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Congratulations to our $100 Mitre 10 prize winners this week:
Sonia Lewis of St Albans
Hinemoa Henderson of Taupo
Ryan Dunseath of Te Atatu Peninsula
Tāmātī Kaiwai of Clouston Park
Sarah Bullard of Nelson
Winners, you can claim your prize here before the 24th of October. Enjoy!
The Rugby World Cup is underway, are you a fan?
New Zealand's All Blacks have won the RWC three times - 1987, 2011 and 2015. Do you remember these? Whether you were in the grandstand or on the couch, tell us what you remember of these historic moments...
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Criticism of consultation methods are being considered ahead of one of the biggest engagement processes for Ashburton District Council: the long-term plan.
Considering how to engage with the community is almost as important as what is consulting … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Criticism of consultation methods are being considered ahead of one of the biggest engagement processes for Ashburton District Council: the long-term plan.
Considering how to engage with the community is almost as important as what is consulting on, democracy and engagement group manager Toni Durham (pictured) said.
“It’s a consistent challenge and focus for us to ensure that people are engaged throughout the community.
“We are reviewing ways to improve this, despite the resourcing constraints we have.”
The council’s approach to consultation came under fire during the recent economic development strategy (EDS).
Several submitters suggesting that the draft EDS lacked cultural diversity and was light on business responses, considering it was an economic strategy.
Some submissions also questioned if there had been enough engagement before the draft was produced.
The EDS draft was formed with input from businesses and groups that were engaged in the process through a series of workshops and conversations since 2021, Durham said.
“These stakeholders helped to form the intent and action points in the draft document.”
What wasn’t clear in the strategy was who those stakeholders were and what exactly they had added.
“We are always conscious of ensuring draft documents are concise and clear to be readable to the community.
“We will consider how best to provide this information in the future.”
Council chief executive Hamish Riach said the consultation process looked at whether to go to the community with a blank piece of paper or prepared draft as the starting point.
The council could engage with a lot more people to form any draft but “a really deep participatory approach would require significantly different resourcing”, Riach said.
Strategies and policies are generally developed with some pre-engagement to help shape the draft document and then consultation to refine it, Durham said.
“The balance is always in ensuring the right conversations, with the right people at the right time.”
The council had a "pleasing response" to its pre-engagement for next year’s LTP process, with more than 900 responses to the survey and workshops, Durham said.
That number could bode well for when the LTP draft is released for consultation next year. The 2021-31 draft LTP only received 431 submissions.
Durham said that figure was low but it reflected the work of the pre-engagement undertaken for the last LTP.
Council officers are preparing business cases and activity plans to be considered for the LTP.
“This work will continue over the next 10 months,” Durham said.
Lighten and brighten a dull, old wooden floor with Resene Colorwood Whitewash.
Find out how to get the whitewashed look in your home with this easy project.
If you felt the recent earthquake, your first thought was probably the safety of your loved ones. So now’s the time to think about protecting them by making your home quake safe.
The good news is there’s a lot you can do right now, like securing tall and heavy furniture, and getting a … View moreIf you felt the recent earthquake, your first thought was probably the safety of your loved ones. So now’s the time to think about protecting them by making your home quake safe.
The good news is there’s a lot you can do right now, like securing tall and heavy furniture, and getting a builder to look at your chimney. Everything you need to know is at Toka Tū Ake EQC’s site.
Don’t wait for the next earthquake to shake you into action, get started now.
Dear neighbours, we're looking forward to spring and summer, and strawberries! Well, right now particularly we are looking for strawberry recipes for the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by September 17, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the November issue of… View moreDear neighbours, we're looking forward to spring and summer, and strawberries! Well, right now particularly we are looking for strawberry recipes for the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by September 17, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the November issue of NZ Gardener.
Morning Everyone!
Our regional Young Farmers is hosting a free Health and Wellbeing Event next Thursday!
We have got some awesome speakers coming along to share their stories and give us some tips on how to best manage our health and wellbeing!
Our number one aim is to get farmers off the … View moreMorning Everyone!
Our regional Young Farmers is hosting a free Health and Wellbeing Event next Thursday!
We have got some awesome speakers coming along to share their stories and give us some tips on how to best manage our health and wellbeing!
Our number one aim is to get farmers off the farm and out of the tractors to come down and have a chat, meet someone new and learn some skills as we know the huge impact being in the agriculture industry has on your wellbeing and health!
There will be a free BBQ!
So if this sounds like something you or your friends could benefit from, head along to the link below and RSVP! (this is just for catering purposes) We encourage everyone to bring a friend along!
And would love everyone to share this out amongst their friends/family and community!
Any questions feel free to message me or the Tasman Young Farmers Region facebook and we will reply as soon as possible
Link to RSVP: events.humanitix.com...
Location: Southbrook Rugby Club Rooms, Rangiora
Time: 7pm Start (come earlier to socialise and meet someone new)
Doors will open 6:30pm
We can all generally agree that noise from loud music or parties in the early hours of Sunday is a no-no. But when is it okay to fire up the power tools, leaf blower or lawn mower on a Sunday morning?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say… View moreWe can all generally agree that noise from loud music or parties in the early hours of Sunday is a no-no. But when is it okay to fire up the power tools, leaf blower or lawn mower on a Sunday morning?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
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 moreLower 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.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A two-month delay in clearing flood debris from a SH1 bridge is “not acceptable”, Ashburton’s mayor says.
The debris from the July 23 floods remained next to the State Highway 1 Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge, despite Waka Kotahi NZ … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A two-month delay in clearing flood debris from a SH1 bridge is “not acceptable”, Ashburton’s mayor says.
The debris from the July 23 floods remained next to the State Highway 1 Ashburton/Hakatere River Bridge, despite Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency stating on August 3 that the debris would be cleared “in the next fortnight”.
It’s now mid-September and Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said it’s not good enough.
“The delay is not acceptable.
“I was also told two weeks ago it would be removed within two weeks and it’s still there, so there will be a call to Waka Kotahi to please explain.”
So far the only action has been locals accessing the site to cut some of the debris into firewood.
Waka Kotahi maintenance contract manager for South Canterbury John Keenan said the work has been delayed while they wait for funding approval.
“While our highway contracting team waited for river levels to drop enough for them to gain safe access to the underside of the bridge and riverbed, an emergency works funding application was progressed, which has been approved in the last week and funded.
“The contractors should be starting the debris removal on the SH1 Ashburton River/Hakatere Bridge the in coming weeks, in conjunction with clearing the debris off the nearby rail bridges - at Hinds and Ashburton.”
The excuse didn't stand with Brown, who said the work needed to be done whether the funding was approved or not.
Debris forced the bridge to close on July 23.
“If it’s serious enough to close the bridge because of the debris building up, once the river level drops it should be serious enough to remove as fast as possible when it’s safe to do so," Brown said.
“That debris up against the piles causes risk for the stability of the bridge if another major flood comes down, so removing it as fast as they can would be beneficial to the life of the bridge.”
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Eight candidates are standing in what is set to be a hotly contested Rangiata electorate in the upcoming general election.
Incumbent Rangitata MP, Labour’s Jo Luxton, will go head-to-head with National’s James Meager, who is out to reclaim the … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Eight candidates are standing in what is set to be a hotly contested Rangiata electorate in the upcoming general election.
Incumbent Rangitata MP, Labour’s Jo Luxton, will go head-to-head with National’s James Meager, who is out to reclaim the traditionally National seat in Canterbury.
The Rangitata electorate was among those that swung left as the red wave swept the country in the 2020 election.
It meant Luxton achieved a first for Labour in the region, turning the National stronghold of Rangitata from blue to red as part of Labour's landslide victory.
Former Rangitata MP and National candidate Andrew Falloon quit in the lead-up to the last election amid allegations of him sending indecent images to women.
In 2017, he easily won with 56% of the vote, compared to Luxton's 36.6%.
That flipped in 2020, when Luxton beat Falloon's last-minute replacement Megan Hands, with 49.2% of the vote, while Hands received 40%.
Meager is the newcomer for National, hoping to turn the electorate back to blue.
Even if Meager does win, Luxton sits at 19 on the Labour list so she would likely retain her place in Parliament.
It is tipped to be a traditional two-horse race in Rangitata between the Labour and National candidates, but the minor parties are well represented, except for ACT.
ACT had a huge boost in 2019 claiming 9.7% of the electorate’s party vote, but will be without a candidate in 2023. Elaine Naidu Franz resigned as the ACT candidate after historic social media posts came to light and the party has not put forward a replacement.
The other candidates standing in Rangitata are Robert Ballantyne (NZ First), Barbara Gilchrist (Green), Karl Thomas (New Conservative), Wayne Shearer (New Zealand Loyal), Karl Thomas (New Conservatives), and Dolf Van Amersfoort (New Nation Party).
For those on the Māori roll in the district, they will vote in the Te Tai Tonga electorate.
Labour’s Rino Tirikatene has held the seat for four terms and is standing for a fifth.
He is running against Tākuta Ferris (Te Pāti Māori), Geoffrey Karena Fuimaono Puhi (Independent), and Rebecca Robin (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party).
Advance voting opens on October 2, with the polls closing at the physical voting booths at 7pm on October 14. Provisional results are expected to start coming through from 7pm that night.
+++FACT BOX+++
Rangitata candidates:
Robert Ballantyne, New Zealand First Party
Michael Clarkson, Rock the Vote NZ
Barbara Gilchrist, Green Party
Jo Luxton, Labour Party
James Meager, National Party
Wayne Shearer, New Zealand Loyal
Karl Thomas, New Conservatives
Dolf Van Amersfoort, New Nation Party
We've randomly drawn five lucky members to win our $100 Prezzy® cards - you can use these anywhere. Congratulations to:
Margaret Ewers of Richmond
Barbara Meurk of Feilding
Mustafa Arshad of Mount Roskill
Jared Welsh of Greymouth
Teresa Newman of Northwood
Winners, you can … View moreWe've randomly drawn five lucky members to win our $100 Prezzy® cards - you can use these anywhere. Congratulations to:
Margaret Ewers of Richmond
Barbara Meurk of Feilding
Mustafa Arshad of Mount Roskill
Jared Welsh of Greymouth
Teresa Newman of Northwood
Winners, you can claim your prize here before the 26th of September. Enjoy!
Tidying up the house? Don't forget to tidy up your bills too!
Is your broadband contract or power contract expiring soon? Now's the perfect time to COMPARE and SWITCH your broadband and power plans for a fresh start. Save money this Spring!
As Daylight Savings starts this Sunday, … View moreTidying up the house? Don't forget to tidy up your bills too!
Is your broadband contract or power contract expiring soon? Now's the perfect time to COMPARE and SWITCH your broadband and power plans for a fresh start. Save money this Spring!
As Daylight Savings starts this Sunday, remember to set your clocks before bedtime.
Kia ora koutou, It’s Natalie here from Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori TV) and I’m excited to tell you about this fabulous new TV show called "West Coasters".
It's an intimate documentary series that gives us a peek into the lives of a Māori community here in the rugged Te… View moreKia ora koutou, It’s Natalie here from Whakaata Māori (formerly Māori TV) and I’m excited to tell you about this fabulous new TV show called "West Coasters".
It's an intimate documentary series that gives us a peek into the lives of a Māori community here in the rugged Te Tai ō Poutini region of the South Island. What sets it apart is its authenticity, showcasing their deep connection to the land and their dreams for the future. The Arahura River, flowing through their ancestral lands with its revered pounamu, plays a central role. It's a show that'll truly move you – don't miss it !
West Coasters – Mane Monday 7.30pm on Whakaata Māori or streaming on Māori+
We’re so excited to let you know that the NZ House & Garden Tours are back for another sell-out summer. ☀️
In 2024, we're visiting Queenstown (16 & 17 February), Christchurch (23 & 24 February), Whanganui (15 & 16 March) and Tauranga (22 & 23 March).
Whether … View moreWe’re so excited to let you know that the NZ House & Garden Tours are back for another sell-out summer. ☀️
In 2024, we're visiting Queenstown (16 & 17 February), Christchurch (23 & 24 February), Whanganui (15 & 16 March) and Tauranga (22 & 23 March).
Whether you’re a design enthusiast or just want to take a peek inside some of New Zealand's most beautiful homes, join us for a day of inspiration and fun. It’s the perfect excuse for you to gather a group of friends and make a day ... or weekend of it. These tours proudly support Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
🚨 Tickets are on sale now! Purchase your tickets here.
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