Ashley braided river strategy engagement soon
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Environment Canterbury plans to consult on its Ashley River strategy later this year.
North Canterbury zone manager Andrew Arps says the Rakahuri/Ashley River Braided River Strategy is an important piece of work.
It will be one of the first out of the blocks, along with a Rangitata River strategy, he said.
"We are working through reach by reach to see how it all works together as an over-arching plan.
"ECan is writing the strategy, but it is a multi agency, community approach, which is why the consultation process is important."
The regional council consulted on its masterplan for the Rangiora Reach, at Cones Road, Rangiora, last year, which will be incorporated into the overall strategy.
Some initiatives were already under way, including woody weeds clearance work at the Ashley River Gorge and Okuku River.
The consultation process would identify more work which was needed.
The recent experience of Cyclone Gabrielle in the North Island had highlighted the dangers of forestry "slash", Arps said.
"The forestry down here and the terrain is at a different scale, but there are things we need to look at.
"It is a different environment, but there are also risks which is why the clearance of the willows is important work.
"As has been highlighted, we are likely to see more of these events in the future so we need to be as best prepared as we can be."
But the biggest barrier was funding and the council would need more central government support to tackle the problem to prevent a repeat of what was seen in the North Island.
Braided river revival regional lead Greg Stanley said the strategy would provide an action plan for organisations to work together to restore ecological and riparian corridors, and to re-connect people with the river.
"Community input will be essential to shaping a strategy that helps meet the vision for the people who live, work and play along the river."
The strategy was being co-drafted with Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd to ensure mana whenua input, Stanley said.
An initial draft strategy had been prepared to engage with local community groups which had indicated suggestions for improvement.
For more information, go to www.ecan.govt.nz...
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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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