Welcome to Biketober!
Biketober (a fusion of bike + October), is a month-long celebration of cycling in Christchurch. We’re bringing together all things bike-related this spring, for anyone interested in cycling. You might be a commuter, cycling family, sports cyclist, or someone who’d just like to meet others who enjoy being out and about by bike.
Over 50 events and activities are planned, including social bike rides, go-by-bike breakfasts, a pedal-powered cinema, bike maintenance workshops, a cargo bike rally, and more. Many events are organised by the amazing volunteer groups we have in town. Some happen anyway, some of them are Biketober ‘specials’ and others are bigger events that we’re linking up with, like Avon Otakaro’s family event ‘Meet in the Middle’, BECA Heritage week and New Zealand’s first ever Bike Expo.
The NZ Bike Expo at the Air Force Museum at Wigram on 28-29 October is a consumer show with a community heart. It’s for everyone interested in bicycles, from sports cyclists to recreational riders, kids, commuters, cycle tourers, and those interested in e-bikes. If you’re looking to buy a new bicycle or bike-related gear, keen to try out e-bikes, planning an adventure or holiday on cycle trails or want to enter an event, the Expo will get you on your journey. See nzbikeexpo.nz.
During the month, make sure you also pick up your Biketober passport! The Biketober passport will take you to 16 bike-friendly venues throughout October along the new major cycleways. Hand your stamped passport in at the NZ Bike Expo, your final destination, where there’s a chance to win some fabulous prizes.
More details about Biketober, including a full programme of events, can be found at www.biketober.nz.... Or look us up on Facebook and Twitter at @biketoberchch.
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Poll: Should employees be able to work from home?
At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).
Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from home? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.
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70.1% Yes
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26.8% No
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3.1% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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