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At Triton Hearing, we believe you should make the most of the holiday season and the moments that matter.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce our revolutionary new Infinio Sphere devices. With cutting-edge technology delivering double the speech clarity*, you’ll hear every joke, every … View moreAt Triton Hearing, we believe you should make the most of the holiday season and the moments that matter.
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Sonova proprietary research (2024), visit hearmore.co.nz to learn more.
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Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Residents living in the Ashburton District have been warned to start using water wisely or face restrictions.
Canterbury is "staring down the barrel of a fairly dry summer”, but people are watering their gardens in peak times, putting … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Residents living in the Ashburton District have been warned to start using water wisely or face restrictions.
Canterbury is "staring down the barrel of a fairly dry summer”, but people are watering their gardens in peak times, putting pressure on the system, officials say.
The Ashburton District Council has signalled water restrictions are a real possibility unless usage habits change.
Ashburton’s seven-day rolling average daily water use has been above 22,000m3 three times in the past few weeks, a high level of use has which has put pressure on the system.
During the hot and windy weather over the weekend the consumption was around 16,000 cubic metres in Ashburton on both days.
Council staff said it’s not a supply issue, it’s a volume issue, with the people using a lot of water simultaneously causing low-pressure problems.
Mayor Neil Brown said households need to avoid excessive use during peak times or risk restrictions.
“If we need water restrictions to keep the level of service up, then we need them.”
Group manager of infrastructure and open spaces Neil McCann said water restrictions hadn’t been issued on the Ashburton scheme for a few years.
“We’re concerned right now about levels of service and complaints about low pressure.
“The time period from 5pm to 9pm is typically when demand increases significantly partly due to people watering their gardens and lawns.
“We also see people watering their lawns in the middle of the day, which is also not a good time as most of the water evaporates.
“We would like people to conserve water through smart use, so everyone has the water they need.”
Asset manager Andy Guthrie had raised the issue at the first-ever Three Waters Committee meeting on Thursday, signalling to councillors restrictions are a real possibility this summer.
It’s early in the summer period and the Ashburton scheme is already suffering from low-pressure issues, which Guthrie said he was “almost certain” was caused by people watering lawns and gardens in the peak evening period.
He warned unless consumption habits change, restrictions would need to be introduced.
“It’s a district-wide message. We are staring down the barrel of a fairly dry summer.”
The Mt Somers intake is already getting low and will need to be managed carefully over the summer, Guthrie said.
It’s a similar situation for the Methven supply, which also has a river intake.
Previously the trigger point for introducing restrictions was a rolling 7-day average of 15,000 cubic litres per day.
the latest seven-day average was over 20,000, Guthrie said.
The consent limit is 25,000 cubic litres per day.
Like Ashburton, the Selwyn District Council issued a notice encouraging people to use water wisely, following a significant increase in peak usage each day last week.
Council executive director infrastructure and property Tim Mason believed there had not been water restrictions in Selwyn before.
“If water use continues to increase beyond the levels it did during the last week, we could be reaching the conditions set down by the Council where restrictions are required on some schemes," Mason said.
Water use comparison:
The average daily water use per person in the Ashburton District is 838 litres per person – based on data from the 2023-24 year.
It’s a measure of water leaving the various water treatment plants, and includes rural schemes that also deliver piped stockwater, and any unaccounted-for water (such as illegal connections, unauthorised consumption like the filling of tankers, and losses through the network and on private property).
In the Selwyn District, the average litres per person was around 650L last week in the main urban areas (Darfield, Leeston, Lincoln, Prebbleton, Rolleston, Southbridge and West Melton), which triggered a water conservation message.
In comparison, Napier City Council hit the headlines last week when it claimed its water use was higher than most other place, with an average of between 500 and 570 litres of water per person per day.
It had a record day for water consumption in November of 637 litres per person and is on level 3 water restrictions (hand watering on alternate days).
Just 20km away, Hastings has an average of 634L per person in 2024 – with a peak of 973L per person on November 9, and is only on level 2 restrictions (alternate days).
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Facing a rapidly ageing population, the Ashburton District has received a funding boost to prepare an age friendly action plan.
Safer Mid Canterbury, a local community service provider, has a steering group leading the project that has been … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Facing a rapidly ageing population, the Ashburton District has received a funding boost to prepare an age friendly action plan.
Safer Mid Canterbury, a local community service provider, has a steering group leading the project that has been awarded $15,000 from Office for Seniors Age friendly Fund.
The Government agency provides grants to projects that promote the inclusion of older people and help cities and communities prepare for their ageing populations.
Safer Mid Canterbury steering group chairperson, deputy mayor Liz McMillan (pictured) said the grant will be used for a needs assessment as the first step in developing an age friendly strategy.
“A steering group will be set up next year and there will be some research into what the need is in the district.”
The research will include speaking with older people in the Ashburton District and to the agencies which work with them, as well as analysing Census and other relevant data.
Findings and data collected in the needs assessment research will be developed into an Age Friendly Strategy and Action Plan for Ashburton District.
The number of over 65s rose by 14% since 2018, according to the Census data.
Residents aged over 65 make up a fifth of the district’s population and the number is predicted to grow, McMillan said.
“Older Ashburton residents contribute hugely to the wellbeing of our community through continuing to work, volunteering, caring for grandchildren, being involved in community activities as well as being good neighbours and active members of society.
“We look forward to highlighting and celebrating the contributions of older people to our district and further developing and improving areas which will make the lives of our district’s older residents better.”
Office for Seniors age friendly programme lead Karen Piercy said she was proud of Ashburton for taking their first steps in developing an age friendly strategy.
“By identifying what’s important for older people in their community, we can help make Ashburton an amazing place to age well.”
Neighbours, we are looking ahead to December 25th and it's always a busy time.
Each family does things a little different and we'd love to know where you stick to tradition and where you strongly differ. Perhaps there's a tradition that you think is just overrated! Share your … View moreNeighbours, we are looking ahead to December 25th and it's always a busy time.
Each family does things a little different and we'd love to know where you stick to tradition and where you strongly differ. Perhaps there's a tradition that you think is just overrated! Share your thoughts below.
Hundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.
Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand … View moreHundreds of Kiwi children will receive something special this Christmas thanks to Ryman Healthcare’s support of the Catalytic Foundation’s Christmas Shoebox Project.
Instead of giving individual gifts to residents, the idea was to redirect those funds to support struggling New Zealand families having to cut back on essentials.
Ryman residents were overwhelmingly in support of the idea, with many volunteering to help choose the gifts to fill over 1000 shoeboxes with thoughtful items.
Click read more for the full story.
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to … View moreKia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Less than a week left to enter this merry competition.
With lots of spot prizes to win (as well as the title of NZ's Merriest Home), it's worth getting out your camera phone and taking a picture of your festive abode!
Check out the Christmassy homes here.
Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?
Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!
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Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa … View moreWhy not gift them a magazine subscription tailored to their interests? This Christmas, find the perfect gifts at Mags4Gifts! We're offering up to 30% off a wide range of magazines – there’s something for everyone in your whanau!
Whether you’re searching for a thoughtful secret Santa gift or something special to put under the tree, we’ve got you covered with a great selection for all interests.
Don’t miss out – shop now at Mags4Gifts.com and enjoy the savings!
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Severe traffic congestion is holding up truckies in Ashburton, forcing drivers to breach their legal driving hours, an industry head says.
Transporting New Zealand industry adviser Jim Crouchley says drivers are waiting up to 45 minutes in gridlock … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Severe traffic congestion is holding up truckies in Ashburton, forcing drivers to breach their legal driving hours, an industry head says.
Transporting New Zealand industry adviser Jim Crouchley says drivers are waiting up to 45 minutes in gridlock to get through the Canterbury town.
The congestion delays put pressure on drivers and endangered livestock, he said.
Crouchley told the Ashburton District Road Safety Co-ordinating Committee this week that drivers were reporting regular traffic queues, particularly on Fridays and holiday weekends, which was pushing compliance limits.
“Dunedin-based operators can usually make the trip to Christchurch within their five-and-a-half hours of legal driving time to meet deadlines, but are now finding themselves in breach of law with waiting times of up to 45 minutes to get through the Ashburton traffic on many occasions.”
There were also potential animal welfare issues through heat stress on animals in a slow-moving crate, particularly in the summer months, he said.
Crouchley pointed the finger at the Melcombe St viaduct, and to a lesser extent Compton’s crossing, for exacerbating the already lengthy queues.
Truck drivers saw a large number of motorists accessing State Highway 1 via the viaduct and being let in by other “courteous road users”.
This left truck drivers frustrated as they “can only watch as the queue gets longer and slower”, he said.
He said it has been suggested the Melcombe St viaduct be blocked by traffic management during peak times – until Ashburton’s second bridge was completed.
And it was not just those in the transport industry voicing concerns, with emergency services also speaking about the congestion.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Mid-South Canterbury community readiness and recovery adviser Jesse Shearer told the meeting anecdotal evidence showed local fire brigades shared the congestion concerns and it affected their ability to attend callouts.
The viaduct was a point of conjecture during the $10 million Tinwald Corridor upgrade.
The project centred around installing traffic signals at the SH1/Lagmhor Road/Agnes St intersection.
During the design phase, it was proposed to restrict Melcombe St to left out only but a swathe of community feedback convinced the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to retain its two-way access.
At the time NZTA director regional relationships James Caygill said it would retain the access “with monitoring to maintain that works”.
Several speed reduction measures were put in place along Melcombe St - three separators on either side of slightly raised platforms – to deter people from using Melcombe St to jump the queues (referred to as rat running) on SH1.
According to truckies, it wasn't working and needed to be revisited.
NZTA South and Mid Canterbury senior network manager Scott McKenzie said in terms of big-picture congestion around Ashburton, “there are limited opportunities to improve traffic flow”.
“The corridor is essentially operating at capacity and this is more obvious at peak times or where other works are under way.
"Given the residential and commercial development immediately adjacent to the highway there is limited scope to increase capacity.”
NZTA monitored the traffic signals along SH1 through Ashburton and Tinwald and made small changes to the timing as necessary to improve traffic flow where possible, he said.
“We are aware some people use Melcombe St as an alternative route onto SH1.
“It is not possible to block a local intersection temporarily unless there is a key safety reason for doing so.”
He said in theory the second bridge would “change the pattern for local road users who will then have a choice of bridges to get over the Ashburton River”.
With Christmas fast approaching, Police are encouraging people to be aware of online phishing scams.
The holiday season can already be a stressful time, and the last thing you want is to lose large sums of money to a scam.
A phishing scam is an online scam, where the offender pretends to be a … View moreWith Christmas fast approaching, Police are encouraging people to be aware of online phishing scams.
The holiday season can already be a stressful time, and the last thing you want is to lose large sums of money to a scam.
A phishing scam is an online scam, where the offender pretends to be a trustworthy person or organisation to try and get a victim’s personal information.
Police has received a number of phishing scam reports with offenders targeting people who are selling items or services online like Trade Me and Facebook Marketplace.
The offenders pretend to be an interested buyer, and urgently request to buy your product and arrange a courier pickup.
The victim receives a fake courier website link to complete a verification process asking for personal details, like bank account numbers, passwords, and phone numbers.
Once provided these details, the offender uses these to access a victim’s bank account, tricking the victim into proving any multifactor authentication code sent from the victim’s bank.
The money in the victim’s bank account is then taken by the offender once access is gained.
Police are urging members of the public to be cautious, especially when someone in person or online is asking you to give them money or your personal details like bank accounts and passwords.
Never comply with a request asking you to provide or ‘verify’ your online banking details.
Legitimate organisations will never ask you to do this.
If you are unsure if it is real, please contact your bank by the phone number on their official website or go to your nearest branch.
If you receive a courier website link from a potential buyer, this is likely a scam.
Please do not fill out the verification process.
Use the social media/trading platform’s reporting tools to report the scam and the user involved.
You can also make a report to Netsafe at report.netsafe.org.nz.
If you have handed over your online banking details, contact your bank immediately and suspend your account.
If you think you have been scammed (provided your banking details and/or suffered a loss), please gather as much information you can and make a report to Police online through 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.
Get creative by making a gorgeous leaf-printed tablecloth and gift your guests the perfect hand-painted decoration all painted in Resene testpot paint colours.
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