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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The restoration of the historic Soldiers’ Block in Hanmer Springs is on track to be completed in time for Anzac Day 2025.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black says she is excited at the prospect of unveiling the restored building, given the building’s history.… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The restoration of the historic Soldiers’ Block in Hanmer Springs is on track to be completed in time for Anzac Day 2025.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black says she is excited at the prospect of unveiling the restored building, given the building’s history.
The Soldiers’ Block was opened in 1916 to rehabilitate soldiers returning from World War I, and was later used as a drug and alcohol treatment facility.
The site also has cultural significance for Ngāti Kurī, with the council working closely with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura.
The project is part of a $3.5 million redevelopment of the Queen Mary Historic Reserve and includes earthquake strengthening and restoring the building for public use.
‘‘There is a real sense of excitement in the community and not just in Hanmer,’’ Black said.
‘‘People have been coming up and asking about it at community events, so I think it is quite special from a district-wide perspective.’’
Local firm O’Brien Construction was granted the contract to create a multi use community space in the middle of the building.
All going to plan, the wharenui will be available to Ngāti Kurī to occupy by Anzac Day, and the two octagons will be ready to use, but not fitted out.
Community groups from Hanmer Springs and the wider region were starting to think about how they might use the space, Black said.
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said it had been a long journey, since the buildings were signed over to the council in 2010.
The $3.5 million project is being funded by a Lotteries grant, $1.5m from the Government’s Better Off funding, development contributions and a grant from the council’s Earthquake Prone Buildings Fund.
A 2022 report, prepared as part of a concept plan developed by Weta Workshop, of Wellington, says Hanmer Springs was known as Te Whaka takaka o te karehu o te ahi a Tamatea (the resting place of the embers of the fires of Tamatea).
The thermal reserve was recognised as a place of regeneration and healing, making it a sacred place for Ngāti Kurī.
Stage two of the project involves turning the two Soldiers’ Block octagons into museum spaces to recognise the site’s heritage.
It would require the community to raise a further $6m, the council’s chief strategy and community officer, Judith Batchelor, said.
‘‘The vision is to potentially create something similar to the New Zealand experience at Le Quesnoy in France.’’
Staff plan to bring a report to the council later this month to ask for funding, in the form of a loan to be paid off through fundraising, and approval to establish a community trust.
The council is also proposing to build a new sports pavilion on the site and has budgeted $400,000 in the long-term plan.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The health needs of rural communities must not be forgotten amid the latest healthcare sector changes, North Canterbury's mayors say.
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ recently announced the appointment of four regional deputy executive directors, including … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The health needs of rural communities must not be forgotten amid the latest healthcare sector changes, North Canterbury's mayors say.
Te Whatu Ora Health NZ recently announced the appointment of four regional deputy executive directors, including one based in Christchurch, in a move back towards regional decision making.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black and Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon have been calling for local accountability since district health boards were replaced by Health NZ two years ago.
Martin Keogh has been appointed deputy executive director for the South Island.
Black said while she welcomed some decision making closer to home, she questioned how much understanding there would be of rural community needs.
‘‘The South Island is a big area to cover with a lot of different issues and knowing what it is actually like to provide a service in Cheviot, for example, might be difficult,’’ Black said.
‘‘Attraction and retention of staff in a rural setting remains a challenge.
‘‘It is a fairly tiresome role in a rural district, because you are always on call, even when you are not.’’
Providing services to help older people in their homes is more challenging in a rural community, she said.
This is because home help services often become ‘‘fragmented and fragile’’ due to the distances involved, Black said.
‘‘We need to keep an eye on that and on providing care for end of life and respite care.’’
The use of Telehealth technology has been talked about in the media as it is increasingly used to cover for a lack medical professionals, particularly in rural areas.
The increased reliance on Telehealth might work for some people, but can be challenging for older people, Black said.
But rural communities had ‘‘magnificent’’ volunteers services such as St John and Meals on Wheels, she said.
Gordon said it had been difficult to get answers about health issues impacting on Waimakariri residents since district health boards were abolished.
Appointing a South Island-based director is ‘‘a great first step’’ towards local accountability, he said.
‘‘This is something I advocated for because I know that having a local voice close to the issues is vital for our communities.
‘‘The old DHB system was not ideal, but at least we knew who was accountable and who to call when issues arose.’’
Health NZ has been contacted for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s mayors are calling for funding certainty for a youth jobs programme as unemployment continues to rise.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle and Hurunui mayor Marie Black are asking the Government for a long-term funding commitment for the … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s mayors are calling for funding certainty for a youth jobs programme as unemployment continues to rise.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle and Hurunui mayor Marie Black are asking the Government for a long-term funding commitment for the Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme.
The national unemployment rate continues to climb, reaching 4.6% in the June quarter, with young people aged 16 to 24-years the hardest hit.
The Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme is funded by the Ministry of Social Development, with the Government providing $18 million from 2023 to 2025.
‘‘We have funding secured until June 30 next year, but not beyond that,’’ Mackle said.
‘‘I know it is hard times for the Government, but those questions need to be answered now or we risk losing our co-ordinators.’’
His message to the Government is simple - ‘‘don’t leave people hanging’’.
The Kaikōura Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme has placed 48 people in sustainable employment in the year to June 30, including 44 young people.
This included 16 young people being placed in apprenticeships.
‘‘We have shown that this works well. I can’t think of anything that gives you a bigger bang for your buck,’’ Mackle said.
Black said the progamme played a valuable role in giving young people ‘‘hope and purpose’’.
‘‘We are in difficult times and it is challenging for employers, but we are fortunate to have some brave employers who are willing to give young people a go.
‘‘So any financial support we can get to keep this programme strong and robust is vital.’’
Kaikōura Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs programme co-ordinator Aysia McMillan said the programme was funded over the last 12 months for a target of placing 38 youth (16 to 24-year-olds) in employment for at least 91 days.
‘‘We keep checking in with our youth after the 91 days, but the requirement is to support them through the first 91 days.
The programme is now into its fourth year in Kaikōura and over that time 297 job seekers and 87 employers have been registered with the scheme.
Local Government New Zealand vice-president Campbell Barry said the programme demonstrated ‘‘the power of localism’’.
Nationally 6400 young people have been placed in employment across 33 different communities.
‘‘Despite worsening employment conditions, the locally delivered programmes have beaten targets to get more young people into employment,” Mayors’ Taskforce for Jobs chairperson Max Baxter said.
‘‘There is a real opportunity for this programme to grow and further deliver on the Government’s goal to get more young people into employment.’’
While the programme is funded until June next year, it has received a 20% reduction compared to last year.
The Ministry of Social Development has been contacted for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you 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, 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.
For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in the picturesque Cooks Beach, Coromandel.
Valued at over $1.2 million, this home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area. It is waiting to be loved by its… View moreFor only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in the picturesque Cooks Beach, Coromandel.
Valued at over $1.2 million, this home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area. It is waiting to be loved by its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or simply sell it!
Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz
Purchase an occupation right to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman Village before 30 September 2024 and you won’t pay your fixed base weekly fee until 2026*.
That’s great financial certainty — you won't pay rates, water rates, building insurance, … View morePurchase an occupation right to an independent apartment or townhouse at a participating Ryman Village before 30 September 2024 and you won’t pay your fixed base weekly fee until 2026*.
That’s great financial certainty — you won't pay rates, water rates, building insurance, maintenance fees and more.
Click to read more about this limited time offer.
*Participating villages only, Ts & Cs and exclusions apply
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
An aged care advocate has fired back at claims there are enough respite care beds in North Canterbury's rest homes.
The NZ Aged Care Association says it is concerned Te Whatu Ora Health NZ is passing respite care on to aged care facilities, which … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
An aged care advocate has fired back at claims there are enough respite care beds in North Canterbury's rest homes.
The NZ Aged Care Association says it is concerned Te Whatu Ora Health NZ is passing respite care on to aged care facilities, which are not always equipped to deal with the demand.
Health NZ has confirmed it won't offer respite care at the Rangiora Health Hub after decommissioning four flexi-beds for the service.
A Health NZ spokesperson said respite care is offered by aged care facilities in North Canterbury, ‘‘where the appropriate level of care can be maintained’’.
The agency said it understood there were four aged care providers in Rangiora which offered respite care, while there are two providers in Kaiapoi.
But the New Zealand Aged Care Association said the claim there is adequate capacity within aged care facilities is ‘‘misleading’’.
‘‘While North Canterbury does have several aged care facilities, only one of these says it has a single bed dedicated to respite care.
‘‘Many of these providers are already operating at or near full capacity, and the availability of respite care is always conditional on beds being vacant between long-term residents.’’
Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey said the community needed reassurance services were available in North Canterbury.
He said he was disappointed to learn there was just one bed dedicated to respite care, despite assurances from Health NZ.
‘‘I will be approaching Health NZ to find out why this is the case and ask them to explain the situation.’’
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he was concerned to hear the number of respite beds available in Waimakariri is decreasing.
‘‘I will be looking into this. It seems families are having to navigate this issue at what is likely the worst time of their lives.
‘‘I would like to see something done to streamline or simply this process to ensure loved ones are able to remain close to family and in their communities at this final stage of life.’’
Information provided by the New Zealand Aged Care Association, and available on the Ministry of Health website, shows there are eight aged care facilities in Waimakariri which provide respite care, and two in the Hurunui district.
Three rural hospitals also provide respite care.
There are different types of respite care, including ACC, rest-home, hospital, palliative, dementia and end of life care, with aged care facilities licensed for different types of care.
Health NZ regional manager ageing well Mardi Fitzgibbon said respite care is funded by Health NZ and is allocated by the Needs Assessment Service (NASC) following a review of the person’s needs.
"It is generally provided up to 28 days per year, to give the person’s main carer a break.
"The level of respite is need dependent and may be for rest home, hospital or dementia levels of care."
It can also be funded through other agencies such as ACC, or families can make private arrangements.
Bainswood on Victoria home manager Lucy Farley said the process of applying for respite care can be complex.
‘‘It can be a minefield for people, particularly when they are going through this big life change.’’
Palliative care can be available for younger people and end of life respite care is also available, she said.
Charles Upham Retirement Village manager David Cartwright said the village has 120 care beds for both short and long term care, but availability cannot be guaranteed.
‘‘Unlike a hotel, we may have a resident who comes in for 14 days, but they may be up and fit after seven days, or they may need 21 days, so it can be very difficult to try to allocate beds.’’
Holmwood Rangiora Lifecare care home manager Elsie Evans said a needs assessment is completed before a resident is admitted.
But the ability to offer respite care is subject to beds and staff being available.
■ Respite care is also available at Bainlea House and Ballarat Care Home (Rangiora), Annaliese Haven Rest Home (Kaiapoi), Ultimate Care Karaden (Oxford), Oxford Hospital, Bloomfields Court Retirement Village (Woodend), Adriel Resthome (Amberley), Amberley Resthome and Retirement Village, Waikari Hospital and Te Hā o Te Ora Kaikōura Health.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Is your garden producing more fruit and veg than you know what to do with? Or are you simply wanting to add more to your cooking? NZ Gardener has teamed up with Upstart Press this August with a great subscription offer to help you out!
Subscribe to NZ Gardener for 1 or 2 years and you’ll … View moreIs your garden producing more fruit and veg than you know what to do with? Or are you simply wanting to add more to your cooking? NZ Gardener has teamed up with Upstart Press this August with a great subscription offer to help you out!
Subscribe to NZ Gardener for 1 or 2 years and you’ll receive the Abundance plant-based recipe book by Anna Valentine. Abundance offers over 100 recipes that are filling, healthy and packed with flavour, plus enjoy your monthly dose of NZ Gardener magazine - the perfect combo. T&Cs apply.
The team at NZ Gardener
August 7 is Aged Care Employee Day. Today, we take the opportunity to honour our compassionate and dedicated carers. Introducing Helen Danielsen, who has worked in the Special Care Unit at Ernest Rutherford Village for 15 years.
When Senior Caregiver Helen Danielsen first joined the Ernest … View moreAugust 7 is Aged Care Employee Day. Today, we take the opportunity to honour our compassionate and dedicated carers. Introducing Helen Danielsen, who has worked in the Special Care Unit at Ernest Rutherford Village for 15 years.
When Senior Caregiver Helen Danielsen first joined the Ernest Rutherford Special Care team, it was working the night shift as it was the perfect job to manage while she raised her children as a single mum.
Click read more for the full story.
Is your dad superb with sandpaper, pristine with a palette knife and perfect with a paintbrush? Or maybe he's risky with a roller, mad with masking tape and comedic when cutting in? Either way we'd like to hear about your DIY dad and why he deserves to win this Father's Day.
Tell… View moreIs your dad superb with sandpaper, pristine with a palette knife and perfect with a paintbrush? Or maybe he's risky with a roller, mad with masking tape and comedic when cutting in? Either way we'd like to hear about your DIY dad and why he deserves to win this Father's Day.
Tell us about your DIY dad for a chance to win him $1000 worth of Resene paint products!
Plus all entries will be in with a chance to win their DIY Dad one of our colourful spot prizes.
Retirement in New Zealand is evolving as people live longer, healthier lives, and the number of Kiwis who choose to continue working later in life is rising.
Retirement is your time to do what you love. Maybe for you this doesn't mean stopping work altogether; instead, it can mean shifting… View moreRetirement in New Zealand is evolving as people live longer, healthier lives, and the number of Kiwis who choose to continue working later in life is rising.
Retirement is your time to do what you love. Maybe for you this doesn't mean stopping work altogether; instead, it can mean shifting gears to something more fulfilling or pursuing passions that you now have time for. This might mean volunteering, part-time work, or even starting your own business.
Here’s some helpful advice from Ryman residents in the workforce.
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.
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