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Heavy rain, snow and severe gales are set to continue into today for parts of the South Island. MetService has issued a range of warnings and watches due to the snowy, windy and wet weather.
According to MetService, a "complex low" over the Tasman Sea is generating persistent, cold … View moreHeavy rain, snow and severe gales are set to continue into today for parts of the South Island. MetService has issued a range of warnings and watches due to the snowy, windy and wet weather.
According to MetService, a "complex low" over the Tasman Sea is generating persistent, cold easterlies over the South Island, bringing heavy rain, and heavy snow above 400 metres. Southeasterly gales are also to be expected in the west, MetService warned.
What you need to know:
- Orange heavy snow warnings in place until 2pm on Wednesday for the North Canterbury high country and the foothills north of the Rangitata River.
- An orange strong wind warning is in place until 1pm in Westland and Grey Districts. Severe gale easterlies could gust 120 to 130 km/h in isolated exposed places.
- Heavy rain watch for Canterbury Plains from Christchurch northwards and eastern Marlborough until 3pm.
- A treacherous Canterbury State Highway where dozens of people have been injured in icy crashes was still closed on Wednesday due to the snow and ice, as was SH73, SH79 and SH80.
- State Highway 73 Springfield to Castle Hill (Porters Pass) was also closed due to snow and ice, as was State Highway 79 Fairlie, between State Highway 8 and Gudex Rd.
- State Highway 80 Pukaki to Mt Cook (Aoraki Mt Cook Highway) was also closed due to snow and ice.
MetService has urged people to prepare for snow, cold temperatures, and possible power outages.
"If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency items."
Check NZTA road closures here before you travel, and weather warnings can be found here on the MetService website.
🚍 Why is boosting biodiversity spending in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula so important? And should pets be allowed to travel on buses?
Regional Councillor Joe Davies, who represents the North East Ōtautahi constituency, gives us his view.
Police can today advise that a year on from her disappearance, remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman, Yanfei Bao.
While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the treeline.
The remains cannot immediately… View morePolice can today advise that a year on from her disappearance, remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman, Yanfei Bao.
While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the treeline.
The remains cannot immediately be formally identified, and work is now underway to excavate and forensically examine them.
This news has been shared with Yanfei’s immediate family, and while long hoped for, still comes as a shock.
The area had previously been searched, and new information led us back here to search specific locations of interest.
For operational reasons, we are unable to share the information that led us to search this location.
A scene examination is now underway and Police will be visible in the area for some time.
Police investigation staff are working towards an October trial date for a now 53-year-old man charged with murder in relation to Yanfei’s death.
Do you feel less steady on your feet than you used to be, or perhaps have already experienced a fall or seizure? If so, a medical alarm can help you regain your independence and confidence.
If you have a medical emergency or fall, just press the button on your personal medical alarm and speak to… View moreDo you feel less steady on your feet than you used to be, or perhaps have already experienced a fall or seizure? If so, a medical alarm can help you regain your independence and confidence.
If you have a medical emergency or fall, just press the button on your personal medical alarm and speak to an operator through the built-in speaker. If you can’t speak, an ambulance will be dispatched immediately.
There are a number of different medical alarm options available in New Zealand, so you will be able to find one that suits your needs.
Click read more for the full article.
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, keeping up to date with the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free and … View moreIt might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, keeping up to date with the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free and recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, go to BookMyVaccine.nz or talk to your healthcare provider.
9th - 11th of August more than 80 LOCAL artists will be exhibiting at the 2024 Arts Canterbury Art Show at The Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo Street,Christchurch.
OPENING NIGHT:7pm Friday 9th of August with tickets available from Eventbrite.
At the opening receive a complimentary drink and … View more9th - 11th of August more than 80 LOCAL artists will be exhibiting at the 2024 Arts Canterbury Art Show at The Cashmere Club, 50 Colombo Street,Christchurch.
OPENING NIGHT:7pm Friday 9th of August with tickets available from Eventbrite.
At the opening receive a complimentary drink and nibbles, enjoy the first opportunity to purchase the art and meet the artists.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY: 10am-4pm - gold coin donation on the door.
“Low sensory hour” Sunday 11th of August 9 - 10am with reduced noise, lighting and distractions during this time.
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in beautiful Mangawhai, worth almost $1.4 million dollars.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new … View moreFor only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in beautiful Mangawhai, worth almost $1.4 million dollars.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it!
Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Tell us what groups you'd like to see in your area...(walking groups, coffee meet-ups, swing dancing, a family tree group - anything at all!)
Or if you are already in a great group, share it here for others to get involved.
Winter is well and truly here, and we’re helping you keep your cup full and your mind entertained. Simply purchase or gift a subscription via mags4gifts.co.nz before 31 July and you’ll automatically be placed in the draw to win 1 of 3 Delonghi Espresso Coffee Makers worth $229* each!
… View moreWinter is well and truly here, and we’re helping you keep your cup full and your mind entertained. Simply purchase or gift a subscription via mags4gifts.co.nz before 31 July and you’ll automatically be placed in the draw to win 1 of 3 Delonghi Espresso Coffee Makers worth $229* each!
With over 50 titles to choose from, there’s something for everyone. *T&Cs apply
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Ageing bridges across North Canterbury will cost millions to replace, but councils can't afford to do the work alone.
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said his district alone has 286 bridges and culverts, with around one-third… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Ageing bridges across North Canterbury will cost millions to replace, but councils can't afford to do the work alone.
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said his district alone has 286 bridges and culverts, with around one-third needing to replaced over the next 30 years.
‘‘We probably need about about $3 million a year just for bridges,’’ he said.
‘‘At the moment we get $200,000 a year for bridge maintenance.’’
The bridges in need of upgrades include Conway River bridge on Inland Road, estimated to cost around $20 million, to smaller bridges and culverts expected to cost less than $1 million.
The Conway River bridge replacement has been listed in the Canterbury Regional Land Transport Plan with a fourth equal priority ranking with several projects, including the Pages Road bridge in Christchurch.
But no date has been set.
The Hurunui District Council’s entire 2024/25 roading programme was $14 million, which included a $5 million Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency subsidy.
The ratepayer was footing the remaining $9 million.
‘‘As a country we need to have a mature conversation about infrastructure funding and some of those conversations will be a bit more confronting,’’ Dobbie said.
He said most of the bridges and culverts around New Zealand were built in the 1950s to 1970s, meaning they were starting to come to the end of the life.
But there has been significant underfunding in infrastructure since then, with councils left to pick up the slack, he said.
The Conway River bridge was on an important route, with oversized vehicles having to use Inland Road if they were unable to use the State Highway 1 tunnels south of Kaikōura.
‘‘It is a local bridge we fund for the benefit of the country,’’ Dobbie said.
He said he would like the ability to loan fund bridge replacement work, provided Waka Kotahi contributed its 52% share.
Waka Kotahi director regional relationships James Caygill said the agency was aware of the problem.
‘‘It is a huge challenge. Every council has bridges they want to work on.’’
He said bridge replacement was funded separately from maintenance, but it was a matter of establishing how urgent the work was.
A Waka Kotahi spokesperson said the agency managed 4751 bridges and large culverts on the country’s state highways (based on 2023 numbers).
The agency has an ‘‘end-of-life’’ bridge replacement programme, with nine state highways bridges being replaced in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme, including two in Canterbury.
‘‘It is extremely difficult to predict the exact ‘end-of-life’ dates for a bridge for a variety of factors, and hence predictions in the 10, 20 and 30 year ranges often come with significant margins of error,’’ the spokesperson said.
Waka Kotahi has a bridge inspection process to ensure state highway bridges and culverts were inspected every two years.
‘‘In some cases this may mean placing speed or weight restrictions on some bridges, at which point operators of over-weight vehicles may have to use alternative routes better suited to them.’’
Speed and weight restrictions were only employed as a last resort, the spokesperson said.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
We're looking for delicious orange recipes to feature in NZ Gardener's October issue. Send your family's favourite ways to enjoy this fruit to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by August 20, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the October issue of NZ Gardener.
Winter isn’t usually associated with pottering about in the garden. However, it’s possible to grow, harvest, and share a bustling winter crop.
As we have celebrated Matariki and the beginning of the Māori New Year, for winter gardeners it’s the right time to cultivate crops that thrive in… View moreWinter isn’t usually associated with pottering about in the garden. However, it’s possible to grow, harvest, and share a bustling winter crop.
As we have celebrated Matariki and the beginning of the Māori New Year, for winter gardeners it’s the right time to cultivate crops that thrive in cooler temperatures and to prepare the soil for future planting.
Click read more for the full story.
91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.
Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.
Hear about Dora’s experience … View more91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.
Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.
Hear about Dora’s experience living in a Ryman community.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors hope to complete at least some of their ambitious roading programme after belatedly adopting the Hurunui Long-Term Plan (LTP) on Monday (July 15).
The Hurunui District Council had deferred adopting the 10-year budget for the region by the … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Councillors hope to complete at least some of their ambitious roading programme after belatedly adopting the Hurunui Long-Term Plan (LTP) on Monday (July 15).
The Hurunui District Council had deferred adopting the 10-year budget for the region by the June 30 deadline, after it failed to get the level of funding it sought from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
But councillors accepted a recommendation from council chief executive Hamish Dobbie to stick with an average rates rise of 10.98%, so the council could at least complete some of its roading programme.
While Waka Kotahi’s overall funding had increased, Hurunui’s allocation was not enough to fund the upgrades needed to ensure the resilience of the district’s roading network, Dobbie said at a council meeting on June 25.
But Waka Kotahi's regional relationships director, James Caygill, said the Hurunui District Council’s funding request for the next three years was too costly.
He said it was almost double the council’s funding allocation for the 2021-24 period.
Councillors adopted the LTP on Monday with 10 votes in favour, while councillor Garry Jackson abstained.
Jackson said he could not support increasing staffing costs above the level of inflation, while he found the proposals for the development of the Queen Mary Heritage Reserve in Hanmer Springs did not meet the ‘‘standard of rigor’’ in financial management expected.
Mayor Marie Black said she was pleased with the LTP process.
‘‘This is a piece of work we have been involved in for a very long time, as elected members, in partnership with our staff and with our community.
‘‘We tried something a little bit different by going out as elected members and engaging directly with our community and on reflection I think it was a good decision.’’
The council had consulted on a proposed average rates rise of 12.37%, before instructing staff to go through the budgets with a fine tooth comb.
The staffing allocation was pruned back from 155.41 to 150.05 full-time equivalents and the councillors’ mileage allowance also had a trim.
But the pain is expected to continue, with a 14.49% rates hike predicted for the 2025-26 financial year.
The council consulted on investment in roading, the development of the Queen Mary Historic Reserve and rating for stormwater activities.
Provision has also been made to replenish the coastal bund at Amberley Beach.
A bund is a type of embankment which protects against the sea.
Amberley Beach ratepayers will be levied $303.56 a year, an increase from $258.83 a year, which was requested by the residents’ group.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Don’t miss your chance to WIN 1 of 50 supermarket gift cards worth $100 each!
Simply grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, solve the puzzle, find the prize word, and enter it online.
The more puzzles you complete the higher your chance to WIN! The competition ends on 28 July. To find … View moreDon’t miss your chance to WIN 1 of 50 supermarket gift cards worth $100 each!
Simply grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, solve the puzzle, find the prize word, and enter it online.
The more puzzles you complete the higher your chance to WIN! The competition ends on 28 July. To find out more about participating newspapers, click here.
The Team at Stuff and Sunday Star-Times
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