Merivale, Christchurch

Fair play

Fair play

Whether it’s a playhouse, she shed or teenager’s sleepout, a stencil-painted floor in Resene Clockwork Orange will elevate it from meh to wow.

391 days ago

Elections 2023: All on the line for Ilam candidates (Ilam electorate profile)

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

In the lead-up to the 2023 general election, The Press is profiling Canterbury’s electoral races. Here’s what you need to know about the five candidates running to be Ilam's MP. (By reporter Sinead Gill)

The hotly contested electorate of Ilam, in the northwest of … View more
In the lead-up to the 2023 general election, The Press is profiling Canterbury’s electoral races. Here’s what you need to know about the five candidates running to be Ilam's MP. (By reporter Sinead Gill)

The hotly contested electorate of Ilam, in the northwest of Ōtautahi/Christchurch, borders Waimakariri and Selwyn and has Christchurch Central to its east.

Before 2020, Ilam (and its forerunner Fendalton) had always been won by a National Party candidate. Its first MP, Sidney Holland, was National’s first prime minister in 1949.

National’s streak ended in 2020 when Gerry Brownlee — who was Ilam’s first and only MP since the electorate was redrawn and renamed in 1996 — lost to Labour’s Sarah Pallett by about 3500 votes.

Pallett is campaigning to keep her seat at the October 14 general election, but a Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll of 400 residents suggests National will comfortably steal it back.

Hamish Campbell - a medical researcher and lecturer with a PhD in cancer and viruses - is National’s new Ilam candidate. He ran for the Wigram electorate in 2020, losing to Labour by nearly 15,000 votes.

The electorate race is made all the more interesting by the inclusion of Raj Manji, a former two-term Christchurch city councillor with a background in finance who is now the leader of The Opportunities Party (TOP).

Manji, who became TOP leader in 2022, has openly said the party’s focus in the 2023 election was winning the Ilam electorate. He ran for Ilam as an independent in 2017, coming second to Brownlee and losing by 8200 votes. TOP has not yet been in Parliament.

With TOP polling firmly below 5% and neither Pallett nor Campbell high on their party lists, their only hope for being in Parliament is to win the Ilam seat.

Mike Davidson (Greens), Irinka Britnell (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party), Chris O’Brien (New Conservatives) and Juanita O’Connell (Democracy NZ) are also contesting the seat.

Based on 2018 census data, Ilam is home to some of the most and least affluent residents in the city. It covers the suburbs of Ilam, Fendalton, Avonhead, west Merivale, Bryndwr, Burnside and Upper Riccarton.

Nearly half of Ilam’s residents earned under $30,000 a year, had the city’s highest proportion of people earning under $5000, and the second most people earning over $70,000.

The electorate was home to over 17,000 full time students, or 21% of the electorate, in 2018. It ranked third highest in Aotearoa both for numbers of full time students and for part-time employees, and among the lowest for full-time employees. Home ownership rates are average.

Ilam isn’t the youngest electorate in the city, but ranks the highest by far for 15 to 19-year-olds (third overall across New Zealand electorates) and relatively high for 20 to 24s (6th), 80 to 84s (13th) and 85+ (9th).

Ilam has the smallest percentage of Māori and Pasifika of the Christchurch electorates, and has the second-most Asian residents.

Ilam residents enjoy healthier lifestyles than their counterparts, based on some data collected by the census. The electorate ranks first in the country for students cycling to classes, and second for employees cycling to work.

It also ranks the lowest for the number of regular and ex-cigarette smokers, and is 10th overall in Aotearoa for number of people who have never picked the habit up.

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393 days ago

Whareora Opportunity Shop

Jane Hill from Whareora Community House - Barrington

Would you like some help with minor clothing repairs? (eg hems, buttons, seams). Whareora Opportunity Shop has a NEW Mending Service on the first Saturday morning of the month (10am-12 noon). Pop down and see them tomorrow! The cost is a Koha (donation). Look for the Blue House at 8 Athelstan … View moreWould you like some help with minor clothing repairs? (eg hems, buttons, seams). Whareora Opportunity Shop has a NEW Mending Service on the first Saturday morning of the month (10am-12 noon). Pop down and see them tomorrow! The cost is a Koha (donation). Look for the Blue House at 8 Athelstan Street, opposite Barrington Mall and close to the Medical Centre.

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395 days ago

Election 2023: The Press debate is back on, with double the leaders

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Press debate is back, and it will go ahead with double the leaders.

The original debate was scheduled to take place this week, with Labour’s Chris Hipkins and National’s Christopher Luxon. But Hipkins fell ill with Covid-19 on Tuesday, and Luxon said his schedule for the following week … View more
The Press debate is back, and it will go ahead with double the leaders.

The original debate was scheduled to take place this week, with Labour’s Chris Hipkins and National’s Christopher Luxon. But Hipkins fell ill with Covid-19 on Tuesday, and Luxon said his schedule for the following week was too full to reschedule.

After postponing, The Press invited the leaders of every party tracking to return to Parliament to a debate next week.

Leaders of NZ First, the Greens, ACT and Te Pāti Māori have accepted.

They will face The Press and a crowd of more than 2000 people at the Christchurch Town Hall, on Tuesday, October 10. This will be the final power brokers debate before polling day.

Press editor Kamala Hayman said she was “thrilled” to be hosting the coalition parties in Christchurch next week, ahead of an election which was expected to give these minor parties far more power in Parliament.

Hayman, as well as Stuff political editor Luke Malpass and Stuff chief political correspondent Tova O’Brien would host the debate.

It would be streamed live on Stuff as well, from 7pm on Tuesday.

Read the full story by reporter Glenn McConnell www.stuff.co.nz... |here|.

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393 days ago

Bird & bee sanctuary

The Team from Resene ColorShop Lichfield Street

Create a birdbath with a natural sandstone paint effect with Resene Sandtex.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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393 days ago

Akaroa French Festival - this weekend 6-8 October

The Team from Citizens Advice Christchurch Area

Akaroa French Festival is a 3-day weekend event celebrating the unique culture and heritage of Banks Peninsula.

The festival hub will be in the Akaroa Recreational Ground, where guests can enjoy some live music, taste local food and wine as well as lots of French cuisine, or take in the local … View more
Akaroa French Festival is a 3-day weekend event celebrating the unique culture and heritage of Banks Peninsula.

The festival hub will be in the Akaroa Recreational Ground, where guests can enjoy some live music, taste local food and wine as well as lots of French cuisine, or take in the local fashion show and a French cooking demonstration.

Check under 'Read More' for a link to all the activities

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394 days ago

#RWCfans

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We've loving our Rugby World Cup fans sharing their photos on Neighbourly and bringing the spirit!

These fans below have won some spot prizes, keep sharing your photos to be in to win!

394 days ago

Get decorating and save with Resene!

Resene

Now’s the perfect time to get decorating with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at Resene ColorShops. Choose from thousands of colours and get your favourites tinted in Eco Choice approved Resene paints.

Ask … View more
Now’s the perfect time to get decorating with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at Resene ColorShops. Choose from thousands of colours and get your favourites tinted in Eco Choice approved Resene paints.

Ask our staff for expert advice on everything from choosing the right colour and paint to how to apply it for the best finish.
Find out more

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396 days ago

Dodgy person

Chris from Fendalton

At about 10 am this morning I Observed a man on a bike riding around Glandovey Road Thornycroft Street and feel that he is checking out properties.
He rode down 38a Glandovey Roads driveway which has a sold sign on it and I think he took a photo of it.
I followed him for a bit towards Fendalton … View more
At about 10 am this morning I Observed a man on a bike riding around Glandovey Road Thornycroft Street and feel that he is checking out properties.
He rode down 38a Glandovey Roads driveway which has a sold sign on it and I think he took a photo of it.
I followed him for a bit towards Fendalton Road and took some photos of him biking. I did also look at his face under his hoodie.
Tried to ring Police but that’s a lost cause these days.
Please lock everything up.
He was dressed in black and the bike was light blue.
Be diligent with locking everything up.

397 days ago

What's it like living with a loud voice

Sanda Reporter from Stuff

Hi there,

I'm writing a story on what's it like to live with a loud voice. Are you someone who gets high-pitched whenever you are excited? Does your family constantly nag you to dial down your voice? Or are you someone who's annoyed by your loved ones' loud talking?

If you… View more
Hi there,

I'm writing a story on what's it like to live with a loud voice. Are you someone who gets high-pitched whenever you are excited? Does your family constantly nag you to dial down your voice? Or are you someone who's annoyed by your loved ones' loud talking?

If you can relate to any such scenario, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or you can email me at sanda.arambepola@stuff.co.nz
Please put 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you don't want it or your name to appear in the article.

Thank you for taking the time to share your stories.

394 days ago

What Is Assisted Living?

Margaret Stoddart Retirement Village

Assisted-living apartments come with support that makes life easier, like housekeeping and a chef-prepared meal every day. It’s great for you, and reassuring for your family, because they know you’re being looked after. Best of all, that extra support creates more time for fun!

Apartments … View more
Assisted-living apartments come with support that makes life easier, like housekeeping and a chef-prepared meal every day. It’s great for you, and reassuring for your family, because they know you’re being looked after. Best of all, that extra support creates more time for fun!

Apartments are in the heart of the village, with easy access to everything the village has to offer. Your patio is a great place to while away the evening with a good book or to watch the world go by. It’s also the perfect spot to grow herbs and display colourful pot plants.

Click read more to see our current available apartments.

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395 days ago

Kiwi Rugby Fever: WIN SKY Sport!

The Team from NZ Compare

We're a Rugby MAD nation!
Which team are you supporting? How do they compare against the rest in this Rugby World Cup?

Share why you rate your team and you could WIN Sky Sport Now for 3 months (valued at $135)!
CLICK below to enter! Act fast, the entry deadline is October 12, 2023.

View more
We're a Rugby MAD nation!
Which team are you supporting? How do they compare against the rest in this Rugby World Cup?

Share why you rate your team and you could WIN Sky Sport Now for 3 months (valued at $135)!
CLICK below to enter! Act fast, the entry deadline is October 12, 2023.

But that's not all! Many broadband plans currently offer FREE subscriptions to top streaming services. It's the perfect time to switch!
Compare your broadband and power bills to save big this Spring!
COMPARE NOW: www.broadbandcompare.co.nz...

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397 days ago

Poll: Top sheet or duvet?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It's a controversial topic that can cause arguments for bed companions as well as staunch bedding enthusiasts.
Some people sleep beneath a top sheet, while others have said goodbye to 'hospital corners' and just use a duvet. Let's see how kiwis are sleeping these days, share … View more
It's a controversial topic that can cause arguments for bed companions as well as staunch bedding enthusiasts.
Some people sleep beneath a top sheet, while others have said goodbye to 'hospital corners' and just use a duvet. Let's see how kiwis are sleeping these days, share your vote and your reasons below!

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Top sheet or duvet?
  • 78.8% Top sheet
    78.8% Complete
  • 20.6% Duvet
    20.6% Complete
  • 0.6% Neither - I'll share below!
    0.6% Complete
2205 votes
395 days ago

Safer Speed Plan

Christchurch City Council

Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.

We're asking for … View more
Lower speeds can saves lives and prevent serious injury. Reducing the speed vehicles travel makes a major difference in a crash. People make mistakes on our roads, and those mistakes shouldn’t cost our neighbours, whānau or pets their lives.

We're asking for feedback on a Draft Safer Speed Plan which sets out a three-year implementation plan and 10-year vision for safe speed areas in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

To read the plan and give feedback by 25 October visit our website.
Find out more

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395 days ago

Life-saving heart research ❤️

The Team from Heart Foundation NZ

Our research funding is all about saving lives in New Zealand ❤️ This year, we were thrilled to announce $3.7m of funding for heart research and specialist overseas training for New Zealand cardiologists. Huge thanks to our donors and supporters for their generosity and for making this … View moreOur research funding is all about saving lives in New Zealand ❤️ This year, we were thrilled to announce $3.7m of funding for heart research and specialist overseas training for New Zealand cardiologists. Huge thanks to our donors and supporters for their generosity and for making this investment in heart health possible.

Click the link to find out more about the transformative research projects.

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396 days ago

Telephone dictation voting in the 2023 General Election

The Team from Electoral Commission

If you are blind, partially blind, or have a physical disability that means you cannot mark your voting paper without help, you can use the telephone dictation voting service.

You can use the telephone dictation voting service both from within New Zealand and if you’re overseas.

You do … View more
If you are blind, partially blind, or have a physical disability that means you cannot mark your voting paper without help, you can use the telephone dictation voting service.

You can use the telephone dictation voting service both from within New Zealand and if you’re overseas.

You do need to register to use this service though, before noon (NZ time) on Saturday 14 October.

You can find more information on our website here: vote.nz...

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