Keeping Christchurch beautiful
Keep Christchurch Beautiful is a local branch of Keep New Zealand Beautiful, and has been working in and around Christchurch since the 1980s. Initially and mostly in the litter abatement area, but also in general beautification of our physical environment. This can include reporting and removing graffiti; collaborating with schools and groups to paint murals on Chorus street side utility cabinets (to prevent graffiti); running our very successful schools environment programme (in its 27th year in 2020) which reaches around 40 schools a year; working with other environmental groups, individuals and community groups to carry out clean up and other environment enhancement events around the city; supporting and recognising volunteers who work regularly picking up rubbish, planting, caring for local parks, reserves and gardens, develop and maintain new native plantings in reserves; and also recognising those businesses that themselves support volunteers or have business practices that are environmentally sustainable.
KCB promotes and supports projects initiated by Keep New Zealand Beautiful, our parent organisation (while KCB is a branch, it is also independent and a stand-alone charity and incorporated society). KCB is also developing new projects, including scaling the schools programme to suits preschools; maintaining a ‘library’ of gear to lend and sometimes gift, to groups doing clean ups; and providing event coordination and management for business groups wanting to ‘give back’ to their communities with clean up events.
KCB is proud of its connections with other groups around the city; together we are more than the sum of our parts.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.5% Yes
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14.1% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.