Westland District, Hokitika

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Want to get to know your neighbours?

Check out our Know Thy Neighbour page here.

34 days ago

Aged Advisor People's Choice Award Winners - for the fifth time!

Kevin Hickman Retirement Village

We're proud to be named Best Provider Nationwide - for the fifth time - at the 2024 Aged Advisor People’s Choice Awards for Best Retirement Village and Aged Care Facilities.

The high ratings and reviews we receive from our residents and their families reflects the effort our team puts … View more
We're proud to be named Best Provider Nationwide - for the fifth time - at the 2024 Aged Advisor People’s Choice Awards for Best Retirement Village and Aged Care Facilities.

The high ratings and reviews we receive from our residents and their families reflects the effort our team puts into providing the best possible experience for our residents.

Our passion is creating communities where our residents can thrive. Receiving this award for the fifth time tells us that we’re on the right track.

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35 days ago

Bird house

Resene

It’s easy to create your own colourful bird house from an old wooden box and some Resene testpots. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions. Find out more

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36 days ago

Be Loved this Spring! 25% off SPCA dog adoption fees ends this Sunday

The Team from SPCA Hokitika - Op Shop

Until Sunday only, SPCA dog and puppy adoption fees are 25% off. Plus, every dog adopter gets a free Simparica Trio flea, tick & worm treatment, and discount voucher.

We have more than 300 adoption-ready dogs and puppies nationwide. So many of these dogs and puppies are still waiting … View more
Until Sunday only, SPCA dog and puppy adoption fees are 25% off. Plus, every dog adopter gets a free Simparica Trio flea, tick & worm treatment, and discount voucher.

We have more than 300 adoption-ready dogs and puppies nationwide. So many of these dogs and puppies are still waiting patiently for their forever families, who - we’re crossing our fingers - will walk through our doors this weekend.

Visit www.spca.nz... to start your journey together.

37 days ago

Sweeten the pot

The Team from Resene ColorShop Timaru

Show your potted plants off in a self-decorated container using Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path or Resene Sandtex. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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38 days ago

Resene October sale on now!

Resene

Save 25% on Resene quality paints, wood stains, primers and wallpapers at Resene ColorShops!
Choose from our huge range of paints and colours designed and made in New Zealand. Bring out the best in your home with Resene, NZ’s Most Trusted Paint.
Find out more

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38 days ago

Product recalls this month

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Here are some items that have been recalled during September - October. Click on the blue title to learn more details about the recalled product.

Food recalls:
Farro Kitchen pulled lamb shank ragu (product may contain glass!)
ABC sweet soy sauce
Kelp & Seaweed Products (elevated level of … View more
Here are some items that have been recalled during September - October. Click on the blue title to learn more details about the recalled product.

Food recalls:
Farro Kitchen pulled lamb shank ragu (product may contain glass!)
ABC sweet soy sauce
Kelp & Seaweed Products (elevated level of arsenic!)
On The Go chip products
Pams cracked pepper salmon & Origin salmon
All Good Barista Oat Milk

Product recalls:
Toyota Pruis model years 2022-2024
Brompton t line bike
John Deere 1023ev tractor
Suzuki GSX1300RRQ model years 2020-2024
UVC Disinfection Unit Purifier
Kia EV9 model years 2024-2025
Polaris xp kinetic ranger
Cummins diesel engine
Mazda models years 2013-2020

We hope this update was helpful to you and your whānau.

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39 days ago

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

The Team from Ryman Healthcare

Ryman villages across the country are open every Wednesday in October and November.

Experience the Ryman lifestyle and learn about our living options, tour our showhomes and discover the wonderful amenities on offer.

Click find out more for more information.
Find out more

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40 days ago

West Coast One Plan costs soar

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:

The costs of creating a combined District Plan for the West Coast are soaring as the process moves into the hearings stage.

Councils, iwi and planners have been working since 2019 on Te Tai o Poutini Plan, one document to cover the planning rules for… View more
By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:

The costs of creating a combined District Plan for the West Coast are soaring as the process moves into the hearings stage.

Councils, iwi and planners have been working since 2019 on Te Tai o Poutini Plan, one document to cover the planning rules for all three district councils – Buller, Grey and Westland.

The job has been managed and funded by the West Coast Regional Council, and so far it has cost ratepayers $2.6 million - close to half a million dollars a year. West Coast Regional Council has funded most of the remainder by borrowing about $2.5m.

Project manager Jo Armstrong gave the TTPP committee a heads-up this month that expenses are about to rise sharply.

“It is anticipated that the hearing commissioner budget will produce a sizeable overspend by the end of the financial year,” Armstrong reported.

In the first two months of the financial year, the council paid out $200,601 to the four Hearing Commissioners, and $219,057 to consultant planners and contractors.

Almost two-thirds of the annual budget for consultant and contractors had already been used, Armstrong said.

“This expenditure is necessary and not unexpected,” she told the committee.

“Up until now we have met all our budgets, with no unexpected additional borrowing - but last financial year was the first of a larger amount of spending due to the hearings process.”

The planning team had to pull in additional resources for the hearings, contracting out related work, including writing reports and giving expert evidence.

“So expenses for this year and last year are up."

The commissioners themselves were working tirelessly, making site visits from one end of the Coast to the other to inform themselves about the places referred to in the proposed plan, Armstrong said.

“They are brilliant – thoughtful, intelligent - they understand what’s happening on the West Coast and what it is we’re trying to achieve.”

Armstrong said at this stage of the plan project it was useful to recap how it came about and how it was funded.

In 2018, after a petition from Westland ratepayers, the Local Government Commission held an inquiry into the Coast’s three-district council set-up.

It ruled out amalgamation but said the three councils should share one District Plan, and in 2019 that was ordained by the Government.

It also established the TTPP Committee and its membership, set up the Technical Advisory Team (planners), and decreed that the Plan project would be funded by a Regional rate.

That amounted to a ‘hospital pass’, WCRC chairperson Peter Haddock commented, at the TTPP meeting.

But Grey mayor Tania Gibson challenged that - the regional council leadership at the time had lobbied hard to be in control of the plan project.

The Westland and regional councils each put in $25,000 towards costs in the first year.

Grey and Buller councils did not contribute - saying the regional rate was the correct way to fund the Plan.

In 2019, the planning team began the task of reviewing all the rules in the Coast’s three District Plan and the TTPP committee scrutinised and debated them for three years, holding public meetings and drop-in sessions to engage the community.

In 2021-22, the councils agreed to top up the regional rate by borrowing to fund the Plan over its 10-year life.

That had enabled TTPP development to continue at a steady pace through the costly research and hearings phases, Armstrong said.

In January 2022 the TTPP team put out a first (exposure) draft and a companion volume on the controversial Natural Hazards chapter.

After another round of submissions, the proposed plan was formally notified in July 2022, final submissions closed in May 2023 and hearings began in October last year.

To date, the whole process has cost $5.6m. Ratepayers have contributed $2.8m, and the Regional Council has funded most of the remainder by borrowings of $2.5m.

The hearings continue this year and next and commissioners Dean Chrystal, Anton Becker, Sharon McGarRy and Moira Bartlett, are expected to deliver their final report in June 2025.

The TTPP committee must then make their final decisions with the aim of making the Plan operative by October nest year.

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

48 days ago

Poll: Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There's nothing worse than strolling around the streets in your neighbourhood and seeing dumped rubbish.

Have you noticed this in your area? What could we do to combat this around the country?

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Is dumping an issue in your neighbourhood?
  • 42.3% Yes, I've seen some illegal dumping
    42.3% Complete
  • 57.1% No, our neighbourhood is pretty good
    57.1% Complete
  • 0.6% Other - I'll share below
    0.6% Complete
2156 votes
40 days ago

Win this brand new home!

Heart Foundation Lottery

For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in breathtaking Blenheim, Marlborough.

Valued at over $1 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 … View more
For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in breathtaking Blenheim, Marlborough.

Valued at over $1 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!

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Find out more

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41 days ago

Maintaining independence as we age

Kevin Hickman Retirement Village

As we age, mobility and health issues can affect daily routines and independence. It’s natural to want to step in when a loved one faces challenges with tasks they once managed easily. However, instead of taking over completely, finding a balance that offers support while still encouraging … View moreAs we age, mobility and health issues can affect daily routines and independence. It’s natural to want to step in when a loved one faces challenges with tasks they once managed easily. However, instead of taking over completely, finding a balance that offers support while still encouraging independence is key.

Chris Sinclair, Ryman's Community Liaison Leader, shares helpful tips for families and caregivers on how to promote independence and support overall wellbeing.

Click read more for the full article.

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44 days ago

Toadstool table

Resene

It’s a lot of fun (and easy) to turn a terracotta plant pot and saucer into your very own toadstool table with Resene Poppy and Resene Alabaster paint.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Find out more

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46 days ago

Successful pest control effort to seek charity status

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporting:

West Coast Regional councillors have agreed in principle to hand over the management of its successful Predator Free Te Kinga project to a charitable trust.

Over the past four years the council has led the pest control mission over 17,000 hectares of public and … View more
By local democracy reporting:

West Coast Regional councillors have agreed in principle to hand over the management of its successful Predator Free Te Kinga project to a charitable trust.

Over the past four years the council has led the pest control mission over 17,000 hectares of public and private land around the mountain, funded by a $4.4m Provincial Growth Fund grant in 2020.

The project has had strong buy-in from local farmers.

And the council’s Resource Management committee heard on Tuesday that the project involving Lake Brunner landowners, DOC and local schools is nearing its goal of eliminating possums from Mount Te Kinga.

The last one should be gone by early next year, the council’s environmental science manager Shanti Morgan told the meeting.

The network of self-setting traps, bait stations and cameras managed by the council company Vector Control Services had proved highly effective and native species were returning including kaka, fernbirds, New Zealand falcon.

A bittern and a lone female great spotted kiwi had also been sighted, Morgan said.

But plenty of other pests remained in the area including rats, stoats, feral cats and deer.

A 1080 aerial drop planned for the mountain soon should bring a high rate of kill, she said.

But Predator Free 2050 had confirmed it had no funding for the future maintenance of the Te Kinga project, and the remaining $1.6 million PGF money had to be spent by July next year.

“We need to expand the funding options, and be part of a charitable entity,” Morgan said.

As a non-council enterprise, the Te Kinga project would be eligible for funding from charities and philanthropic sources, and could still contract the council’s business arm, Vector Control Servies to manage the pest control.

Councillor Peter Ewen said he was sceptical that the Predator Free 2050 goal could be achieved and asked if the lone kiwi on Te Kinga should be moved before the 1080 drop.

Morgan referred the councillor to the 1080 investigation by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright in 2011 which had found the biodiversity benefits of 1080 far outweighed any risks.

“I am confident we can make Te Kinga predator free by 2050,” Ms Morgan said.

The two iwi reps on the committee weighed in with differing perspectives.

Makaawhio representative Jackie Douglas said the iwi was not keen on 1080 but cooperated reluctantly with its use.

Te Waewae chairperson Francois Tumahai said his iwi fully supported the use of 1080 and the setting up of a trust to continue the Te Kinga project after 2025.

The committee voted to approve in principle the setting up of the charitable entity.

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

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48 days ago

Changing the conversation around dementia

Kevin Hickman Retirement Village

Reducing stigma starts with the words we use, and shifting the way we talk about dementia is a powerful step forward. This World Alzheimer’s Month, Ryman is highlighting the importance of reducing the discrimination caused by stigma surrounding people living with dementia.

Caroline Bartle, … View more
Reducing stigma starts with the words we use, and shifting the way we talk about dementia is a powerful step forward. This World Alzheimer’s Month, Ryman is highlighting the importance of reducing the discrimination caused by stigma surrounding people living with dementia.

Caroline Bartle, Ryman’s Dementia Care and Innovations Lead, says that using appropriate language when referring to people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia can foster a more inclusive society. This not only benefits those experiencing cognitive decline but also their families and the wider community.

Click read more for the full article.

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50 days ago

Be Loved this Spring! Reduced fee dog adoptions at SPCA start today

The Team from SPCA Hokitika - Op Shop

From 5-20 October only, SPCA dog and puppy adoption fees are 25% off. Plus, every dog adopter gets a free Simparica Trio flea, tick & worm treatment, and discount voucher.

We have more than 300 adoption-ready dogs and puppies nationwide, waiting for their happy forever after.

Visit … View more
From 5-20 October only, SPCA dog and puppy adoption fees are 25% off. Plus, every dog adopter gets a free Simparica Trio flea, tick & worm treatment, and discount voucher.

We have more than 300 adoption-ready dogs and puppies nationwide, waiting for their happy forever after.

Visit www.spca.nz... to start your journey together.

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