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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A community trust to take over the closed aged-care facilities at Reefton is off the cards for now.
But the Reefton Health Action Group remains focused on pushing for the reopening of the aged-care wing of the town's former hospital.
The … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A community trust to take over the closed aged-care facilities at Reefton is off the cards for now.
But the Reefton Health Action Group remains focused on pushing for the reopening of the aged-care wing of the town's former hospital.
The idea was floated initially at a meeting called by the Reefton Health Action Group (RAG) in December over the closure of Ziman House aged-care wing of the former Reefton Hospital - renamed Reefton Health in March 2022.
The former West Coast DHB closed the aged-care wing in March 2022 explaining it was a Covid management measure - although it later emerged Ziman had also been operating without the requisite number of registered nurses on site.
Ziman is yet to reopen with some staff in Reefton remaining on full pay.
The facility has been renovated and maintained ahead of the promised reopening.
Health NZ announced last month it intended to operate a day-based activity programme at the site from January for people being cared for at home, in lieu of Ziman not being able to reopen yet.
However, Health NZ confirmed this week the day programme has not yet started.
RAG spokesperson Helen Bollinger said a trust model was not the group's first preference for the reopening of Ziman.
"Most of the people are not keen. We would like the hospital people (Health NZ) to do their job and administer what was before," Bollinger said.
The trust idea had initially been explored to gain some traction with Health NZ, "thinking it was one way of speeding things up," she said.
"We wouldn't dismiss it altogether, but it's a huge undertaking."
The idea of a trust only applied to Ziman, not the wider primary care services such as the GP provided from the same site by Health NZ.
Bollinger said the RAG December 8 meeting heard from representatives of Westport's O'Conor Home Trust on the complexities of running aged care services under a trust model.
This included the challenge in recruiting registered nurses, which Te Whatu Ora repeated in December when explaining why Ziman House remained closed.
Bollinger said from what they heard standing up a similar trust in Reefton would be a huge undertaking.
"It's fraught."
Meanwhile, a RAG meeting this week was to discuss the next move in pushing for Ziman House to reopen, she said.
She said the agenda may include the existing Inangahua Wheelchair Van in the town to see how it might be supported by RAG under a new model.
"It could be possibly used to pick up people to bring people into this so-called activity programme."
However, the group was holding onto Ziman being reopened fully.
"We don't want an activity thing anyway; we want the hospital."
In December, Health NZ West Coast associate director of operations Phil Wheble said there were no plans to cede its Reefton medical centre to a private provider or trust.
However, a Health NZ spokesperson said this week they were open to handing over Ziman to the community.
"We are happy to engage with RHAG or any other interested party regarding the establishment of a trust to run the aged care facility if this is what is being proposed," Health NZ said.
Regarding the promised day activity programme at Ziman, Wheble said in a statement they were still working on it.
"We are working with our staff and union partners and once the workforce is confirmed we will be able to provide a new start date for the day activity programme," he said on January 24.
By local democracy reporter Brendan McMahon:
A powerful storm has accelerated the radical shift of the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef, moving 95% of the river's main channel to the Tatare Stream north of the tourist hotspot.
And with further bad weather forecast - up to 200mm of rain… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendan McMahon:
A powerful storm has accelerated the radical shift of the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef, moving 95% of the river's main channel to the Tatare Stream north of the tourist hotspot.
And with further bad weather forecast - up to 200mm of rain is expected this weekend - West Coast Civil Defence has swung into action over the river change and the potential risk.
West Coast Regional Council staff and river engineers visited the area on Wednesday to assess the river following last weekend's state of emergency amid heavy rain warnings.
The river radically changing course is serious, but with "no immediate risk" to life, council chief executive Darryl Lew said.
"I'm awaiting [Civil Defence] advice but clearly we will go and talk to the land owners down that Tatare Stream," Lew said on Thursday.
The amount of rain forecast this weekend was a concern for the river, so Civil Defence is gearing up, he said.
The rapid build up of the Waiho River-bed and the risk of its increasingly changing course posing a high risk to residents and visitors to the tourist hotspot of Franz Josef on the north bank has been a long standing worry for West Coast authorities.
In mid-2023, the emerging issue of the river bed shifting north and dropping into the Tatare Stream bed forced the council to abandon plans to build a series of flood bunds on that side of the Waiho River.
The bunds were planned as a wider protection scheme on the north bank to secure the future of Franz Josef for the next 15 years.
The heavily avulsing river bed also spurred council to revise and relaunch a 10-year strategy to manage the river, which was released to the community in October.
It primarily advocates removing the stop banks on the south side of the Waiho, which would allow the riverbed to fan out naturally over predominantly rural land to overcome the threat to Franz Josef.
Lew said the weather event last weekend had radically accelerated the Waiho avulsion, with 95% of the main channel of the Waiho now flowing via the Tatare Stream to the northwest.
At the same time, water was seeping in behind the Havill Wall on the Waiho north bank, near the Westland District Council wastewater treatment plant and ponds, about 1.5km from the main town.
Havill Wall was controversially built by the district council following the April 2016 flood which swamped the old Scenic Hotel site.
It has recently been upgraded by the regional council as part of the wider north bank flood protection scheme.
Lew said the on-the-ground inspection on January 24 was their first opportunity to view the area since the river receded from the heavy rain last weekend.
Heavy scouring and "bank attack" was evident on the banks of the usual Waiho River channel near Franz Josef and Waiho Flat, "but that is a secondary concern".
Lew said council engineers and members of the Waiho Technical Advisory Group - used by council last year - had been pressed into action.
The group would consider options in the coming days, including if moving the Waiho River back to its normal course was possible.
In the meantime, council expected to make a further statement on the situation tomorrow [Friday] afternoon, Lew said.
"This potential for the Waiho to avulse and flow into the Tatare Stream was signalled as a strong possibility in the Waiho River Strategy.
"The key issue for us is whether we can do some channel works to manipulate the Waiho River flow back into it's main channel, or not."
Lew said the avulsion was below the district council sewage ponds.
"At the moment there is no direct threat to the ponds. However, at the moment there is considerable signs of seepage behind the Havill bank which protects the ponds."
Asked if that seepage was expected, Lew said council was seeking further geotechnical advice.
"There is no water entering the (sewage) ponds."
Lew said there was no immediate threat to State Highway 6, north of Franz Josef, as a result of the river shifting to the Tatare.
However, if the trend of the main channel of the Waiho into the Tatare was allowed to continue, "the implications are significant".
Craving a recipe that’s sure to impress? Indulge your sweet tooth with our Gooey Caramel Muffins - the latest addition to Ryman’s food menu.
Quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious! Grab your apron and prepare for caramel perfection with our step-by-step recipe.
Click read more for the full … View moreCraving a recipe that’s sure to impress? Indulge your sweet tooth with our Gooey Caramel Muffins - the latest addition to Ryman’s food menu.
Quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious! Grab your apron and prepare for caramel perfection with our step-by-step recipe.
Click read more for the full recipe and video.
Ready for a Kiwi summer road trip?
Explore our essential road trip gear for a memorable journey! Don't miss out on the must-haves to make your trip unforgettable :)
As New Zealand’s most popular retirement villages and Reader’s Digest most trusted brand, you probably didn’t need another reason to choose the Ryman lifestyle. So we’re giving you 15,000! For a limited time, if you sign up for one of our new home offers, you’ll get a $15,000 credit on … View moreAs New Zealand’s most popular retirement villages and Reader’s Digest most trusted brand, you probably didn’t need another reason to choose the Ryman lifestyle. So we’re giving you 15,000! For a limited time, if you sign up for one of our new home offers, you’ll get a $15,000 credit on settlement*. There’s truly never been a better time to choose Ryman.
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Hey animal lovers! Been thinking of adopting? Then we have some great news for you...
From Sat 27 Jan – Sun 4 Feb, SPCA offer half-price adoptions for all animals, all around the country!
SPCA Centres around New Zealand are currently full to the brim, so let’s get these deserving animals … View moreHey animal lovers! Been thinking of adopting? Then we have some great news for you...
From Sat 27 Jan – Sun 4 Feb, SPCA offer half-price adoptions for all animals, all around the country!
SPCA Centres around New Zealand are currently full to the brim, so let’s get these deserving animals into loving homes this summer.
Life is just better with animals – so why wouldn’t you? Head over to www.spca.nz... to find your new best friend.
Hey animal lovers! Been thinking of adopting? Then we have some great news for you...
From Sat 27 Jan – Sun 4 Feb, SPCA offer half-price adoptions for all animals, all around the country!
SPCA Centres around New Zealand are currently full to the brim, so let’s get these deserving animals … View moreHey animal lovers! Been thinking of adopting? Then we have some great news for you...
From Sat 27 Jan – Sun 4 Feb, SPCA offer half-price adoptions for all animals, all around the country!
SPCA Centres around New Zealand are currently full to the brim, so let’s get these deserving animals into loving homes this summer.
Life is just better with animals – so why wouldn’t you? Head over to www.spca.nz... to find your new best friend.
Hey animal lovers! Been thinking of adopting? Then we have some great news for you...
From Sat 27 Jan – Sun 4 Feb, SPCA offer half-price adoptions for all animals, all around the country!
SPCA Centres around New Zealand are currently full to the brim, so let’s get these deserving animals … View moreHey animal lovers! Been thinking of adopting? Then we have some great news for you...
From Sat 27 Jan – Sun 4 Feb, SPCA offer half-price adoptions for all animals, all around the country!
SPCA Centres around New Zealand are currently full to the brim, so let’s get these deserving animals into loving homes this summer.
Life is just better with animals – so why wouldn’t you? Head over to www.spca.nz... to find your new best friend.
New Year, New Connection! How's your broadband holding up?
Have you encountered any issues with your current broadband service in the past year? Share your thoughts and let's help each other out!
Do you know that even when you switch off your devices, like the TV or coffee machine, they might still be sucking up power?
But fear not! At Power Compare, we've got the tools to help you ward off these energy thieves and SAVE money. Discover how to combat vampire power and keep your … View moreDo you know that even when you switch off your devices, like the TV or coffee machine, they might still be sucking up power?
But fear not! At Power Compare, we've got the tools to help you ward off these energy thieves and SAVE money. Discover how to combat vampire power and keep your energy bills in check.
Dear neighbours, our readers love learning things from other readers, so we're looking for recipes for pumpkin to feature in the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by January 26, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the March issue of NZ Gardener.
Embark on a fantastic 2024 journey! WIN your share of $240 (We have 4 X $60 gift cards to giveaway).
Simply tell us which bill you want to SAVE on this year - is it your power bill, or maybe your broadband, mobile phone, or mortgage? CLICK below to participate.
NZ Compare 's 2024 goal … View moreEmbark on a fantastic 2024 journey! WIN your share of $240 (We have 4 X $60 gift cards to giveaway).
Simply tell us which bill you want to SAVE on this year - is it your power bill, or maybe your broadband, mobile phone, or mortgage? CLICK below to participate.
NZ Compare 's 2024 goal is helping more Kiwis COMPARE and SAVE!
Not all Ryman residents can claim viral internet sensation status – but Patrick Hogan Retirement Village’s Doug Lineham sure can!
It was during the live televised name reveal for Ryman Healthcare’s new Cambridge village on TVNZ’s Breakfast that presenter Matty McClean happened upon Doug.… View moreNot all Ryman residents can claim viral internet sensation status – but Patrick Hogan Retirement Village’s Doug Lineham sure can!
It was during the live televised name reveal for Ryman Healthcare’s new Cambridge village on TVNZ’s Breakfast that presenter Matty McClean happened upon Doug.
The resulting hilarious sequence of dry, but complimentary-to-Ryman, one-liners left the audience calling for Doug to have his own show. One fan even touted him as the next PM!
What viewers didn’t know, however, was that behind the droll exterior, Doug was dealing with the loss of his beloved wife Jan.
Click to read Doug's story.
A huge thank you to all those who entered our Santa Paws competition - what a joy to see so many festive pets!
And now the competition results you've all been waiting for... We now have our ten winners who will receive a $100 Prezzy® Card:- you can click on their names to see their … View moreA huge thank you to all those who entered our Santa Paws competition - what a joy to see so many festive pets!
And now the competition results you've all been waiting for... We now have our ten winners who will receive a $100 Prezzy® Card:- you can click on their names to see their entries.
Tracey Rose
Julie Chamberlain
Selina Chan
Alexi White
Robert Brumm
Maria Wood
Kerena Davidson
Julie Gregory
Mark Williams
Glen Adams
Dear neighbours, have you got New Zealand’s most amazing shed? If the answer is yes, we want to know! Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for the country’s best shed. Send in your photos and stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting… View moreDear neighbours, have you got New Zealand’s most amazing shed? If the answer is yes, we want to know! Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for the country’s best shed. Send in your photos and stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds. The Resene Shed of the Year 2024 winners will be announced in the April 2024 issue of NZ Gardener, and the winner receives more than $2500 worth of prizes.
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