Ashburton District, Ashburton

Let's get familiar!

Let's get familiar!

Introduce yourself on the Know Thy Neighbour page.

355 days ago

Poll: Top sheet or duvet?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It's a controversial topic that can cause arguments for bed companions as well as staunch bedding enthusiasts.
Some people sleep beneath a top sheet, while others have said goodbye to 'hospital corners' and just use a duvet. Let's see how kiwis are sleeping these days, share … View more
It's a controversial topic that can cause arguments for bed companions as well as staunch bedding enthusiasts.
Some people sleep beneath a top sheet, while others have said goodbye to 'hospital corners' and just use a duvet. Let's see how kiwis are sleeping these days, share your vote and your reasons below!

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Top sheet or duvet?
  • 78.8% Top sheet
    78.8% Complete
  • 20.6% Duvet
    20.6% Complete
  • 0.6% Neither - I'll share below!
    0.6% Complete
2205 votes
353 days ago

Safer Speed Plan

Christchurch City Council

Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.

We're asking for … View more
Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.

We're asking for feedback on a Draft Safer Speed Plan which sets out a three-year implementation plan and 10-year vision for safe speed areas in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

To read the plan and give feedback by 25 October visit our website.
Find out more

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353 days ago

Life-saving heart research ❤️

The Team from Heart Foundation NZ

Our research funding is all about saving lives in New Zealand ❤️ This year, we were thrilled to announce $3.7m of funding for heart research and specialist overseas training for New Zealand cardiologists. Huge thanks to our donors and supporters for their generosity and for making this … View moreOur research funding is all about saving lives in New Zealand ❤️ This year, we were thrilled to announce $3.7m of funding for heart research and specialist overseas training for New Zealand cardiologists. Huge thanks to our donors and supporters for their generosity and for making this investment in heart health possible.

Click the link to find out more about the transformative research projects.

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353 days ago

Telephone dictation voting in the 2023 General Election

The Team from Electoral Commission

If you are blind, partially blind, or have a physical disability that means you cannot mark your voting paper without help, you can use the telephone dictation voting service.

You can use the telephone dictation voting service both from within New Zealand and if you’re overseas.

You do … View more
If you are blind, partially blind, or have a physical disability that means you cannot mark your voting paper without help, you can use the telephone dictation voting service.

You can use the telephone dictation voting service both from within New Zealand and if you’re overseas.

You do need to register to use this service though, before noon (NZ time) on Saturday 14 October.

You can find more information on our website here: vote.nz...

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357 days ago

Try this heart smart chicken stir-fry!

The Team from Heart Foundation NZ

Whip up this heart smart spring chicken stir-fry for World Heart Day. Packed with fresh veggies, tender chicken, and a zesty stir-fry sauce, this dish is both flavourful and nutritious.

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354 days ago

Voting is now open in the 2023 General Election!

The Team from Electoral Commission

You can find all the information you need about where, when and how to vote at vote.nz....

If you were enrolled at your current address by September 10, you will have been sent an EasyVote pack in the mail with an EasyVote card which will make voting easier.

However if yours hasn't … View more
You can find all the information you need about where, when and how to vote at vote.nz....

If you were enrolled at your current address by September 10, you will have been sent an EasyVote pack in the mail with an EasyVote card which will make voting easier.

However if yours hasn't arrived yet you can vote without it! Find your nearest voting place here:
map.vote.nz...

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355 days ago

Happy Grandparents Day!

The Team from NZ Compare

Happy Grandparents Day to our fantastic neighbours!

We wish you a day filled with celebration for your poppa, nan, koro, grandma or g'dad, while also remembering those who are no longer with us.
May your day be brimming with joy and treasured memories!

We extend our heartfelt … View more
Happy Grandparents Day to our fantastic neighbours!

We wish you a day filled with celebration for your poppa, nan, koro, grandma or g'dad, while also remembering those who are no longer with us.
May your day be brimming with joy and treasured memories!

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their amazing nominations! Your stories have touched our hearts deeply. And the winner is... Koko Grant, nominated by Khalei-Marley Taylor-Karaitiana! Congratulations!

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357 days ago

Proposed Southland Wind Farm Project

Contact Energy

Contact Energy is preparing a resource consent application for the proposed Southland Wind Farm.

The site is on elevated land east of Wyndham. Our early concepts estimate the farm could have about 50 wind turbines and generate as much as 300MW, providing a significant contribution to the energy… View more
Contact Energy is preparing a resource consent application for the proposed Southland Wind Farm.

The site is on elevated land east of Wyndham. Our early concepts estimate the farm could have about 50 wind turbines and generate as much as 300MW, providing a significant contribution to the energy supply in Southland and New Zealand.

Contact us: 0800 268 236 (goes through to a member of our project team) or windprojects@contactenergy.co.nz
Find out more

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357 days ago

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER OF THE HOUSEHOLD HERO COMPETITION

The Team from NZ Compare

What an incredible turnout! Over 1360 Household Heroes were nominated by all of you for a chance to win a fabulous $350!
We know our nation is full of amazing Kiwis who keep things running at home, and you're all heroes!

But the real question is, did you win? Find out who's walking … View more
What an incredible turnout! Over 1360 Household Heroes were nominated by all of you for a chance to win a fabulous $350!
We know our nation is full of amazing Kiwis who keep things running at home, and you're all heroes!

But the real question is, did you win? Find out who's walking away with $350 towards their Broadband and Power bill!

Stay connected with NZ Compare for the latest broadband and power deals and exciting competitions. We're all about making it easy for you to compare and save money! CLICK HERE to learn more: www.nzcompare.com...

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359 days ago

Show us your game-day photos!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We want to see your game-day photos and we have prizes to give away!

Whether you're getting dressed up in your All Blacks finest, have an impressive rugby-themed snack collection or have made a Rugby World Cup shrine in your living room, we want to see it all on Neighbourly!

To be in to… View more
We want to see your game-day photos and we have prizes to give away!

Whether you're getting dressed up in your All Blacks finest, have an impressive rugby-themed snack collection or have made a Rugby World Cup shrine in your living room, we want to see it all on Neighbourly!

To be in to win, simply post your photo on Neighbourly along with the word: RWCfan

Go, Team!

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362 days ago

Should cats follow some rules?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We can all appreciate a good family cat but cats aren't known for toeing the line. New Zealand currently has no national cat management plan, allowing domestic and stray cats to roam and breed as they please. This can lead to the death of native species, not to mention … View moreWe can all appreciate a good family cat but cats aren't known for toeing the line. New Zealand currently has no national cat management plan, allowing domestic and stray cats to roam and breed as they please. This can lead to the death of native species, not to mention creating nuisance for neighbours. Do you think some laws should be in place for our feline friends?

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.

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360 days ago

Are you a keen gardener?

NZ Gardener

Subscribe to NZ Gardener this month and receive a Free Earths Botanics Gardeners Hand Cream worth $24 thanks to Matakana Botanicals. It’s hand cream made by gardeners, for gardeners. This offer is only available until October 1, so get in quick. T&Cs apply.

Every issue of NZ Gardener is … View more
Subscribe to NZ Gardener this month and receive a Free Earths Botanics Gardeners Hand Cream worth $24 thanks to Matakana Botanicals. It’s hand cream made by gardeners, for gardeners. This offer is only available until October 1, so get in quick. T&Cs apply.

Every issue of NZ Gardener is packed with amazing New Zealand stories, plus subscribers save money every month!

Happy Gardening,
The team at NZ Gardener
Subscribe now

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360 days ago

Nominate Your Tech-Savvy Grandparent to WIN!

The Team from NZ Compare

Have a poppa, nan, koro, grandma or g'dad who rocks the digital world?

Nominate them to WIN a $150 Prezzy® card! Nominate them now and tell us why they deserve to WIN.

Compare broadband and power bills with NZ Compare to save big and stay connected in the digital world.

*Entries … View more
Have a poppa, nan, koro, grandma or g'dad who rocks the digital world?

Nominate them to WIN a $150 Prezzy® card! Nominate them now and tell us why they deserve to WIN.

Compare broadband and power bills with NZ Compare to save big and stay connected in the digital world.

*Entries close 2 Oct 2023.
Compare now

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360 days ago

Ashburton residents say road quality is their biggest gripe

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Ashburton residents say the region's roads are their biggest gripe, but a research expert says people are just choosing it as a “default’’ response.

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents, of the 873 residents surveyed, listed roading as the … View more
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Ashburton residents say the region's roads are their biggest gripe, but a research expert says people are just choosing it as a “default’’ response.

Two-thirds (66%) of respondents, of the 873 residents surveyed, listed roading as the primary reason for dissatisfaction.

Key Research managing director Mike Hooker, who presented the results of the annual residents' survey, questioned the response.

“It’s a perennial issue for the council and it’s also what we refer to as a default attribute,” Hooker said.

“When residents are struggling to give a reason for dissatisfaction, they are defaulting to the roading network.”

The residents’ road satisfaction levels were the opposite of the council’s end-of-year performance report, which recorded the district's sealed local road network as being 98% smooth.

Councillor Carolyn Cameron said she was “fascinated” by that figure, and asked for an explanation.

Roading manager Mark Chamberlain said the smoothness figure was produced “by a machine that goes round and measures roughness”.

“While there are faults on it, the overall network is very good,” he said.

Chief executive Hamish Riach said the council knew the community was dissatisfied with the state of the roads, especially the number of potholes.

The roading network suffered from back-to-back wet winters and now, coming off a drier winter, the contractors hope to get ahead of the problems, Riach said.

“With additional resources, additional attention, and a little bit of luck from the weather, we are optimistic we can improve perceptions of the network.”

The satisfaction with the sealed roads increased up 2% to 26%. Last year's result was the lowest it had, with pothole issues.

The residents’ survey asked what the council should spend more on.

Hooker said this resulted in the “default attribute”, with 61% pointing to roading.

The council resealed 4.9% (75km) of the network in 2022/23, which came down to funding, Chamberlain said.

The survey also highlighted that Ashburton residents were more satisfied than those outside the town boundary, Hooker said.

“If you live in the Ashburton township, you are much more likely to be satisfied with every attribute that we measure than those that live in the rest of the district.”

Again, roading was the example, with Ashburton having a 33% satisfaction level with the state of the roads, while the rest of the district was at 15%.

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