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Every week, locals are being nominated for a Nice Neighbour Award and we think there's likely someone in your life who is worthy.
Whether it's someone who has been there in a time of need, has helped your family, or who regularly volunteers their time in their community - we'd love… View moreEvery week, locals are being nominated for a Nice Neighbour Award and we think there's likely someone in your life who is worthy.
Whether it's someone who has been there in a time of need, has helped your family, or who regularly volunteers their time in their community - we'd love to hear about them.
If your neighbour is picked as this week's Nice Neighbour, you’ll both receive a $25 Prezzy® card plus your special neighbour will feature in community newspapers around New Zealand as an inspiration to us all.
Let us know who should be recognised for their good deeds by nominating now.
Personalise your tree this year with adorable homemade woodland characters. Use Resene testpots to create these four cuties. Find out how to create your own.
There's a fine line between being helpful and minding your own business.
Scape, Christchurch's public arts festival, kicks off this Saturday. It's free to view and aims to revolutionise the city's open spaces.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
He’s a seasoned broadcaster but knows he has to watch what he says more than ever.
That's because Phill Hooper, the morning voice on the airwaves in Mid Canterbury for over 20 years, is now a councillor to boot.
Councillor Hooper, as … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
He’s a seasoned broadcaster but knows he has to watch what he says more than ever.
That's because Phill Hooper, the morning voice on the airwaves in Mid Canterbury for over 20 years, is now a councillor to boot.
Councillor Hooper, as well as being Hoops on Hokonui, is well aware of the risks of the dual roles.
“As far as the radio thing goes, it’s the same old same old but with more care around council topics,” Hooper said.
“I’ve built my show on being as local as I can and, of course, the council is a huge part of that.”
Hooper aims to be a voice on the Ashburton District Council but not their voice on the airwaves.
He's conscious of airing an opinion on something on air that may impact his eligibility to vote on it at the council table due to pre-determination or using his position to push an agenda.
His weekly on-air chats with Mayor Neil Brown and chief executive Hamish Riach will continue.
“As I’ve done in the past, I’ll ask the questions and let them do the answering.”
There will be some adjustment to be made but he won't be Hoops on air forever.
“The balls up in the air at the moment and [I'm] just currently weighing up my options with timing and lifestyle changes,” he said.
Hooper said he was sitting his real estate papers again as he considered a possible move away from breakfast radio.
“I’ve loved the job for so many years but there comes a time when you don’t feel valued,'' he said.
“I used to sell real estate in between radio gigs for a few years and really enjoyed it, too.
“I see it as maybe an option to work in nicely with the council, and I might be able to have breakfast with family for the first time in many years.”
As for settling into the role of councillor Hooper, he said it’s still early days, but he's enjoying it even more than he thought he would.
“What has probably kept me fired up in radio for the last few years has been the ability to help people.
“I see the council as the next level and being part of some real change, and that’s exciting.”
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
ScreenSouth in Christchurch went all out to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and highlight the BreastScreen Aotearoa national breast screening programme.
A pink-themed morning tea and fancy dress event was topped off with the Art Your Bra competition, shining a light on some of … View moreScreenSouth in Christchurch went all out to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and highlight the BreastScreen Aotearoa national breast screening programme.
A pink-themed morning tea and fancy dress event was topped off with the Art Your Bra competition, shining a light on some of the team's creative talents.
The cleverly designed bras - which were given names like Treasure Your Chest, Candleabra, and Spooky Boobs - transformed the Papanui Rd office into a gallery of stunning bra art.
Jennie Corrin’s Succulent Breasts - a creation using straw cups, real succulent plants and a hint of Halloween - took out the top 3-D prize, while Jayne Swainson's Iridescent Intimates - an intricately hand drawn and coloured design - won the 2-D category.
Corrin, who works in the call centre team, talks with women to let them know about the free national breast screening programme, help them to enrol in the programme and arrange a mammogram appointment time.
Swainson works with general practice teams across Christchurch to help them invite eligible women to book their three-yearly cervical screen.
More than 650 women die of breast cancer in Aotearoa each year.
“Our team want to raise awareness about the most common cancer for women in Aotearoa” ScreenSouth general manager Louise McCarthy said.
“We especially want to highlight that every year over 400 wāhine Māori are diagnosed with breast cancer and early detection through screening
mammograms offers the best protection”.
Women aged 45 to 69 years can call 0800 270 200 or visit timetoscreen.nz/breast-screening to book a mammogram.
ScreenSouth, based in Waitaha/Canterbury, is contracted by Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand for the provision of breast screening services in the Te Waipounamu/South Island region, cervical screening regional coordination in the Waitaha/Canterbury and South Canterbury regions and bowel screening outreach in Waitaha.
Photo: Peter Meecham/Stuff
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.
We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, … View moreMeeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.
We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, it will create a lasting impact that goes beyond a treat at Christmas.
For only $40 you can donate a Christmas Box to a family in need, providing not just practical help, but much deserved hope too.
To celebrate the FIFA World Cup, the TV Guide is giving you the chance to upgrade your lounge and impress your friends with a brand new 55” Panasonic 4K TV. Catch all the action with Panasonic’s new Premium LED TV, perfect for watching the FIFA World Cup, your favourite movies, streaming … View moreTo celebrate the FIFA World Cup, the TV Guide is giving you the chance to upgrade your lounge and impress your friends with a brand new 55” Panasonic 4K TV. Catch all the action with Panasonic’s new Premium LED TV, perfect for watching the FIFA World Cup, your favourite movies, streaming services, or classic TV shows.
Pick up a copy of the TV Guide each week between 13 Oct to 9 Nov, find the codeword, and follow the directions to be in to win! Each issue and codeword will be a new chance to win. You’ll have until 15 Nov to enter online or mail in your codeword. To view the T&Cs click here.
The team at the TV Guide
*based on recommended retail price
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Megan Fitzgerald is breaking the mould of elected members in Mid Canterbury.
The 26-year-old Fitzgerald is by far the youngest person to successfully stand in the Ashburton District’s local body elections, winning a seat on the Methven … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Megan Fitzgerald is breaking the mould of elected members in Mid Canterbury.
The 26-year-old Fitzgerald is by far the youngest person to successfully stand in the Ashburton District’s local body elections, winning a seat on the Methven Community Board.
She takes the youngest mantle from fellow community board member Richie Owen, who has some 15-plus years on her, and compared to the current crop of councillors-elect, Fitzgerald is half the age of the youngest member.
She is a fresh face and youth voice on the local governance scene.
“I’m going to use the Methven Community Board as an experience to see if it is something that aligns with where I want to head in life.
“I’m really passionate about community development and is see the council as a pivotal spot for supporting our communities now and into the future.”
Fitzgerald will bring a younger voice to the table but said it’s not it’s not the age and gender of the voice, it is what it’s saying that should matter when representing the community.
“Everyone has their own natural bias and perspective so having diversity on a board feeds into making more robust decisions, ones that represent a wider demographic of the community.
“We need representation from the older demographic and people in between.
“I’m definitely different and have a different voice and approach to thinking about things.”
Born and bred in the Methven area, Fitzgerald attended Lauriston Primary and then Mt Hutt College before heading to Lincoln University to complete a Bachelor of Agricultural Science.
A keen hockey goalie she has played for Canterbury but suffered a severe concussion in 2016.
“I had to stop studying and just take a step back as it took me three months to recover.
“As I was getting back into things, I ended up working with St John as a volunteer on the ambulance for 18 months.
“I realised how important mental health and well-being are.”
It was a turning point for her.
She then got an opportunity to work in Malawi doing community development and went to the Netherlands and studied international land and water management – “really around coordinating people and the environment to produce food”.
She continued with post-graduate studies at Lincoln completing a master's on connecting smallholders to high-value vegetable supply chains in Malawi, spending another three months in Africa, and handed in her thesis at the start of the year.
As she was studying part-time for those two years, Fitzgerald also started with Wellbeing Ōpuke.
“It’s a community initiative trying to drive well-being objectives.
“We got it from a group of community members to a full trust with two employees.
“It’s pretty cool to see where it has got to”.
With her studies completed, she has taken up a part-time role with a farm consultancy business.
“It’s been quite a journey.”
Now she is embarking on a career in local politics, set to be sworn in as a Methven Community Board member on Thursday.
While Fitzgerald is only just dipping a toe into local politics, she said running for a seat at the council could be an option, following the pathway of former Methven Community Board chair and now deputy mayor Liz McMillan.
She could also eventually even make a run to be the youngest female mayor.
Currently, Ashburton has previously only had one female Mayor, Donna Favel who was in her 50s as mayor from 2016-19.
Depending on when and if she makes a run at the mayoralty she could even be the youngest mayor in district history.
But Fitzgerald isn’t getting ahead of herself.
The first step is getting into the swing of things on the Methven Community board, with the inaugural meeting on October 31.
Fitzgerald joins returning board members Kelvin Holmes and Richie Owen as well as fellow newcomers Allan Lock and Robin Jenkinson.
- - - -
Something needs to change
Fitzgerald said something needs to be done to make local government representation more accessible to younger people.
“I’m only working part-time which has enabled me to take this opportunity, it’s not because of the pay.
“As for the council, the reimbursement for the time and energy that goes into the role isn’t enough for people in the middle of their career.”
The problem isn’t only getting younger people to stand for the positions, it’s getting them voting and engaging in the decision-making process – but it’s a problem that isn’t just specific to the younger demographics she said.
The Government is currently reviewing the future of local government and will be looking at better ways to increase engagement and participation.
Fitzgerald highlighted the need for a change in tactics to increase community engagement and said using social media is making things more accessible.
“It’s one thing I’m keen with the Methven Community Board is to look at how we get engagement with our community across different demographics."
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
“Make her death mean something.”
That was the message from Ashburton's Claire and Gerard Rushton when they fronted the Health Select Committee on their petition to provide a free meningococcal vaccine programme for all secondary … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
“Make her death mean something.”
That was the message from Ashburton's Claire and Gerard Rushton when they fronted the Health Select Committee on their petition to provide a free meningococcal vaccine programme for all secondary students.
An emotional Claire Rushton gave a detailed account of the harrowing experience of losing their daughter Courtenay to meningococcal disease in 2014.
It was a tragic, but avoidable loss that has the couple campaigning to ensure no other parent has to go through that anguish.
“It’s real and will be echoed through other families without a determined effort to eradicate the disease,” she said.
The Rushtons were leading the delegation from Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand, of which Gerard is the chair.
The day before they addressed the health select committee, Pharmac announced it plans to fund the meningococcal B vaccine from March 2023.
Pharmac plans to make the vaccine available to all children up to 12 months of age, and a catch-up programme for children from 13 to 59 months of age (inclusive) to August 31, 2025.
It will also be for people aged 13 to 25 years “who are entering into or in their first year of close-living situations”, and a catch-up programme for people this age who are already living in close-living situations to February 28, 2024.
The timing of Pharmac’s announcement was suggested to be more than a coincidence but whatever the timing, the Rushtons said the announcement “doesn’t go far enough”.
Gerard questioned why the vaccine would only be available to those attending tertiary study and living in halls of residence, and said the proposal completely misses the two most significant at-risk groups, Māori and Pasifika within the age range.
The plan was rife with discrimination Gerard said and he believes it should be more widely available than a select few.
“We need to protect all our children before they leave school,” Gerard said.
Claire said Pharmac’s announcement would not have protected Courtenay and she pleaded to the select committee to do more.
“Prevention must come before treatment.
“Make her death mean something.”
Awareness is also a major issue as Rushton has concerns that the existing vaccination programme has failed to reach the target set by the government.
“People need to know they’re eligible, and that a vaccine is available,” Gerard said.
Following the submission, the Rushtons said it was a case of waiting to see if the select committee listened and in the meantime, they will prepare to submit on Pharmac’s proposal, which closes on November 8.
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Keep daytime deliveries secure with this simple to build box that doubles as a seat painted in Resene Lustacryl. Find out how to create your own.
With spring in the air, the price of veggies on the rise and Christmas around the corner there has never been a better time to get gardening!
You don’t need to spend big to get involved, and The Warehouse has plenty of options for anyone – from the avid green thumbs to the gardening novices.… View moreWith spring in the air, the price of veggies on the rise and Christmas around the corner there has never been a better time to get gardening!
You don’t need to spend big to get involved, and The Warehouse has plenty of options for anyone – from the avid green thumbs to the gardening novices. You could grow a few veggies, fruit trees or even some windowsill herbs – all are a small step to living more sustainably, while saving a little money! Check out 7 ways to garden greener with The Warehouse.
These amazing community gardeners are finalists for our 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year. Read about their great work (and the other four finalists), and vote for your favourite!
Smartsizing is about creating a life of simplicity and enjoyment, by ensuring your home fits your lifestyle, now and in the future.
If you want to spend more time with family and friends, travel, stay active and learn new things, smartsizing makes this much easier. With less time spent on … View moreSmartsizing is about creating a life of simplicity and enjoyment, by ensuring your home fits your lifestyle, now and in the future.
If you want to spend more time with family and friends, travel, stay active and learn new things, smartsizing makes this much easier. With less time spent on maintenance and chores you’ll have more time to create a life full of enjoyment and meaning.
These webinars will offer insight into how you can make this happen.
Join us to hear from experts in their field as they offer insight into how you can achieve this.
Understanding the property market - Presented by Shane Cortese on Monday 14 November, 3:30pm.
Smart home technology - Presented by Grant Sidaway on Tuesday 15 November, 3:30pm.
Downsizing your way to a richer, happier life - Presented by Peter Walsh on Wednesday 16 November, 3:30pm.
These informative presentations are not to be missed, to find out more or to register click below.
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