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Be aware, pesky phone scammers’ latest move may be posing as Police officers seeking your financial details.
New Zealand Police are aware of reports emerging this month where Kiwis have been contacted on the phone by someone claiming to be an officer. The officer will claim to be from a … View moreBe aware, pesky phone scammers’ latest move may be posing as Police officers seeking your financial details.
New Zealand Police are aware of reports emerging this month where Kiwis have been contacted on the phone by someone claiming to be an officer. The officer will claim to be from a particular department, tell you that you have been a victim of fraud or scam, and begin to try and obtain further financial information from you. This is a scam.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton, from Auckland City’s Financial Crime Unit, says there have been at least a dozen reports made to Police, and these scam calls are largely being made to landlines. “While Police do not have accurate numbers of how many of these scam calls have been received, it is important that the public are aware,” he says. “Police will make some enquiries into these calls, but our experience has shown that often phone-based scammers will be operating from overseas. “We appreciate the vigilance of those who have contact Police so far, as this will help us to make others in the community aware.”
Unfortunately, scams can take many different forms and target victims on different platforms, Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says. “Scammers are opportunistic and thrive off your trust and good-will. If you receive a call of this nature, do not hand over any personal details.”
New Zealand Police will never contact people seeking their banking details, card numbers, pin numbers or passwords. There are instances where legitimate Police officers will contact you as part of their duties. Police ask that the public remain vigilant.
𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿:
➡️Police will never ask for details about your bank cards, pin numbers or passwords over the phone.
➡️Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, or is too good to be true, it probably is.
➡️If you are uncertain, ask for the officer’s details. Hang up, contact 105 and request the officer to contact you.
➡️Police aren’t in the business of offering prize money.
If you are in the unfortunate position of being a victim of a scam, please report the matter to Police.
Take the chance to upskill yourself on scam awareness, check for further information on the NetSafe website.
𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺:
Police are also aware of an email scam that has re-emerged, that claims to be authorities from Police and other justice sector partners. This scam has been subject of previous advisories. We continue to advise people to be extremely cautious when receiving unsolicited emails. Do not reply an the email of this nature under any circumstances.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A proposed $200m equine stud and equestrian training centre at Lake Hood in Canterbury looks poised to get the green light - with several conditions.
Southern Parallel Equine Centre Limited (SPEC) faced a hearing with independent commissioner David … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A proposed $200m equine stud and equestrian training centre at Lake Hood in Canterbury looks poised to get the green light - with several conditions.
Southern Parallel Equine Centre Limited (SPEC) faced a hearing with independent commissioner David Taylor this week in a bid to gain consent for the project from the Ashburton District Council.
Submitters raised concerns about future development of the site, and the impacts of its activities on neighbouring properties.
At the end of the hearing, discussion focused on what conditions to impose on the consent, suggesting it was likely to get approved.
The development has already received consent approval from Environment Canterbury.
The applicants presented an updated list of consent conditions and submitters made some suggested amendments of their own for Taylor to consider.
Some conditions relating to traffic, odour, and noise will likely be reviewable.
In a submission against the proposal, John Skevington and Jo Ruane wanted stricter and clearer conditions imposed.
In their submission, the pair detailed how they had been in a land deal with the developers that had fallen through. They had concerns about the new proposal impacting their subdivision and other properties at Lake Hood.
Their submissions also raised concerns about the future redevelopment of the site by the applicant.
However, commissioner Taylor said any potential future development was “irrelevant to the application”.
Tim Read presented his family's submission raising concerns about the use of productive farmland and rural amenity value as the proposal “reads like an A&P show”.
He wanted conditions to be robust to clearly identify and define what could happen on the site.
Project director Catherine Stuart compared the plans to establishing something like Karaka, the home of the annual racehorse yearling sales, but for sport horses.
Stuart said only a small number of staff would be accommodated on-site.
“It’s an equine stud. Not a caravan park.”
The development is for the breeding and training of horses for sale - not a public access equestrian centre.
The plans are for between 20-40 staff to be on site, with up to eight living on-site, and around 100 horses in residence.
Other visitors will be by appointment only.
The proposal is for 25 event days allowed each year to cater for an annual sale event – with around 500 prospective buyers and up to 600 horses present, smaller sales events, and competition training days.
The management and removal of manure was also a focal point, with plans to remove it from the site daily.
A notable factor was the developer's plan to fully fund the connecting of the property to the town water supply and wastewater network.
Skevington questioned how a farming operation qualified for connection, something Taylor said was between the applicant and the council.
In its evidence, SPEC stated the water would not be for irrigation, as the site has access to existing consents used to irrigate, but will remove the pivot irrigation which is not suitable for horses.
ECan has consented to the use of a BioGill wastewater treatment system – which has three phases of treatment before passing through an ultra violet light system on its way to storage tanks where it is then pumped into drip irrigation.
Taylor adjourned the hearing to allow the applicants to prepare a right of reply before he could close it. He would then have 20 working days to make a decision.
The Press and The Post (Stuff) are collecting data on the cost of early childhood education in New Zealand. The data will be anonymised (unless you have opted-in to being contacted for a potential interview, via the last question).
If you have children in early childhood education, please help … View moreThe Press and The Post (Stuff) are collecting data on the cost of early childhood education in New Zealand. The data will be anonymised (unless you have opted-in to being contacted for a potential interview, via the last question).
If you have children in early childhood education, please help us out by completing a brief survey. Click here to find the survey. The results will be reported on thepress.co.nz and thepost.co.nz at a later date.
Attention NZ Streamers! As inflation takes its toll, major streaming services in NZ are increasing their prices.
Sitting back and watching your favourite movies will likely cost more money. So check them out! But don't worry, we've got tips to help you save without missing out on your… View moreAttention NZ Streamers! As inflation takes its toll, major streaming services in NZ are increasing their prices.
Sitting back and watching your favourite movies will likely cost more money. So check them out! But don't worry, we've got tips to help you save without missing out on your favourite shows! Stay tuned!
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The timing of the demolition and rebuild of elderly housing units in Ashburton will be known once the contract is finalised.
BP Construction Limited has been selected as the preferred contractor to demolish and redevelop 16 units at Friendship Lane … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The timing of the demolition and rebuild of elderly housing units in Ashburton will be known once the contract is finalised.
BP Construction Limited has been selected as the preferred contractor to demolish and redevelop 16 units at Friendship Lane for the tendered price of $3,073,668 plus GST.
The council’s business support group manager, Leanne Macdonald, said the detail of the timeline for the two stage project, with eight units demolished and rebuilt at a time, is being developed.
“We will be able to share more information about the tender process once the finer details of the contract have been formally agreed by council and BP Construction Limited.
“The Friendship Lane units are of a design that no longer complied with the recent changes in Healthy Homes Legislation and so were a priority to upgrade.”
The remaining units at Friendship Lane comply with legislation and no future work is programmed in the draft long-term plan, Macdonald said.
The $3m project is being funded by a “range of streams”, including external funding, a previous property sale, and loan funding.
There are already nine vacant units at Friendship Lane, clearing the way for stage one to begin, pending funding applications and contract negotiations.
“As we refurbish vacant units in our district, we will work with any existing tenants impacted by this project to be relocated within the timeframe that is yet to be determined.”
The nine units have been vacant for some time, one since August 2021.
The 16 units are part of the council’s 102 elderly housing units, available for people over 65 years of age across six complexes spread throughout Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia.
A recent property activity report outlined that there are 20 applications on the waiting list, with 10 people wanting single units and 10 requesting double units (three couples and seven individuals). This does not include the seven tenants at Friendship Lane.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's councillors are demanding action from the regional council so money from a proposed hefty rates hike isn't "just sucked up into Christchurch".
With the community facing a 24% average rate increase from Environment … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's councillors are demanding action from the regional council so money from a proposed hefty rates hike isn't "just sucked up into Christchurch".
With the community facing a 24% average rate increase from Environment Canterbury, Ashburton District councillors said they want to see action in key areas and assurances that money is being well spent.
Their comments came as they discussed their submission on the regional council’s proposed long term plan.
Councillor Richard Wilson said ECan is loading a lot of costs back onto users and the Ashburton District is facing a large rate increase.
“A lot of that is for what I would call common good things like protecting the Ashburton River.
“We need to recognise that a lot of money is being taken out of our district and we hope the services come back [and] it’s not just sucked up into Christchurch and lost in the ivory towers.”
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said that with the district contributing a significant amount of money to ECan, “we want to see some action now”.
Brown was critical of ECan’s consultation summary document, which he said “doesn’t give me good guidance on what ECan want to do, especially for the Ashburton District”.
With a proposed 24% average rate rise, he “can’t see where that money is being spent” in the district, but admitted he had yet to read the full 300-plus page document.
However, he said if he was struggling to understand - as someone “a bit more educated" than the general public reading the documents - he wasn’t sure if the community would see where the money would go.
Councillor Carolyn Cameron said she wanted better reporting of the work being done.
“They need to have some accountability for that money in my view.”
The council submission is pushing for ECan to lift its use of the uniform annual general charge, which has every property pay the same amount from 8% to at least 12% of total rates or higher, ‘to better reflect the benefits of its programmes across the region and to alter the spread of the rates burden’.
The council has raised it before and hasn’t had a response, Brown said.
“We need a response back to our submission that is [respective] of our submission, not the general letter that gets sent out.”
He will put that to regional councillors when he presents the submission.
Brown also wanted to send a clear message that the council wants a review into how river catchments are rated for and funded.
The submission also calls for an immediate review of the recent Ashburton River consent review process that imposed new Ashburton River minimum flow conditions on consent holders.
It supports the proposed work on Carters Creek but requests the work be brought forward.
The council is also asking for the consideration of a public transport pilot in Ashburton, and a daily Ashburton-Timaru and Ashburton-Christchurch service.
The consultation on ECan’s draft long-term plan closes on April 14.
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The Ashburton District Council’s submission uses example properties to show the average rate increase for Ashburton rural properties is 24% and for urban properties, the average increase is 31%.
A rural property in Wakanui worth $4,760,000 will pay $2,681.20, an increase of $523.99, while a rural Rakaia valued at $13,510,000 will pay $15,633.84 – a jump of $3728.56.
An Ashburton urban property worth $430,000 will pay $409.66, a $98.03 hike.
Come and join us at the Vintage Fair this Sunday 14 April 2024 - you won't be disappointed!
Canadian clinical neuroscientist and researcher Professor Vladimir Hachinski has been announced the winner of the 2024 Ryman Prize - an annual $250,000 grant for the world’s best discovery, development, advancement or achievement that enhances the quality of life for older people.
The prize … View moreCanadian clinical neuroscientist and researcher Professor Vladimir Hachinski has been announced the winner of the 2024 Ryman Prize - an annual $250,000 grant for the world’s best discovery, development, advancement or achievement that enhances the quality of life for older people.
The prize was presented by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at a ceremony at Logan Campbell Village in Auckland today, celebrating the major contribution Professor Hachinski has made to the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and the links between ‘the terrible three’ - stroke, dementia and coronary heart disease.
Click read more for the full article.
Get the best protection you can before winter. The flu vaccine is free if you’re over 65. It’s also free for pregnant people and for many others with certain underlying health conditions, including diabetes, heart and lung diseases, and mental health conditions.
To book your flu vaccine … View moreGet the best protection you can before winter. The flu vaccine is free if you’re over 65. It’s also free for pregnant people and for many others with certain underlying health conditions, including diabetes, heart and lung diseases, and mental health conditions.
To book your flu vaccine contact your doctor, pharmacy or healthcare provider, or visit
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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! ↓
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
All trains are now set to zoom through Ashburton at 80kph – but KiwiRail says it has no plans to upgrade any crossings.
The Fairfield Freight Hub will open next month, shifting the shunting out of the centre of town.
KiwiRail future state … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
All trains are now set to zoom through Ashburton at 80kph – but KiwiRail says it has no plans to upgrade any crossings.
The Fairfield Freight Hub will open next month, shifting the shunting out of the centre of town.
KiwiRail future state freight general manager Mark Heissenbuttel said it meant people won’t need to wait for trains shunting across level crossings, but they would need to recognise that most trains would now be travelling at normal speed through town.
“Trains already go through Ashburton at 80kph, the normal line speed, and there are currently no plans to upgrade any level crossings in the town,” he said.
“The level crossings in central Ashburton are compliant with safety standards.”
While the normal line speed is 80kph, when trains had to slow or stop in town they travelled more slowly while they got back up to full speed.
Recent intersection improvements on State Highway 1, at Walnut Ave and in Tinwald, included upgraded rail level crossings, but the others will remain as they are.
Most crossings have active protections such as barrier arms, lights and bells.
The two pedestrian-only crossings that extended from Burnett St and Tancred St to the West St car park had safety signs, Heissenbuttel said.
“We are putting additional signage at each crossing and are also launching a rail safety campaign to raise local awareness about train movements in the wider Ashburton area.
“People may have become used to trains moving slowly through town and they may have crossed the tracks in front of stationary trains.
“We urge people in the area to be extra vigilant at all level crossings, pay close attention to and obey the warning systems and signage and always look both ways for trains before crossing the tracks.”
Ashburton District Council infrastructure and open spaces general manager Neil McCann said the council was working with KiwiRail and the Tracksafe Foundation Charitable Trust on a range of communication methods to minimise the risk from increased train speeds, with a focus on the pedestrian crossings in the CBD.
“Council is discussing improved safety measures at the crossings with KiwiRail.”
Meanwhile, a delay in upgrading the level crossings at Fairton meant locomotives would have to shunt wagons across the Fairfield Rd level crossing for about seven months, as part of daily work putting together freight trains for the hub, Heissenbuttel said.
“KiwiRail is redesigning how the signals in the area work, which will resolve the issue, but it is expected to take until October for the new system to be operational.
“To avoid having to wait at the crossing, until then we recommend people avoid using Fairfield Rd at specific times.”
From April 8, the shunting will affect Fairfield Rd with freight trains moving wagons across the road between 9.30am and 10.30am, 8.45pm and 9.30pm, and 1.30am and 2.15am each day.
At these times the level crossing on Fairfield Rd will be blocked for up to 10 minutes as wagons are positioned to be loaded at the new Fairfield Freight Hub.
The Fairfield Rd level crossing is equipped with flashing lights and bells and barrier arms.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's mayor worries more businesses face closure as tough economic times hit the district.
The Speight’s Ale House closed last week, while restaurant Armdadillo's, which is across the road, closed earlier this year.
New … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's mayor worries more businesses face closure as tough economic times hit the district.
The Speight’s Ale House closed last week, while restaurant Armdadillo's, which is across the road, closed earlier this year.
New eateries opening in the area and rising costs of running the business were cited as reasons for the ale house closure.
Owner Tony Potts believed there were too many eateries in the town competing against each other, and he would not be surprised to see more closures.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown agreed.
“A business shutting down is always a concern,” Brown said.
“People in Ashburton have a great variety of choices and possibly there are too many eateries in Ashburton, which is detrimental to the people running those businesses – the same number of people spread across a greater number of businesses can’t be sustained forever. People will go where they like.
“I’m not sure what else council can do apart from supporting them through our economic development agency, and attracting more tourists.”
The cost of living crisis was biting, and with two quarters of negative growth leading to a recession, it was tough economic times, Brown said.
The library and civic centre, Te Whare Whakatere, opened earlier this year in the CBD and contains an espresso bar.
The council was cautious of making sure it didn’t compete with existing businesses and had local café One Ninety Nine relocate from within the CBD, Brown said.
The council spent $15 million on the re-vitalisation of the town centre just two years ago.
In the meantime, the number of vacant shops scattered around the CBD – the area bordered by Havelock, Cass, Moore, and East streets, is increasing.
The council’s plan change 4 in 2021 aimed to strengthen the role and function of the CBD as the primary commercial, retail, recreation, cultural and entertainment centre for the district.
It hasn’t stopped big box retailers setting up on the fringe of the CBD.
The River Crossing precinct opened at the end of 2022, with Kmart and several eateries, while on the other side of SH1 Briscoes shifted out of the CBD to set up next to a new Rebel Sport, with a Chemist Warehouse also opening next door in 2023.
Business Canterbury’s Mid Canterbury business adviser, Jason MacRae, said the arrival of big box stores and national brand eateries was a sign that Ashburton was growing and was seen by the rest of the country as a great place to do business.
“Unfortunately, the timing of this increased competition has aligned with local businesses facing the cumulative impacts of rising costs, dwindling consumer demand as household budgets also feel the bite of inflation, and the lingering effects of labour shortages.”
A report by Infometrics in December found that the value of electronic card spending in Ashburton's CBD had been relatively consistent since October 2021.
Figures released to the council last week showed tourism spend was on the increase.
Brown was sceptical about the reliability of the numbers, but chief executive Hamish Riach said the focus should be on the trend, which was an increase in tourism.
If you are in the market to buy in beautiful countryside with income potential and close to ChCh, we want our home sold so check it out here.
Space, privacy, irrigation, peace and fabulous mountain views.
Please contact our agent for more information - Barry Ellis at Ray White 021 519 274.
… View moreIf you are in the market to buy in beautiful countryside with income potential and close to ChCh, we want our home sold so check it out here.
Space, privacy, irrigation, peace and fabulous mountain views.
Please contact our agent for more information - Barry Ellis at Ray White 021 519 274.
286 B Isaac Road
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