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When it’s cold outside, there's nothing quite like being inside the cosy warmth of a kitchen infused with the aroma of spices. But did you know that beyond their aromatic allure, these spices harbour a treasure trove of health benefits?
From the fiery kick of chilli to the sweet warmth of… View moreWhen it’s cold outside, there's nothing quite like being inside the cosy warmth of a kitchen infused with the aroma of spices. But did you know that beyond their aromatic allure, these spices harbour a treasure trove of health benefits?
From the fiery kick of chilli to the sweet warmth of cinnamon, each spice brings not only flavour but also a host of nutrients and healing properties to our winter dishes. So, whether you're sipping on mulled wine, indulging in gingerbread, or savouring a hearty stew, every bite promises to not just please your palate but also contribute to your overall wellbeing.
Click read more for the full story.
Give your berries room to grow and plenty of airflow with this helpful trellis finished in Resene Kwila Timber Stain. Keeping the canes off the ground means berries stay healthy and are easy to reach when ready to pick.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Variable speed limits are likely to be introduced around Ashburton schools by the end of the year
The changes to the Ashburton District’s 30kph school speed zones could be made by the end of the year after the Government released its revised Land … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Variable speed limits are likely to be introduced around Ashburton schools by the end of the year
The changes to the Ashburton District’s 30kph school speed zones could be made by the end of the year after the Government released its revised Land Transport Rule.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown said the revised rule will require variable speed limits outside schools during pick up and drop off times.
“Local streets outside a school will be required to have a 30kph variable speed limit during school travel times.
“Rural roads that are outside schools will be required to have variable speed limits of 60kph or less.”
The previous rule allowed variable speed limits but required expensive electronic signage, while the revised rule allows for static signs indicating the time-restricted speed zones.
In February the Ashburton District Council approved changing its 30kph school zones to be time-restricted as soon as the law allowed.
The council decided the signage will be for school days from 8.30am to 9.30am and 2.30pm to 3.30pm, once the new rule is introduced.
With the revised rule now out for consultation, it is expected Minister Brown will sign off the new rules before the end of the year.
Infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the council will submit on the proposed rule changes, supporting the time-restricted variable zones.
When the new rule is adopted it will likely require another report to the council because the decision in February agreed to the static signs but not to the variable speed limit, McCann said.
Any changes to the extent of the speed limits will also be included in any report as the new rule proposes a maximum distance of 300m for the variable 30kph speed limit from each school gate, he said.
“We can probably have a report to council before the rule is adopted anticipating that the proposals will be adopted, with the aim to have changes adopted so the signs can be in place ready for the start of term 1 in 2025.”
The Government is also looking to reverse blanket speed limit reductions, enable some roads of national significance to have speed limits of 110kph, and to consider economic impacts - including travel times - when setting speed limits.
Consultation on the draft speed rule closes on July 11.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan says she is pleased the speed limit will drop on a section of highway through Methven after years of “nagging”.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi announced that the speed limit for a section of State Highway 77 at the … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan says she is pleased the speed limit will drop on a section of highway through Methven after years of “nagging”.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi announced that the speed limit for a section of State Highway 77 at the northern end of Methven will be reduced to 60kph by the end of July.
“The nagging has worked,” McMillan said.
“It has been a bit of a long process but [I'm] really happy as the community wanted this, so it’s a really good outcome.
“It’s going to make a huge difference.”
The speed limit from Racecourse Ave to past Holmes Rd, covering 600m, will reduce from 100kph to 60kph by the end of July.
McMillan and other Methven residents launched a petition calling for the speed reduction in 2021.
NZTA had initially proposed a reduction to 80kph but the Methven community asked for it to be lower.
NZTA’s technical assessment supported this feedback and a reduced speed limit to match the road environment.
The community felt the 100kph speed limit no longer fitted the stretch of SH77 that carries traffic heading to the Mt Hutt Ski Field, the Ōpuke thermal pools, and Methven Racecourse.
A growing number of people were using the shared pathway next to the highway to walk or bike to the pools, racecourse, or the walking track at the end of town, McMillan said.
“It’s going to make it a lot safer and it’s good timing that it’s happening in winter with the traffic increasing. It’s a busy road anyway but in winter it’s even busier.”
NZTA director regional relationships James Caygill said there will be a campaign to advertise the new speed limit in the lead-up to its introduction and Police will be in the area in the days following “to remind drivers of the change”.
Feedback on speed limits north of the township showed unanimous support for a reduction further than was initially proposed, he said.
Last week, the Minister of Transport released a proposed new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits that is out for public consultation and planned to come into force by the end of the year.
NZTA is working under the 2022 version of the Rule for the Methven SH77 speed limit change, but the change is also consistent with the intent of the incoming 2024 Rule.
When the new rule comes into effect, there could be more speed changes for Canterbury highways, including a variable reduced speed zone for Methven schools on SH77.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's recycling habits are improving, but one rogue household has been labelled the “extreme worst end of the scale” for breaking the rules.
The household was accused of putting out multiple yellow and red bins to dump 480kg of … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's recycling habits are improving, but one rogue household has been labelled the “extreme worst end of the scale” for breaking the rules.
The household was accused of putting out multiple yellow and red bins to dump 480kg of rubbish, then acting "extremely abusive" when approached over the incident, councillors heard during a recent meeting.
Recycling audits have been carried out since 2020.
In this case, a property had been using its yellow recycling bin as a rubbish bin for two consecutive weeks.
The property also had three red bins as well as the yellow bin out for kerbside collection, councillors heard.
It was estimated they had presented around 480kg of waste on collection day.
When approached, the resident was “extremely abusive to the audit team and collection contractor”, the councillors were told during an update on audit results.
Council infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the usual education approach for incorrect recycling practices was deemed to be unachievable.
Any bins presented by the property were now treated as waste by the contractor, he said.
The property's yellow bin had been confiscated but they acquired another one, as well as the two additional red bins. The extra bins had been confiscated, McCann said.
The incident was at the “extreme worst end of the scale”.
However, McCann said ongoing kerbside auditing has improved results in Ashburton. This save ratepayers the $1000 additional cost of a contaminated recycling load being diverted to landfill.
“The observations of our audit team on the ground is that people are generally recycling well, though there are odd cases of larger non-compliance as has been highlighted.
“The biggest issue is finding rubbish in recycling bins and this is most commonly soft plastics, food, clothing and soiled nappies.”
Since auditing began in 2021, Ashburton has only had four contaminated loads.
As a comparison, the Christchurch City Council reported that in May it had 2% (11) of its recycling loads diverted to landfill, at a total cost of $11,000 – its best month of the year to date.
In terms of general waste, the latest figures showed that there were 1169 tonnes of waste sent to the Kate Valley landfill in April, bringing the total for the 2023-24 year to 12,595 - with about 14,800 tonnes sent in the previous year.
The council plans to hold a workshop to decide on the green waste bin size options ahead of the kerbside rollout in September 2026.
This will be included in the next waste management contract, which is due to go out for tender in September.
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We've pulled four names this week of members across the country. The winners of the $100 Mitre10 cards are:
Cynthia Chozas from Botany Downs
Mabel Dawson from Stratford
Michael Pascoe from Amberley
… View moreWe've pulled four names this week of members across the country. The winners of the $100 Mitre10 cards are:
Cynthia Chozas from Botany Downs
Mabel Dawson from Stratford
Michael Pascoe from Amberley
Sarah Gebhard from Nelson
Winners can get in touch here or by emailing helpdesk@neighbourly.co.nz before 25th June.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
An investigation will look at how Ashburton district's local economy could benefit from a bite-size portion of Te Araroa trail.
The Ashburton District Council and the Te Araroa Trust have commissioned Infometrics to prepare a report, expected … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
An investigation will look at how Ashburton district's local economy could benefit from a bite-size portion of Te Araroa trail.
The Ashburton District Council and the Te Araroa Trust have commissioned Infometrics to prepare a report, expected to be brought to the council in August, looking into the potential economic benefit of promoting a section of the national walking trail.
Council compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said it is referred to as a Te Araroa Iti (Te Araroa small or bite-sized), and the report will describe the economic impact of increased numbers of walkers and the district promoting the walk.
“The report does not make a distinction on whether walkers would stay in Methven or would choose Mt Somers, Staveley or even Ashburton town.”
The initial report will only gauge the potential benefits, not how it would work.
“The report will look at the economic impact of such an attraction for the district, however, it is not a feasibility report.”
The short walk would focus on a section of the full Te Araroa route that runs through the district and can be done over a few days, and would have the walkers utilise local accommodation and hospitality services before and after.
“Likely two to three nights in the route, with accommodation before the walk and a final night before heading home,” Donaldson said.
“We are keen to utilise other providers such as Salt or the hot pools as add-ons for visitors.”
The report will cost $22,500 and is being evenly funded by the council and Te Araroa Trust, Donaldson said.
The creation of the small walk would simply utilise the existing trails but there may be infrastructure costs such as hut extensions, Donaldson said.
“Te Araroa are investigating this and there is no expectation at this stage for further council funding.
“The council, through the Experience Mid Canterbury branding, would promote this visitor asset.”
Te Araroa is New Zealand's long-distance tramping route, stretching about 3000 kilometres along the length of the country's two main islands from Cape Reinga to Bluff.
In Canterbury, it runs along the Southern Alps, from the Harper Pass Track in the north to the Ahuriri River in the south.
The trail gets interrupted by the natural borders of Mid Canterbury – the braided Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, which require people to detour using roads to reconnect the trail at either end of the district.
The Rakaia–Rangitata is a four-day 69.7km trek between the two rivers, starting at Double Hill in the north, running along the Southern Alps and crossing through the Hakatere Conservation Park to the Ashburton Lakes where it ends at the Potts River.
Each week, nominations on Neighbourly get turned into a Stuff story and we are always on the lookout for amazing neighbours who deserve to be recognised.
It could be someone who helped you when you were in a tight spot, a local who goes above and beyond for the community or just a neighbour who … View moreEach week, nominations on Neighbourly get turned into a Stuff story and we are always on the lookout for amazing neighbours who deserve to be recognised.
It could be someone who helped you when you were in a tight spot, a local who goes above and beyond for the community or just a neighbour who checks in on you.
Nominate your 'Nice Neighbour' by clicking here.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Turning drivers towards an Inland Scenic Route could be a cost-effective way to boost the economy, Ashburton councillors have been told.
Council economic development manager Simon Worthington detailed the promotion of the route in the Economic … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Turning drivers towards an Inland Scenic Route could be a cost-effective way to boost the economy, Ashburton councillors have been told.
Council economic development manager Simon Worthington detailed the promotion of the route in the Economic Development Strategy six monthly report last week.
The inland route, former State Highway 72, stretches from Amberley to Geraldine and runs the width of the Ashburton District from the Rakaia to the Rangitata River (as Arundel Rakaia Gorge Rd) along the foothills.
A working group of representatives from the Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri district councils is exploring opportunities for the development and better promotion of the scenic driving route.
The group may also expand to incorporate the Timaru and Mackenzie councils so the route can link from Geraldine through the Mackenzie basin to Central Otago.
Mayor Neil Brown was curious about the economic benefit of promoting the inland scenic route.
“Beautiful drive, but what else is there economically?”
Worthington said there is evidence around touring routes being large economic generators.
Attracting more people to drive that route would result in more visitors to the attractions along the way, Worthington said.
“Methven is really logically situated for a night one stay of people doing the route,” he said.
“The idea being that you slow them down and make it sticky as they come through the district, and bring them into elements like Ōpuke [Thermal Pools] or jetboating on the Rakaia.”
Brown had another money saving option to slow tourists.
“If we didn’t spend as much money on that road, then that would certainly slow them down and make it sticky for them."
His tongue in cheek remark refers to the historic issue the council has had funding road maintenance of the busy former state highway.
Former councillor Stu Wilson constantly referred to it as a “tourist route”, arguing on numerous occasions that while NZTA decided to remove the highway status it didn’t remove the traffic volumes, but the council was lumped with paying for its maintenance.
The maintenance costs for the 57km Arundel Rakaia Gorge Road for the last five years is $1.18 million, with rehabilitation costs of $2.86m.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan took a brighter approach, saying that promoting the route fitted in with linking the dark sky areas in Oxford and Tekapo, and the fact the council is looking into getting dark sky status for the Hakatere Conservation Park.
Dark sky has quite a following and adds another element to promoting the route, Worthington said.
“Another reason for people to stop in our district and stay the night."
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The iconic Rakaia Salmon needs a facelift - and cash to fund it.
Ashburton District Council’s open spaces manager Ian Soper said a structural and maintenance assessment showed the 12m high statue needs a lot of work.
The good news is the work … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The iconic Rakaia Salmon needs a facelift - and cash to fund it.
Ashburton District Council’s open spaces manager Ian Soper said a structural and maintenance assessment showed the 12m high statue needs a lot of work.
The good news is the work can be done on-site, he said.
“The work can be done in situ so it won’t need to be cut down and transported.”
It will need scaffolding erected and plastic wrapped to contain the fibreglass work, he said.
The upgrade is unbudgeted work and once quotes have been obtained a report will come to the council “to see where that sits financially”.
The statue, built in 1991 with funding from the Rakaia Lions Club, was gifted to the council about 18 years ago.
The area around the salmon was redeveloped between 2020 and 2021.
The project received a $739,945 grant from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund, $20,000 from the Rakaia Lions, and the council funded the remaining $198,000.
The bulk of the project budget was spent on a new public toilet facility.
You are invited to join us for an exclusive afternoon of classical music with the Canterbury Quartet, hosted by Kevin Hickman Village.
The Canterbury Quartet are experienced professional musicians who have performed in some of the finest symphony orchestras around the world.
Don't miss … View moreYou are invited to join us for an exclusive afternoon of classical music with the Canterbury Quartet, hosted by Kevin Hickman Village.
The Canterbury Quartet are experienced professional musicians who have performed in some of the finest symphony orchestras around the world.
Don't miss this opportunity for a harmonious blend of exquisite string quartet music and complimentary refreshments. You are welcome to bring a friend along, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Click read more for more information.
In 2023, Apple amended its autocorrect function to allow Iphone users to freely use their intended word without mentioning 'ducks'. Is this a sign of the times? Are swear words no longer taboo in our communities or workplaces?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to… View moreIn 2023, Apple amended its autocorrect function to allow Iphone users to freely use their intended word without mentioning 'ducks'. Is this a sign of the times? Are swear words no longer taboo in our communities or workplaces?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
Create a mood-enhancing workspace at home with a fresh and uplifting colour palette with Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen and Resene Lustacryl.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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