Extension to Christchurch tram allows patrons to circle the city
The extension to Christchurch's tram has finally been completed and was opened to the public on Thursday.
Trams now continue travelling from the corner of Manchester St along High St, up Tuam St and turning into Poplar St before heading back down Lichfield St.
Christchurch City Council head of transport and waste management Lynette Ellis said the project had "really added to the special character of High St".
A new tram stop and shelter had also been installed at the intersection of Tuam and High
streets intersection
The life-sized bronze corgis that were installed in High St
in 2003 to mark the Queen’s golden jubilee have been moved to sit
beside the new shelter.
Jewel Lewis, 78, made the most of her time hunkering down at home during Covid to create a special tribute to Christchurch's tram.
"Forty years ago, while driving down the long drive into the Canterbury Sun Club at Rolleston, I was always taken with an old tram sitting in a paddock and used as a shed. Our Pop was particularly fond of it as he used to drive the same tram on the Sumner route many years before," she said.
"It has since been on my bucket list to replicate this in miniature and I have finally done so. I researched it, drew up all the plans ... and sent it through to my 85-year-old friend who has a laser cutter in his back shed."
She then made kits for her miniaturist-loving friends. The photos below show one tram in pristine form "as a lady shed snug" and one in "bashed form where it turns into an old decrepit shed".
Here's Thursday's thinker!
I am lighter than air, but a hundred people cannot lift me. What am I?
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.
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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47.9% Yes
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50.2% No
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1.9% 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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