Saint James Range, Hanmer Springs

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

4 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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.

Image
1 day ago

Retire in comfort and security

Greenview Park Village

Premium care just meters away form our village. Join our caring community, where passion thrives. Trust Terrace Kennedy House for exceptional care and meaningful connections. Find out more

Image
3 days ago

Spring gardening tips

Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village

Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.

Click read more for more … View more
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.

Click read more for more information.

Image
21 hours ago

Need Event Medical Cover?

Medical Response Industries

MRI provides modern medical solutions for a wide range of events and industries. From local sporting or community events - to large concerts and major festivals - we can provide tailored and professional medical cover that suits your needs.

Our experienced team of clinicians and operations … View more
MRI provides modern medical solutions for a wide range of events and industries. From local sporting or community events - to large concerts and major festivals - we can provide tailored and professional medical cover that suits your needs.

Our experienced team of clinicians and operations managers can provide a complete risk assessment of your event and advise you on the most suitable medical expertise to have on site.

Get in touch with the team today at info@mri.nz
Find out more

Image
1 day ago

Avondale’s Hidden Sanctuary

Rosehill Gardens

The Rosehill Gardens villas, apartments and community centre are nestled in a landscaped environment creating a hidden gem and a quiet sanctuary where Avondale’s shopping strip is within an easy walk and LynnMall is a short drive.

Independent retirement living at Rosehill Gardens enables … View more
The Rosehill Gardens villas, apartments and community centre are nestled in a landscaped environment creating a hidden gem and a quiet sanctuary where Avondale’s shopping strip is within an easy walk and LynnMall is a short drive.

Independent retirement living at Rosehill Gardens enables you to be physically and socially active, live independently for longer, enjoy the beauty of the garden surroundings and tranquillity of the quiet environment.

As a bonus, Rosehill Gardens are offering free move-in gifts for you to choose when you purchase a villa, apartment or studio (terms and conditions apply).
Find out more

Image
4 days ago

Roading funding shortfall leads to Hurunui annual plan rethink

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Some rates relief could be in store for Hurunui ratepayers next year as the council reconsiders its roading priorities.

The Hurunui District Council forecast an average 14.49% rates hike for the 2025-26 financial year in the 2024-34 long-term plan.

View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Some rates relief could be in store for Hurunui ratepayers next year as the council reconsiders its roading priorities.

The Hurunui District Council forecast an average 14.49% rates hike for the 2025-26 financial year in the 2024-34 long-term plan.

But after receiving a significantly reduced subsidy from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said staff are having another look at the roading programme.

‘‘In our long-term plan consultation, our residents signalled they wanted us to invest in our roads, so now it is about figuring out what is a wise investment with the funding we have.’’

He said the council will need to reconsider what it can afford to fund, based on the lower-than-expected subsidy.

The Hurunui council receives a 52% subsidy from NZTA on approved projects, with ratepayers paying the balance.

The council has met with NZTA since raising concerns about the funding it received in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.

It had sought a 184% increase, but NZTA director regional relationships James Caygill said this was ‘‘unaffordable’’.

Dobbie said ratepayers were already paying two-thirds of the district’s roading budget as a number of projects were not funded by NZTA.

Options for a revised roading programme will be presented to the council to consider ahead of next year’s annual plan.

Dobbie did not expect rates to rise any more than the 14.49% signalled and will likely be less.

Funding has been reduced for low cost, low risk projects, which cost less than $2 million, so these will need to be reconsidered, he said.

‘‘It means the Government doesn’t value that type of work, so we need to consider how we value it.

‘‘The Government values the sealed road networks, so how do we allocate ratepayer money to those aspects of our network versus our unsealed roads.’’

Dobbie said Hurunui, a large rural community with around 13,000 residents, had about 900km of unsealed roads and 600km of sealed roads.

The council estimated it needs about $3 million a year to maintain and upgrade its ageing network of 286 bridges.

‘‘I think we have an understanding of what the issues are, but I wouldn’t say we are any closer to finding a solution,’’ Dobbie said.

He said he understood NZTA is restricted by Government funding.

‘‘This Government claims to be about infrastructure, so hopefully they can find a way to help us with intergenerational (or debt) funding and help us to pay it back.

‘‘We will pay our share.’’

Transport Minister Simeon Brown and NZTA have been contacted for comment.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

Image
1 day ago

The tiger who came to tea

Resene

Trays are such a useful item to have in the home – they are obviously great for serving food and drinks, particularly breakfast in bed! Find out how to create your own with Resene wallpaper and Resene Colorwood wood stain with these easy step by step instructions. Find out more

Image
8 days ago

Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nzView more
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.

Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.

To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.

It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.

“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.

“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”

A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.


The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.

Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.

“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”

A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.

“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”

*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz

Image
3 days ago

Does Your Organisation Need New Flooring?

Carpet Court

Is the flooring at your school, early childhood, community or sports centre old and threadbare? Or perhaps you have a new space where there’s no flooring at all. Your organisation could be eligible to receive $2,000 + gst from the RhinoKids Flooring Fund to go towards new flooring. Plus, one … View moreIs the flooring at your school, early childhood, community or sports centre old and threadbare? Or perhaps you have a new space where there’s no flooring at all. Your organisation could be eligible to receive $2,000 + gst from the RhinoKids Flooring Fund to go towards new flooring. Plus, one lucky organisation will win a $20,000 flooring makeover!

Carpet Court is continuing its’ mission to help improve Kiwi kids’ learning environments by rolling out its’ nationwide fund for the fifth year in a row. Apply today!
Find out more

Image
Top