Heathcote Valley, Christchurch

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.

2626 days ago

Love Food Hate Waste Workshops

Media Team from Christchurch City Council

A friendly reminder, the Food Lovers Masterclasses are happening next Tuesday and Wednesday. Along with great food waste knowledge, skills and techniques, all attendees receive a goodie bag valued at $100. Spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Tuesday 12 September Workshop: … View more
A friendly reminder, the Food Lovers Masterclasses are happening next Tuesday and Wednesday. Along with great food waste knowledge, skills and techniques, all attendees receive a goodie bag valued at $100. Spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Tuesday 12 September Workshop: bit.ly...

Wednesday 13 September Workshop: bit.ly...

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2627 days ago

Redcliffs landswap approved by Council

Media Team from Christchurch City Council

Christchurch's Redcliffs School will rebuild a new campus following today's Council decision.
Read more at NEWSLINE: bit.ly...

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2627 days ago

Garage Sale this Saturday

Lucy from Cashmere

Hey everyone! We are having a Garage Sale this Saturday from 9 -2 at 124 Rose Street, Somerfield.
Lots of kitchen/house hold items, clothing (including Sports/Kathmandu gear), books, DVDs, sofa, bed base, golf clubs and more! we will also have a table of free stuff that we hope someone may have a … View more
Hey everyone! We are having a Garage Sale this Saturday from 9 -2 at 124 Rose Street, Somerfield.
Lots of kitchen/house hold items, clothing (including Sports/Kathmandu gear), books, DVDs, sofa, bed base, golf clubs and more! we will also have a table of free stuff that we hope someone may have a use for instead of ending up in landfill!

V
2626 days ago

Re: ANTI-LIQUOR SHOP PROTEST TODAY @ 3.15PM - CNR ALDWINS/FERRY RD

Viv from Woolston

Just a reminder to please come and show your community support this afternoon for 1/2 hour in opposition to yet another bottle store in our area.
With your presence, we have a good chance of presenting to the CCC that this proposed bottleshop should not proceed, within our local shopping centre … View more
Just a reminder to please come and show your community support this afternoon for 1/2 hour in opposition to yet another bottle store in our area.
With your presence, we have a good chance of presenting to the CCC that this proposed bottleshop should not proceed, within our local shopping centre adjoined to the The Mad Butchers and Couplands' Bakery. Thank you! [14 degrees and sunny weather forecaste for this afternoon : ) ]

Vivienne Yeki Receptionist | Communications | Administration - Linwood College
- in support of the Phillipstown Community's submission to CCC opposing the proposed liquor outlet.

See link below for more information: www.stuff.co.nz...

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2626 days ago

Spotlight on Employment Agreements (lack of . . .)

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

Another part of the work Citizens Advice does is to track the sort of calls for help we get and shine a 'spotlight' on areas of concern.

Citizens Advice Bureau releases report that shows many employers are breaking the law

Media Release
7 September 2017

Employers are breaking … View more
Another part of the work Citizens Advice does is to track the sort of calls for help we get and shine a 'spotlight' on areas of concern.

Citizens Advice Bureau releases report that shows many employers are breaking the law

Media Release
7 September 2017

Employers are breaking the law by denying workers their entitlement to a written employment agreement. Citizens Advice Bureau has produced a report based on the situations of 473 clients who contacted the CAB in the six months from 1 December 2016 to 31 May 2017 who did not have written employment agreements and who were dealing with a range of other breaches of their employment rights.

“When there is no written employment agreement, employees are vulnerable to being treated badly by their employer”, said Jayne McKendry, Social Policy Advisor at Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand. Ms McKendry and her colleagues have looked closely at the 473 enquiries and they are appalled at the very clear breaches of law for these people.

“We have seen situations of employees not being paid wages owed to them, having their hours of work changed without discussion, and even being fired on the spot for taking a day’s sick leave” states Ms McKendry. “These are clear abuses of employees’ rights, rights which are very clearly stated in the law”, McKendry noted.

The CAB acknowledges that having a written employment agreement doesn’t guarantee that minimum standards of employment will be upheld, but they assert that a written agreement is a fundamental starting point for any employment relationship. They are calling on all employers, regardless of the size of their business, to make sure they understand their obligations to their staff.

“If you don’t know what’s legally required of you as an employer, it’s time you found out. There is plenty of information and support available to help you”, asserts McKendry.

CABs have seen many situations where things have gone awry at the end of the employment relationship, something that could have been prevented if there was a written employment agreement giving both parties a clear understanding about giving notice and about treating each other fairly and in good faith. “Having a written employment agreement makes life easier for both employers and employees” McKendry noted.

“CABs have received enquiries from clients who got fired on the spot for having a day off sick, or who’ve been told to either work longer hours or leave, or even for asking for an employment agreement. This is clearly unfair, and unlawful.”

“We’ve also talked to people who’ve just walked off the job with no, or very little, notice. In this situation, not having a written employment agreement doesn’t help the employer either”, Ms McKendry noted.

The Labour Inspectorate has statutory powers to enforce compliance with employment laws but given how widespread non-compliance is, they are seriously under-resourced to be able to respond to every breach. There is also currently nowhere for employees to go to safely report a breach of their rights and know that action will be taken in a way that will not back-fire on them.

The CAB believes that a more integrated cross-government approach is needed to address these issues, both in terms of educating employers and ensuring compliance with minimum employment standards.

The CAB hopes their report will prompt employers to get things in order and make sure every worker has a written employment agreement. “We also hope it will prompt government agencies to think of other ways to educate and upskill employers, to ensure there are consequences for those who knowingly disregard the law, and to make it easier for employees to report breaches of their rights without fear of losing their job if they do. We will certainly be advocating for this every chance we get,” Jayne concluded.

Link to full report attached

Also link on where to find us in Christchurch

Contact: Jayne McKendry, Social Policy Advisor, CABNZ, Phone 04 471 2735

Citizens Advice Bureau is an independent community organisation offering free, confidential and independent information, advice and assistance from 83 locations stretching from Northland to Invercargill. Last year volunteers received over 500,000 enquiries on issues ranging from health and family, immigration, housing and employment to consumer rights.

2627 days ago

Poll: Mahuru Māori: what does mana mean?

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Morena.
Here's our fourth challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week - we'll be running these over the weekend as well, so only toru more to go.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean … View more
Morena.
Here's our fourth challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week - we'll be running these over the weekend as well, so only toru more to go.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after you've guessed!

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Mahuru Māori: what does mana mean?
  • 26.8% Power or physical strength
    26.8% Complete
  • 3.7% Love or affection
    3.7% Complete
  • 1.2% Hope or optimism
    1.2% Complete
  • 68.3% Prestige or great authority
    68.3% Complete
82 votes
2627 days ago

Guitar lessons

Nadia from Mount Pleasant - Redcliffs

Guitar lessons with John Blackmore. 18 years experience. Check out website www.johnblackmoreguitar.com...

2629 days ago

Golden Retriever

Marisa from Cashmere

Hey Everyone☺ If anyone has, or knows of someone who has purebred Golden Retriever pups available or planning a litter (they don't need to be registered), please let me know. Thank you ☺

2627 days ago

Review: Vietnam To Go

The Team from Stuff Dining Reviews

Your local Vietnamese eatery keeps it real with authentic food and we've found it has a strong student following. Our very own Laura Baker gives it 3 stars - do you agree? Have you checked it out?

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2627 days ago
2627 days ago

Christchurch Rental Market

For those of you interested in what the rental market is doing in Christchurch, please have a read of this link. If you have any questions, please call our office.

J
2628 days ago

bikes

John from Bromley

Hi anybody missing 2 push bikes i seen 2 for the last 4 days look stolen
to me no locks on them.
Thanks
John

2628 days ago

City bees: hive of activity

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours, thought you might enjoy this article about the bees you share your city with.

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2628 days ago

Poll: Mahuru Māori: what does taonga mean?

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Morena.
Here's our third challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after … View more
Morena.
Here's our third challenge for the week, leading up to next week's Māori Language Week.
How good is your reo? We're going to challenge you to guess what common Māori words and phrases mean every day this week. Take your best guess - and no cheating (Googling) until after you've guessed!

Image
Mahuru Māori: what does taonga mean?
  • 6.3% A fearless warrior
    6.3% Complete
  • 73.7% A highly prized resource or object
    73.7% Complete
  • 9.5% An ancient fable or story
    9.5% Complete
  • 10.5% An artifact from long ago
    10.5% Complete
95 votes
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