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Regional updates for February 15th, see the live Stuff updates.
14th February - 10:45am Update: National State of Emergency
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, has confirmed a National State of Emergency this morning due to the widespread damage across the country due to … View moreRegional updates for February 15th, see the live Stuff updates.
14th February - 10:45am Update: National State of Emergency
Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, has confirmed a National State of Emergency this morning due to the widespread damage across the country due to Cyclone Gabrielle.
While many regions have already declared a local state of emergency, a National State of Emergency gives the National Controller legal authority to apply resources across the country in support of a national level response.
Here's what you need to know:
- Heavy rain red warnings are in place for Northland and Hawke's Bay, with red strong wind warnings also for Northland, Coromandel and Taranaki. Check all weather warnings on the MetService website.
- States of emergency have been declared in Northland, Auckland, Tairāwhiti, Ōpōtiki, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato District, Hauraki District, Whakatāne District, Bay of Plenty, Napier and Hastings.
- There has been a landslide in Murawai with one firefighter missing.
- Gisborne is feared cut off and the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Residents are to take note of the Welfare Centres for Gisborne and Coromandel.
- A number of road closures are in place across the North Island. View these on the Waka Kotahi NZTA website.
- Fire and Emergency is urging people to only call 111 if life or safety is at risk after a surge in calls.
- In Auckland there are 27 shelters and civil defence centres where people can go in an emergency.
Stuff are posting live updates and have shared what you need in your 3-day emergency kit. Stay up to date with Civil Defence updates and track the storm here.
2pm Update for Hawke's Bay:
Multiple evacuations needed in Puketapu, Esk Valley, Rissington, Omahu, Waiohiki, Jervoistown and Meeanee and Waipawa.
Many remain trapped in cars and houses. Several bridges have been taken out with access between Hastings and Napier now cutoff. More than 20,000 people are without power and cellphone communication in and out of the region is patchy.
Omahu residents needing shelter can go to Hastings Sports' Centre. Taradale residents can head to St Joseph's Māori Girls' School.
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The Royal New Zealand Ballet opens its 70th anniversary season with a fresh, new production of the ever-popular Tutus on Tour coming to the Ashburton Event Centre on 11th March.
See dancers from your national ballet company perform an enchanting collection of works which encapsulate the history… View moreThe Royal New Zealand Ballet opens its 70th anniversary season with a fresh, new production of the ever-popular Tutus on Tour coming to the Ashburton Event Centre on 11th March.
See dancers from your national ballet company perform an enchanting collection of works which encapsulate the history of ballet, including treasures from the RNZB’s recent past alongside classical favourites, and exciting new works which will delight dance fans of all ages.
With just one show and adult tickets starting at $35 (plus booking fee), seats are selling fast. Find out more and book at rnzb.org.nz.
Swap food for a FREE Resene testpot with Hunger for Colour!
Simply bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). We'll donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help… View moreSwap food for a FREE Resene testpot with Hunger for Colour!
Simply bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). We'll donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need.
The newest addition to the NZ Compare suite of comparison brands has landed - Mobile Compare is the home of Kiwi Mobile Plans. A one stop shop for Neighbours everywhere!
Start 2023 right! Forget overspending and getting stuck with a plan that offers too much or too little.
Whether you’re … View moreThe newest addition to the NZ Compare suite of comparison brands has landed - Mobile Compare is the home of Kiwi Mobile Plans. A one stop shop for Neighbours everywhere!
Start 2023 right! Forget overspending and getting stuck with a plan that offers too much or too little.
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Jazz up a tired set of wicker chairs with eye-popping colours and Resene FX Metallic paint.
Find out how to add a little shimmer of your own with these easy instructions.
With rising inflation, the pressure is piling on councils this year to tighten their budgets to keep rates payments down for households across the country.
Overall, do you feel that your council and community board does a good job for your area?
If you don't wish for your replies to be … View moreWith rising inflation, the pressure is piling on councils this year to tighten their budgets to keep rates payments down for households across the country.
Overall, do you feel that your council and community board does a good job for your area?
If you don't wish for your replies to be used in the We Say You Say column, include NFP in your comment.
Our February issue of our Seniors Newsletter is out now. In this issue we're keeping you in the know how on copper withdrawal and how that may affect you, plus lots more.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Spending an extra $1 million on roading is a possibility but the Ashburton District Council is keeping a close on the rate rise for 2023-24.
The full-day budget workshop on Thursday had councillors and staff work through the budgets line-by-line … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Spending an extra $1 million on roading is a possibility but the Ashburton District Council is keeping a close on the rate rise for 2023-24.
The full-day budget workshop on Thursday had councillors and staff work through the budgets line-by-line for the 2023-24 year, looking to keep to the average 5.5% rate rise outlined in the long-term plan (LTP).
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the focus is trying to keep the rates as low as possible while still delivering services.
Sticking to 5.5%, lower than the current level of inflation, Brown said the council was “sending the signal there are no increased levels of service”.
“We have even pruned some things off it.”
Roading remains the biggest concern in the community and in response, Brown proposed possibly adding $1m in additional funding.
“That could alter things, depending on how it’s funded.
“It would be an increased level of service over and above and if that’s what people want, we will do.”
A presentation from roading contractors HEB at Wednesday's council meeting provided an overview of the situation to the councillors ahead of the budget meeting.
HEB general manager of roading Harry Alderson said the ideal amount of renewals annually would be about 60km a year if funding and resources were available, but with the current funding available they are managing just under 10km.
What the council do on the roads is driven by Waka Kotahi’s subsidised funding, which is set on a three-year cycle.
An additional $1.7m, redistributed from the forestry reserves, was put into roading in the last 12 months.
Now the council is considering another $1m of unsubsidised roading in 2023-24.
Whether the community has an appetite for the additional funding for the road repairs they have beckoned for, and the additional rate increase of around 2 per cent that comes with it, would be answered through the consultation process.
It is also the last time three waters will form part of the council budget planning, with the assets planned to transfer to the water entity at the end of the 2023-24 financial year.
Work on any budget errors and how an additional $1m of roading will impact the budgets will be discussed at the next budget workshop.
“We will try and get it balanced the best we can to make it all work,” Brown said.
If the extra $1m for roading is included, or any other significant changes from the LTP, the 2023-24 draft annual plan will go out for public consultation in April.
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Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February … View moreTo celebrate Valentine’s Day, subscribe to NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, or TV Guide online at Mags4Gifts and receive an iconic box of Guylian Belgian seashells.
Simply enter the promo code ‘VALENTINES’ at the checkout to redeem this great offer. Valid until 11:59pm 14 February 2023, white stocks last. For full terms and conditions click here.
The team at Mags4Gifts.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The opening of Ashburton's new $56.75 million library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, has been pushed back again.
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said the building “remains… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The opening of Ashburton's new $56.75 million library and civic building, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, has been pushed back again.
Ashburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach said the building “remains on schedule to be completed this year, with the opening planned for the fourth quarter of 2023”.
The original completion date had been the end of 2022, but the council announced in February 2022 that delays in the construction industry caused by supply chain issues meant it wouldn’t be completed until the second quarter of 2023.
The delays had put the budget under significant pressure, Riach said.
“The $20 million from the Government's 'shovel ready' project funding has reduced the original financial input from ratepayers, but significant pressure remains on the timeline and budget due to the ongoing uncertainty of the construction market,” he said.
“Supplies have been secured for all major elements of the project and so supply chain risks have been reduced.”
There has been visible progress recently with exterior cladding and windows being installed.
“The seismic frames for the windows and the glass arrived in December,” Riach said.
“The installation of the seismic frames occurred over the summer break and windows are going up currently.
“The facade materials and cladding system arrived in early January and installation is progressing well.”
Work on the interior was progressing steadily as planned, he said.
“Plasterboard is becoming a dominant feature internally and it's pleasing to see the community meeting and activity spaces taking shape.”
As the windows go up, the external wrap will be removed piece by piece revealing the face of the building he said.
“The community can expect to see visible signs of the cladding going up in February.
“Expect to see workers tackling the roof installation next, while less visible, the internal lifts are due for April.”
The fate of the old council and library buildings had yet to be finalised.
Staff were working on options to present to the council, which included the sale of the old buildings, Riach said.
“Other future plans are afoot such as the decommissioning of the current buildings, relocation of equipment and books, and installation of technology and furniture.”
With the Baring Square East upgrade also set to begin soon, Riach said the council was working with contractors to coordinate the sequencing of multiple projects in the area and “a timeline will be known soon”.
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All too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan … View moreAll too often, our older community are found at home alone, suffering, physically hurt and unable to help themselves. If you’re living alone and would like some extra support, get to know your neighbours, reassure them that you're okay with them checking in on you, and together make a plan and talk through what warning signs to look out for should something be wrong. It could just save your life.
For more information, and tips to help you make a plan go to thehelloproject.nz
👋Happy Waitangi Weekend everyone! 🤩Are you doing anything exciting? Ashburton has so much to offer for celebrating this weekend!
🚂The plains Railway & Museum is having a fun day with activities that suits the whole family this Sunday.
🗺😋On Monday The Ashburton Multicultural … View more👋Happy Waitangi Weekend everyone! 🤩Are you doing anything exciting? Ashburton has so much to offer for celebrating this weekend!
🚂The plains Railway & Museum is having a fun day with activities that suits the whole family this Sunday.
🗺😋On Monday The Ashburton Multicultural Bite will showcase at Ashburton Domain with our diverse culture groups, performing arts and delicious food experience. A great opportunity for everyone to come and explore our district. 💚💙
#waitangiweekend #culturediversity #canterburynz
Needless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.
Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a … View moreNeedless to say, it's been a horrible week for a lot of us with the scary weather and all it's brought with it. If you're doing it tough, here's something which might help.
Stuff's podcast Stuff Explained has been talking with Hummingly's Jolie Wills, a psycho-social expert in disaster and disruption. In this short podcast interview, Jolie shares her expert advice on what you, or the people you want to support, may need right now.
Whether you're currently involved, or you want to help others, it's worth a quick listen!
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