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No free trams in central Christchurch due to 'operational constraints'
From reporter Tina Law:
Free tram rides will not be on offer this Easter and school holidays, in a disappointing blow to struggling central city businesses.
The Christchurch City Council was considering paying for free trams as a way to attract people back into Christchurch’s struggling central city.
Council head of facilities, property and planning Bruce Rendall said the free tram rides would not go ahead over the Easter break because of “operational constraints”. The council is in talks with tram operator Christchurch Attractions about ways to bring people back to the city centre.
Christchurch Central City Business Association chairwoman Annabel Turley said she was angry when she heard the proposal was not going ahead.
“Now is the time to support the businesses in the community.”
Turley said moving to the orange setting would give people confidence about coming back into the city, but free trams would have been a really great way to showcase the city.
She urged the council not to put money into free car parking as that would only benefit those already coming into the city for work.
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Poll: Do you mind when neighbours leave freebies on the street?
Some spare wood, used furniture or children's toys - do you mind when your neighbours leave goods on the street for others to make use of?
Share your thoughts in the comments and poll below.
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83.4% It's fine!
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14.7% It annoys me!
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1.8% Other - I'll share below
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Q&A: Financial well-being with Cat Rikihana
We're back this Wednesday at 9.30am with a Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions in advance below and Cat will answer them on Wednesday ↓
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Here's the riddle challenge for today: No Googling allowed!
What five-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
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