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With torrential rain and flooding caused by an 'atmospheric river', should this event convince us all that climate change is real and we need to be taking action?
*Add NFP if you don't wish for your comments to be used for We Say You Say in the local papers.*
Sir Ashley Bloomfield was New Zealand’s Director-General of Health from June 2018 to July 2022 and became a familiar figure as the public face of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His vast career experiences over the last 25 years in public policy and health leadership include … View moreSir Ashley Bloomfield was New Zealand’s Director-General of Health from June 2018 to July 2022 and became a familiar figure as the public face of the health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
His vast career experiences over the last 25 years in public policy and health leadership include being based at the World Health Organization in Geneva, working on non-communicable disease prevention and control with a global focus.
Join us for a morning with Sir Ashley Bloomfield as he shares insight into his career and the challenges he faced during uncertain times.
Time: Wednesday 8 February, 10.30am
Location: Online.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There was bound to be a feeling of relief for the Mt Somers Walkways Society last week, not that they would easily admit it.
Society president Charles Ross said the crucial part of the new Sharplin Falls Walkway was completed with the two almost … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
There was bound to be a feeling of relief for the Mt Somers Walkways Society last week, not that they would easily admit it.
Society president Charles Ross said the crucial part of the new Sharplin Falls Walkway was completed with the two almost 30m-long steel bridges installed by helicopter over the last two weeks.
“We are relieved to get through this stage,” Ross said.
“It’s been over five years to get to this stage and there is plenty of work still to be done before the track can open.
“The scaffolding will go out soon and the timber steps and lookout will be constructed, as well as finishing the track shingling.”
The complex bridge installation was led by Fulton Hogan and Ross said they have done an outstanding job in difficult conditions.
“They spent the last six weeks walking in and out most days.”
The society is eager to get people back visiting the “local treasure destination” but until the track is completed and receives DOC sign off it remains closed to the public he said.
Rockfalls on the track during and after the 2011 earthquakes meant that DOC permanently closed the track due to safety concerns in 2017.
Following extensive consultation with DOC and geologists, the society has undertaken to build the new track itself.
The cost of the two steel bridges has made up the bulk of the cost of the project, which is estimated to be around $470,000, which has all been raised by the society.
That is why there was likely a few nerves ahead of bridge installation, the “crux of the project”, and some relief they are in place, and the Society is closing in on completion.
Along the journey the Society received $5000 as a Community Projects Grant from the Ashburton District Council in 2020-21 to help cover resource and building consent costs for the new walkway, and a further $7500 from the council in 2022-23.
*Public interest journalism funded through NZ On Air
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Many schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?
Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community … View moreMany schools allow female students to wear earrings but male students aren't allowed to have an ear stud. Is it time to get rid of gender-based rules in regards to jewellery?
Share your thoughts below - write NFP if you don't wish your comments to be shared in the community paper's We Say You Say column.
Get back-to-school sorted in one shop at The Warehouse. Start smart and inspired with statement stationery, gear up with the best in tech and set them up for the future with options made with recycled materials. With a wide range of smart school essentials at even smarter prices, we’ve got … View moreGet back-to-school sorted in one shop at The Warehouse. Start smart and inspired with statement stationery, gear up with the best in tech and set them up for the future with options made with recycled materials. With a wide range of smart school essentials at even smarter prices, we’ve got everything you need to set up for an epic comeback.
Want to give back when you go back? Donate $1 to KidsCan in store to make sure more Kiwi kids get the essentials they need in 2023.
Live independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.
A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and … View moreLive independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.
A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and her family so much happiness and reassurance.
“All the family cried when he moved in. They were so happy because it was such a beautiful thing to have him close by.”
Get New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.
Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, … View moreGet New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.
Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, Nick’s own furry friend.
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From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Ashburton District Council says it won’t be muzzled by receiving $4.19 million in the Three Waters ‘better off’ funding.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the council will continue to oppose the Three Waters reforms, in its current form,… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Ashburton District Council says it won’t be muzzled by receiving $4.19 million in the Three Waters ‘better off’ funding.
Ashburton mayor Neil Brown said the council will continue to oppose the Three Waters reforms, in its current form, but didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to receive valuable Government funding.
“It’s money that is lying on the table and if we didn’t take it we won’t get the opportunity again,” Brown said.
“Three waters is legislated now so, under this government, it is happening but we can still voice our opposition.”
The funding will go towards getting additional projects completed without an impact on the ratepayers, he said.
The council submitted seven projects for the first tranche of the Government’s Three Waters Reform support package, termed better off funding.
The council tried to include an amendment to the agreement that confirmed the council can maintain its opposition without risking the funding.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) didn’t accept it or any of the proposed changes to the funding agreement.
He said the DIA did acknowledge that signing the agreement in the DIA’s required format does not restrict councils from independently expressing their views on the reform programme.
“These comments from DIA give council clear confidence that we can oppose the reforms in their current form, while accepting the better off funding for the benefit of the community,” Riach said.
The funding approved by the DIA includes $2.3m to help relocate Ashburton’s rail freight hub from the centre of town to the soon-to-be under-construction Fairfield Freight Hub at Fairton.
That covers the council’s contributions towards the $14m project being led by the Wareing Group, which also has a $2.5m Government contribution from Waka Kotahi’s NZ Upgrade Programme.
Council business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said the projects had to meet certain criteria to qualify for funding, which included it couldn’t be used on three waters projects or projects already budgeted for in the annual or long-term plan.
Macdonald said now the funding has been approved work on the projects will begin, and the DIA will monitor their progress and manage funding.
The council is eligible for a further $12.6m of better off funding in the second tranche, earmarked for 2024.
The council will also receive $437,000 of transition support funding to assist with the three waters transition work it is required to do.
Better Off Funding projects
$2.3m: Fairfield Freight Hub
$900,000: additional new footpaths around the perimeters of Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia.
$250,000: New toilets at Digby Park in Ashburton.
$200,000: urgent repairs to five playgrounds
$200,000: changing rooms at the Rakaia and Hinds swimming pools, water treatment upgrades for all five district pools, and design work for a future upgrade of the Tinwald pool
$190,000: equipment in specialist spaces in the new Ashburton Public Library and Civic Centre, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka.
$150,000: to relocate the South African War Memorial from Baring Square East to Baring Square West, as part of a major redevelopment of Baring Square East
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A new Ashburton District Councillor should be known by May 12 at the latest.
That is if more than one candidate stands in the Western Ward by-election, but if only one candidate comes forward they will win the seat uncontested on March 16, and … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A new Ashburton District Councillor should be known by May 12 at the latest.
That is if more than one candidate stands in the Western Ward by-election, but if only one candidate comes forward they will win the seat uncontested on March 16, and save an expensive by-election process.
The vacancy in the Western Ward follows the death of second-term Councillor Rodger Letham in December.
Council chief executive, Hamish Riach, said the community has the significant task of nominating and electing a candidate who can bring the same dedication and enthusiasm to the council table that Letham had.
The election dates won’t be official until the formal Notice of Election is issued in February Riach said, but he hoped releasing the details “will get people thinking about who might make a good candidate or to consider standing themselves”.
Under the planned timeline, a Notice of Election will be issued by the District’s Electoral Officer on February 13.
Nominations will then open from February 16 until March 16.
At that point, if only one eligible candidate is nominated they will win the election unopposed but if more than one eligible nomination is received, postal voting will open on April 20 and close at noon on May 12.
Riach said the timing meets statutory timeframes while avoiding a clash with the Easter period when many people would be travelling.
“We want our residents to have the best possible opportunity to make a considered choice about who will represent them,” he said.
In the recent election, both deputy mayor Liz McMillan and Letham were successful in their bid to be re-elected with Dame Lynda Topp the only other candidate that ran.
WHO CAN STAND
A candidate will need to be nominated by two electors who live inside the western ward, however, the candidate themselves can live anywhere in the country as long as they’re on the parliamentary electoral roll.
Riach is encouraging those who were new to the area, had moved recently, or didn’t receive voting papers during the October elections to check their enrolment details were up to date at vote.nz.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign as prime minister before February 7.
With this year's general election scheduled for Saturday, October 14, discussions surrounding the new leader of the Labour Party are in progress.
Share your thoughts below (include Not For … View morePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign as prime minister before February 7.
With this year's general election scheduled for Saturday, October 14, discussions surrounding the new leader of the Labour Party are in progress.
Share your thoughts below (include Not For Print if you don't wish for your comments to be published)
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Many high schools report that vaping is a growing issue despite the 18+ legal smoking age and this has been associated with the proximity of schools to vaping retailers.
Recent amendments have been made to The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act to limit nicotine in … View moreMany high schools report that vaping is a growing issue despite the 18+ legal smoking age and this has been associated with the proximity of schools to vaping retailers.
Recent amendments have been made to The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act to limit nicotine in products and cease supply to those born in/after 2009. Less retailers are to be approved and product packaging made less appealing.
Until March 15, public submissions will accepted regarding these changes, especially around the location and quantity of retail stores as well as the appeal and addictiveness of smoked tobacco products.
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