot said the domestic market had grown and he expected the town to be back to pre-Covid levels by Christmas.
"We thought it would take a good three years to get the international market back, so we are doing pretty well.
"Talking to the accommodation and hospitality businesses, they all seem to be doing pretty well and forward bookings seem pretty positive."
Businesses have been affected by power outages, but the Hanmer basin has come through the fire season largely unscathed.
The town has a permanent population of about 1000 people, but it can swell to more than 5000 in the weekend.
Events like the recent Hanmer MotorFest, the new Bandquet music festival, and running and multisport events, consistently draw visitors to the town.
Abbot said there was a growing number of attractions in the village, with Manuka Skies now offering a dark sky experience.
Manuka Skies started up last year offering a stargazing experience, with the goal of setting up an observatory on Mt Rodney for private and community use.
The hot pools, winter skiing, mountain bike and walking trails continue to be the biggest drawcards.
A new Hanmer Forest sculpture walk was challenging the Conical Hill loop track as "the busiest walk", while disc golf was also proving to be popular, Abbot said.
Hanmer Holiday Homes owner Jason Fletcher said Hanmer tended to do well in a recession, as New Zealanders opted to visit the tourist town in preference to heading overseas.
But people were "a bit more cautious", leading to a change in the nature of bookings.
"Forward bookings used to be six months in advance and then it became six weeks, but now it is six days in advance, so there are a lot more last minute bookings."
Fletcher said about 80% of his business was from Canterbury visitors, which remained strong.
Guest surveys indicated the thermal pools and forest walks were the most popular activities for Hanmer Holiday Homes guests.
Dining, retail therapy, mountain biking and relaxation were also popular.
Hurunui Tourism is a partnership between the Hurunui District Council and tourism operators.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
THE AUTUMN CHEVIOT COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE - SUNDAY 14 APRIL 2024, 10AM TO 3PM in the grounds of the Cheviot Knox Church and Community Centre, corner of main Road and Reeves Street, Cheviot. A great selection of stalls selling just about anything you can think of : DIY items, homewares, … View moreTHE AUTUMN CHEVIOT COMMUNITY GARAGE SALE - SUNDAY 14 APRIL 2024, 10AM TO 3PM in the grounds of the Cheviot Knox Church and Community Centre, corner of main Road and Reeves Street, Cheviot. A great selection of stalls selling just about anything you can think of : DIY items, homewares, children's items, clothing, tools, books and magazines, furniture, plants, toys, antiques and collectables, DVDs, appliances, jewellery - the list goes on and on!!
If you are thinking about changing some colours or redecorating your interior. Now is the time to get this booked in for the winter months so when spring comes the house looks great inside and you can focus on your other projects.We are now also booking in Exterior Painting for next season we have … View moreIf you are thinking about changing some colours or redecorating your interior. Now is the time to get this booked in for the winter months so when spring comes the house looks great inside and you can focus on your other projects.We are now also booking in Exterior Painting for next season we have the first already booked in for september.
Get in touch with Andy and the friendly team for a quotation
Head on out to the Special Cheviot Village Easter Monday Market, on tomorrow 1 April from 10am to 2pm. Located indoors in the Knox Community Centre Hall (behind Cheviot's Knox Church) with quality stalls in a cosy and friendly setting. Hope to see you there!!
Don't miss out on egg-cellent savings this season!
Hop into incredible deals and don't miss out on the chance to WIN a month of FREE broadband: Simply switch your broadband or power plan using Power Compare or Broadband Compare by 2/4/2024 to be in to WIN!
T&Cs: … View moreDon't miss out on egg-cellent savings this season!
Hop into incredible deals and don't miss out on the chance to WIN a month of FREE broadband: Simply switch your broadband or power plan using Power Compare or Broadband Compare by 2/4/2024 to be in to WIN!
T&Cs: www.nzcompare.com...
Vintage style preserving jars Agee Special range. 8x jars including 4x gold screw bands to fit. Price negotiable
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