Ashburton District, Ashburton

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

736 days ago

Tsunami evacuation zones updated

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Minor changes in revised tsunami evacuation zones mainly impact 10 rural properties.

The Ashburton District Council released its updated tsunami evacuation zones after scientific modelling showed new areas that could be flooded in some worst-case … View more
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Minor changes in revised tsunami evacuation zones mainly impact 10 rural properties.

The Ashburton District Council released its updated tsunami evacuation zones after scientific modelling showed new areas that could be flooded in some worst-case tsunami scenarios.

Council strategy and compliance group manager, Jane Donaldson, said most of the newly included area is rural land rather than homes, but people who live or spend time near the coast are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated zones.

“These events are rare, so people don’t need to be alarmed, however they should have a plan for what to do if they need to evacuate.”

Based on the new modelling, that was commissioned by Environment Canterbury, the changes in the Ashburton District are relatively minor, with around 10 new properties included in the revised zones.

Settlements such as the South Rakaia Huts, Lower Hakatere Huts, and North Rangitata Huts were already located within existing tsunami evacuation zones.

The district has two tsunami evacuation zones, red and orange.
The red zone is most likely to be affected by a tsunami and includes estuaries, river mouths, and beaches where a tsunami of any size could cause strong currents and surges in the water.

The orange zone is less likely to be affected by a tsunami than the red zone and includes areas of land that could be flooded in a large tsunami.

Donaldson said that people in the red and orange zones need to evacuate immediately if they feel a long or strong earthquake, or receive an official tsunami warning.

“There may not be time for an official warning, so once the shaking stops, head immediately inland until you’re outside of the evacuation zones.”

Donaldson said coastal residents should search their address on the council website (ashburtondc.govt.nz/tsunami) and see if any of their property is within a tsunami evacuation zone.

ECan senior scientist - natural hazards, Helen Jack, said the likelihood of a tsunami being created close to Ashburton’s coast is small, and the biggest tsunami threats for the district are those created by large earthquakes on the Hikurangi or Kermadec subduction zones (to the east and north of the North Island), the Puysegur subduction zone (to the south of Fiordland), or by large earthquakes off the coasts of Central or South America.

A map of the new evacuation zones and further information can be found at: Ashburtondc.govt.nz/tsunami

*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

736 days ago

Childs' treasure chest

The Team from Resene ColorShop Ashburton

Turn an ordinary wooden gift box into a treasure chest with Resene paint! A place to keep Lego, figurines, and all the treasures kids love to collect. Add a unique decorative feature to the lid to make it a special keepsake.

Find out how to create your own.

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736 days ago

What is the measure of a full life?

At Ryman, we believe the measure of a full life is one that gets richer with age. It’s rediscovering lost passions and plunging headfirst into new ones. It’s embracing new experiences right there on your doorstep. That’s why we’re creating communities that challenge the expectation of … View moreAt Ryman, we believe the measure of a full life is one that gets richer with age. It’s rediscovering lost passions and plunging headfirst into new ones. It’s embracing new experiences right there on your doorstep. That’s why we’re creating communities that challenge the expectation of aging, while bringing job and meaning to every moment.

We are honoured to present our latest brand campaign that explores our residents lives through their eyes. From the poignant moments of life in care, to our residents continuing to push the boundaries of what they want to achieve.
Learn More

736 days ago

food exchange/giveaway fresh duck eggs, vegetable scraps wanted.

Kim from Oxford

Howdy neighbours

I have a whole lot of pet and rescued ducks who are laying lots of yummy eggs. Unfortunately I am too busy with work and with general duck care to have the time right now to collect, grade, check, market and sell these eggs, so they are piling up until I get time to cook them … View more
Howdy neighbours

I have a whole lot of pet and rescued ducks who are laying lots of yummy eggs. Unfortunately I am too busy with work and with general duck care to have the time right now to collect, grade, check, market and sell these eggs, so they are piling up until I get time to cook them and feed back to the ducks or they go to waste.

Duck eggs can be used the same way you would use chicken eggs and are considered richer and more gourmet than chicken eggs. They are usually preferred by chefs for baking. And most people who are allergic to chicken eggs can eat duck eggs. They are larger than chicken eggs and due to a thicker shell usually keep longer. They are also used by a lot of people to create salted eggs (which apparently keep for a long time) or cultural delicacies such as century eggs.

This feels wasteful to me as they are a good nutritious form of food and we are in a situation right now where food is expensive.

I also have another problem which is that my ducks could so with some fresh vegetables or vegetable scraps, and since moving out to Oxford, I cannot find any vegetable markets nearby which offer scraps that I can feed to my ducks.

So I am hoping I can solve both these problems at once, by offering free nutritious duck eggs to anyone out there who has excess vegetables from their garden, or excess vegetable scraps to offer my ducks (and make their day) in return.

The ducks are laying around 2 dozen eggs a day, and they would love to swap them for the following types of vegetables and vegetable scraps:

Cauliflower and broccoli leaves (they will eat the cauli and broccoli too but they actually prefer the leaves)
Carrot tops and carrots (again I think they prefer the tops lol)
Cabbage in small amounts, lettuce in large amounts
Green peas in any amounts
Beetroot
Corn/sweet corn
Kale
Tomatoes
Strawberries grapes. Raspberries
Silverbeet
Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
Cucumber, courgettes
Duck weed if anyone has any on their pond etc
Celery
Any of the above that has gone to seed is also fine
Probably other things that are not coming to mind right now, feel free to text and ask.

They can’t eat the following or any other vegetables which have been contaminated with any significant amount of these vegetables as they are toxic to ducks.

Beans (toxic to ducks unless cooked which I just don’t have time to be doing right now)
Onions (toxic)
Egg plant (toxic)
Avocados

Alternatively if any food banks are willing to collect from View Hill, Oxford please get in touch.

Please text me on 020 406 41485 if interested. Pickup from view hill Oxford, or can maybe meet you in Oxford or Rangiora when I am going to either if you are happy to meet up at short notice.

If there is anyone else who has an excess of some type of food they wish to exchange, even if it is not what I need or you don’t need duck eggs, pls post a comment on this post, maybe we can do a three way exchange or someone else might have something useful or a need. It would be good to have a forum to exchange excess food with summer coming up. I know a lot of people will end up with more of certain vegetables in the vegetable garden than they need, and it seems silly for food to be wasted when we can maybe all help each other out.

Also if there is anyone out there who is just genuinely struggling at the moment with the constantly skyrocketing food costs who would find some eggs helpful for their own fridge, get in touch with me as I have plenty.

Admin: I put this under free stuff as it was closer to that than buy or sell and there is no exchange option, I hope that is not breaching any terms.

Free

736 days ago

Traps and plants to bring back the kea

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Mt Hutt users are waging war on the pest population in the hope of restoring an endangered kea population.

Bike Methven, having recently added new predator traps to an established setup by Mt Hutt Ski Area, has started its trapping programme after… View more
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Mt Hutt users are waging war on the pest population in the hope of restoring an endangered kea population.

Bike Methven, having recently added new predator traps to an established setup by Mt Hutt Ski Area, has started its trapping programme after receiving a $6000 grant from the Ashburton District Council.

Secretary Claire Harden said the club had purchased five small rat and stoat traps and two state-of-the-art possum traps that were proving quite effective, with one taking down six possums in its first five days.

“We had a lot of reports of stoats, ferrets, and possums last year so thought we would help try and get on top of it, Harden said.

The club would look to seek further funding to get more traps to help restore the native wildlife.

As well as removing pests, the club was working to eradicate wilding sycamores from the area.

Bike Methven’s efforts would work alongside Mt Hutt Ski Area’s established trapping and planting programmes.

Mt Hutt spokesman Richie Owen, who is also the Methven Community Board deputy chairman, said they now had 70 traps and have had over 800 successful kills in four years.

He said regular checking and baiting of the lines would commence by Mt Hutt staff during the summer months.

The ski area has also planted around 6500 native trees in the Mt Hutt forest area adjacent to the access road and a corridor running down the dry creek riverbed.

The trapping and planting have meant that bird life was increasing, which Owen said was a good sign.

“There has been a steady increase in Kereru and Kārearea NZ Falcon sightings.”

The hope is to see the endangered kea population return to the mountain because there used to be about 25 birds in the area until four years ago.

*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

738 days ago

Can you help Paint it Orange?

Resene

Hey Neighbours, did you know that Arthritis affects more than 700,000 New Zealanders and is a leading cause of disability?

This month you could help Arthritis New Zealand by purchasing a testpot of your favourite orange.

Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop… View more
Hey Neighbours, did you know that Arthritis affects more than 700,000 New Zealanders and is a leading cause of disability?

This month you could help Arthritis New Zealand by purchasing a testpot of your favourite orange.

Buy any orange Resene testpot 60 ml at your local Resene owned ColorShop in November 2021 and Resene will donate $1 to Arthritis NZ! The more orange testpots you buy, the more will be donated.
Find out more

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740 days ago

Win a brand-new home!

Heart Foundation

For only $15 a ticket, you can win a brand-new home in Whitianga valued at over $1.2 million. Built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is spacious, open-planned and comes fully-furnished!

Make it your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental or sell it … View more
For only $15 a ticket, you can win a brand-new home in Whitianga valued at over $1.2 million. Built to perfection by Jennian Homes, this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is spacious, open-planned and comes fully-furnished!

Make it your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental or sell it – it could be all yours for only $15! Be in to win by purchasing a ticket today.
Find out more

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740 days ago

Know a deserving neighbour?

Ashleigh from Neighbourly.co.nz

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 more
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 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.

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742 days ago

Woodland wonderland

The Team from Resene ColorShop Ashburton

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.

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743 days ago

shed poles

Ruby from Oxford

4 treated poles 4.8M x170mil C3
$500 for 4
Very straight. Pick up Oxford

Negotiable

749 days ago

Poll: When it comes to mowing the street berm, do you take care of the neighbour's too?

Colleen from Neighbourly.co.nz

There's a fine line between being helpful and minding your own business.

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When it comes to mowing the street berm, do you take care of the neighbour's too?
  • 41% Of course! It's the neighbourly thing to do.
    41% Complete
  • 22% I'd consider it, but probably wouldn't without checking first.
    22% Complete
  • 13.1% No way, I can barely get my own done as it is.
    13.1% Complete
  • 20.8% I don't have a berm so it's not an option to consider.
    20.8% Complete
  • 3.1% People mow berms?
    3.1% Complete
490 votes
746 days ago

Poll: Hey Christchurch neighbours! Are you planning to check out Scape 2022?

Colleen from Neighbourly.co.nz

Scape, Christchurch's public arts festival, kicks off this Saturday. It's free to view and aims to revolutionise the city's open spaces.

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Hey Christchurch neighbours! Are you planning to check out Scape 2022?
  • 18.4% Cool! I can't wait to check it out again.
    18.4% Complete
  • 28% I've never heard of Scape, but count me in.
    28% Complete
  • 20% It's a great initiative, but not my thing
    20% Complete
  • 33.6% Hm, I think I'll leave it to the true art fans
    33.6% Complete
125 votes
744 days ago

Balancing the roles of radio and councillor

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

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 more
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 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

745 days ago

Art Your Bra competition helps highlight importance of breast screening

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

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 more
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 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

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748 days ago

The Must-Give Christmas Gift!

Christmas Box

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 more
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, 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.
Donate now

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