Beer, wine and BBQ events fill the South's summer lineup
Hey neighbours,
Summer in the South Island is in full flow as upcoming events are welcomed by improving weather.
Ōtautahi Smoke, the first festival of its kind in the South Island, promises a mix of barbecue food from the best grill operators in the country, music from Kiwi favourites, and drinks. It’s the newest of a range of beer, wine and food events to look forward to in the coming months.
The South Island Wine and Food festival, North Canterbury wine and food festival, Christchurch Vegan Expo and the Great Kiwi Beer festival form a lineup of events sure to attract eager foodies, drink connoisseurs and curious punters to the Garden City.
Click 'Read more' below for the full story.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.1% Yes, it's fair
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10.3% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
Cyclists forced to use ‘more dangerous’ crossing if cycleway closed
Closing a Christchurch cycleway to avoid an unsafe rail crossing will lead cyclists across an even “more dangerous” crossing, cycling advocates say.
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has weighed in on the issue, calling the move to shut a 1.5km section of the Heathcote Expressway for up to two years, “illogical”. He has asked KiwiRail to explain.
KiwiRail is demanding Christchurch City Council close part of the expressway until $6.5 million worth of safety improvements can be made to the Scruttons Rd rail crossing.
It said the “unsafe” crossing posed the risk of death or serious injury once every thousand years.
What do you do think? Read the full story by reporters Sinead Gill and Tina Law here and tell us what you think in the comments. (A subscription is required, but you can see two free articles a month).