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583 days ago

Poll: Do you support the opening of a new airport in Tarras, Central Otago?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Pressure is mounting on the city council to come out against Christchurch Airport’s “senseless” plans to build a new airport in Central Otago.

Eleven academics from across New Zealand have formed a group to oppose the airport’s proposal to build a “world-class sustainable airport” in Tarras – about 90km from Queenstown.

The council owns a 75% stake in the airport, with the other 25% owned by the Government.

Three of those academics spoke at Wednesday’s Christchurch City Council meeting and urged the council not to continue supporting the project. The Tarras development was a vanity project that would cripple Christchurch’s economy, they said.

Christchurch Airport project director Michael Singleton said New Zealand was geographically isolated and high-quality air connectivity would always be an important driver of social and economic wellbeing.

“Doing nothing in the face of a well-documented and fast-approaching infrastructure deficit and changing climate jeopardises the long-term ability of communities to maintain or improve their standard of living," he said.

Read the full story here and tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

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Do you support the opening of a new airport in Tarras, Central Otago?
  • 18.9% Yes
    18.9% Complete
  • 77.2% No
    77.2% Complete
  • 3.9% Not sure/something else (share your thoughts in the comments)
    3.9% Complete
640 votes
More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Here's Friday's Fizzler!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I can be written, I can be spoken, I can be exposed, I can be broken. 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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5 days ago

Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

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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Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
  • 48.3% Yes
    48.3% Complete
  • 49.8% No
    49.8% Complete
  • 2% Other - I'll share below
    2% Complete
3128 votes
3 days ago

Hero

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

“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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