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The Heart Foundation Lottery No. 144 is now open. For as little as one $15 ticket, you will be in the draw to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home worth just over a million dollars in beautiful Whitianga. There are also other great prizes to be won, including overseas holidays, $10,000 … View moreThe Heart Foundation Lottery No. 144 is now open. For as little as one $15 ticket, you will be in the draw to win a brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home worth just over a million dollars in beautiful Whitianga. There are also other great prizes to be won, including overseas holidays, $10,000 cash and a new Toyota hybrid. Proceeds from all tickets help to fund life-saving heart research. Someone will win this incredible home on 30 November. Now that would make it a summer to remember!
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Just two options have been proposed to manage the "dangerous" threat posed by the flood-prone Waiho River to the wider Franz Josef community.
In a heated community meeting at Franz Josef on Wednesday, the West Coast Regional Council … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Just two options have been proposed to manage the "dangerous" threat posed by the flood-prone Waiho River to the wider Franz Josef community.
In a heated community meeting at Franz Josef on Wednesday, the West Coast Regional Council suggested two options: do nothing or sacrifice the southern stopbanks.
For years the community has been waiting for answers on what would be done about what one official described as potentially the "most dangerous flood plain in the country".
The Waiho River has been changing its course and rising due to sediment build up, putting rural properties and Franz Josef at risk.
Anger was palpable at times among a crowd of 50 on Wednesday, with one man walking out while graphically expressing his frustration.
"We have had no meeting for four years and it's a lack of respect for us," Waiho Flat land owner Sonia Pettigrew said.
"There's media here now, and our land values are plummeting."
South side farmer Graham Berry said it was "ridiculous" affected landowners were not involved in the process to decide on a strategy.
Berry said it was "galling" it had come to this, as officials had suggested three years ago to move State Highway 6 within five years, with promises about Waiho Flat plans.
"F... you. I'm not going to take this any more ... That plan was meant to be there with action within five years.
"We know the risk," Berry said.
Council chief executive Darryl Lew said "this is the country's new Esk Valley". "This is probably the most dangerous flood plain in the country right now."
He said his biggest concern was the risk to people.
The Waiho River burst its banks in 2019, flooding the rural Waiho Flat community and causing stress over its future.
"We've got to come together as a community with the councils and make an approach to Government. We can't do this ourselves," Lew said.
Council chairperson Peter Haddock acknowledged and apologised for the level of grievances, saying they were trying to get to the bottom of it.
Until six months ago, Haddock said he wanted to "hold the line," believing the rate of sedimentation and the existing stopbank alignment on both sides would give them years before action was needed.
However, he said he changed his mind after hearing new expert evidence and it would be doing the community "an injustice" to let it lie.
"How long has Franz left? Maybe 20 years. If we let the banks go on the south side, maybe three times longer," Haddock said.
"The community has to decide whether to hope like hell or plan things. I understand this is people's lives, this is people's properties. It's a horrendous thing."
He said central Government had to come to the party.
"I believe it would be a very brave government to turn down a plan … I urge you to try and think seriously about this and look at the options. I don't think the Government can walk away from a river that powerful."
Both local MPs, Damien O'Connor and Maureen Pugh, sent apologies for not attending the meeting.
A technical explanation at the meeting, led by river engineers and hyrdrologists, emphasised the preferred option to secure the township on the Waiho north bank, for the medium term, and systematically remove the southern stopbanks starting in about five years.
This has been suggested previously.
The community were asked last night to come back within weeks with their views and council has promised another meeting to talk things through.
Lew said he had spoken with both major parties and officials, and he knew they needed a united community voice to get government help.
"We want to stand with you."
It would require a deal of the size and scale as that seen in the North Island after Cyclone Gabrielle.
Almost $9 million from the original Waiho River protection package, set three years ago, was still set aside.
But it would not be released until they had a clear business plan from both councils and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio.
Lew proposed the previously allocated money be used to assess how to begin a buyout assessment, as well as plan the progressive staged retreat.
But he said a lot needed to be done to achieve that, including getting the Government to cough up more money - expected to be hundreds of millions of dollars.
River engineer Matt Gardner, who has been modelling the aggradation rate in the Waiho bed for years, illustrated the effect of doing nothing with the constricted river.
There was a risk of "catastrophic failure" of the stopbanks on both sides in a natural event.
The Alpine Fault risk was also significant in that.
In the next 10 years, it was predicted the river bed would be 3m higher if nothing was done, or 1m higher if the south stopbanks were let go.
As it was, the river bed was already higher than the Franz Josef township on the north side, behind the existing stopbanks.
Under the 10-year plan, the southern stopbanks would be removed in a staged approach - after assets like moving State Highway 6 had been worked through and funded.
Lew, who has a river hydrology background, said within a month of arriving in June, he saw the river rapidly move into the Tatare catchment, to the north.
"The bed levels [are] rising at a rate never before seen in the river."
He assessed the state of the existing stopbank system and became really concerned about "catastrophic failure", he said.
On top of that, there was the frequency and magnitude of floods in the river.
"We need a plan here, and unfortunately we haven't had a plan."
October 14th is the last day for voting in the General Election 2023. And while there are some policies that are nice to have, there are other issues that are imperative to us. Where do your priorities lie this election? From the options below, choose what is swaying your vote the most.
Type … View moreOctober 14th is the last day for voting in the General Election 2023. And while there are some policies that are nice to have, there are other issues that are imperative to us. Where do your priorities lie this election? From the options below, choose what is swaying your vote the most.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
Getting dressed for the day took on a new meaning as members of a fashion troupe quickly donned gowns, bodices and petticoats in a fast-moving fashion show for Ryman residents.
Corsets and bustles were show off at every twist and turn. There were multiple outfit changes for the Yvette Williams … View moreGetting dressed for the day took on a new meaning as members of a fashion troupe quickly donned gowns, bodices and petticoats in a fast-moving fashion show for Ryman residents.
Corsets and bustles were show off at every twist and turn. There were multiple outfit changes for the Yvette Williams Village event, as the fashion models made the most of an Otepoti Dunedin Heritage Festival event.
Historical costumer Lorraine Clark has been showing off Regency, Victorian and Edwardian garments throughout the South Island since 2005. She and Wilma Graham are two of the original members. Known as, Images of the Past, the group wear historically-accurate period garb.
Click to read the full story.
Ryman Healthcare is proud to champion the women's game like never before. We are committed to supporting initiatives that empower women and celebrate their achievements, showcased through our official partnership with the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens.
Our partnership brings a host of … View moreRyman Healthcare is proud to champion the women's game like never before. We are committed to supporting initiatives that empower women and celebrate their achievements, showcased through our official partnership with the Black Ferns and Black Ferns Sevens.
Our partnership brings a host of benefits that contribute to the growth and development of women's rugby. Together, we aim to inspire the next generation of players and foster a vibrant community around the sport. Click here to learn more.
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For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be lived in and loved by its new owners.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
In the lead-up to the 2023 general election, The Press is profiling local electoral races. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates running to be West Coast-Tasman’s MP. (By reporter Joanne Naish)
The Labour Party won the West Coast-Tasman electorate party vote in 2020 for the first… View moreIn the lead-up to the 2023 general election, The Press is profiling local electoral races. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates running to be West Coast-Tasman’s MP. (By reporter Joanne Naish)
The Labour Party won the West Coast-Tasman electorate party vote in 2020 for the first time since 2005.
It is a blue-voting heartland, but its long-standing MP is a Labour stalwart.
The West Coast-Tasman electorate seat has been held by Labour’s Damien O’Connor since 1996, apart from the interjection of National’s Chris Auchinvole from 2008 to 2011. The seat has never been held by a woman.
National took the party vote in every election since 2005 until Labour captured 20,521 party votes against National’s 10,934 in 2020. Labour gained 10.2 percentage points on its party vote share in 2017.
It is the second largest electorate by land area, stretching from Jackson Bay in the south to Farewell Spit in the north and as far east as the Southern Alps.
It adopted the traditionally blue-leaning settlement of Brightwater from Nelson to meet the population quota after the 2020 boundary review.
There are nine candidates standing for the electorate seat this year, including Jackie Farrelly (New Zealand First), Steve Richards (Greens), Kelly Lilley (ACT), Sue Grey (Outdoors and Freedom Party), and Richard Osmaston (Money Free Party). Sebastian Marinkovich is standing for New Zealand Loyal but is not on the party list after it only registered two of its candidates. Former Minerals West Coast manager and Westland District councillor Patrick Phelps is standing as an independent.
O’Connor took 48.5%, or 42,827, of the votes in 2020, 6208 more than National candidate Maureen Pugh, who is currently 26th on the National Party list.
Pugh, a farmer and former Westland mayor from Turiwhate, was the lowest ranking MP (number 19) to make it in on her party’s list in 2020. She previously described herself as a yo-yo MP since she narrowly missed entering Parliament on the list in the 2014 election, but came in after the resignation of Tim Groser in 2015. She again missed the cut on the list in 2017, but took a list seat after Bill English resigned in 2018.
O’Connor, a farmer from Westport, was first elected to Parliament in 1993 and holds ministerial portfolios in agriculture, biosecurity, land information, and trade and export growth, and is associate transport minister.
The electorate’s main population centres are Motueka, Westport, and Greymouth. It also includes the towns of Haast, Hokitika, Murchison, St Arnaud, Wakefield, Brightwater, and Tākaka. The electorate contains over half of New Zealand’s national parks.
Its 52,737 voters are mostly employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing industry (15.8%), followed by manufacturing (10.3%), and accommodation and food services (9.8%)
Over nine in 10 people in West Coast-Tasman are European (91.6%), the highest share among general electorates, and almost one-fifth (17.8%) use coal to heat their home.
Two West Coast hotels reopened this week after closing down in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The historic Lake Mahinapua Hotel, made famous by the Mainland Cheese advertisements, opened to the public again on Sunday for the first time since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020.… View moreTwo West Coast hotels reopened this week after closing down in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The historic Lake Mahinapua Hotel, made famous by the Mainland Cheese advertisements, opened to the public again on Sunday for the first time since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020.
According to data from MarketView, international visitor spending surpassed pre-Covid levels on the West Coast for the month of August.
Scenic Group also reopened its Heartland Glacier Country hotel in Fox Glacier on Sunday. It has now reopened all four of its hotels in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier which were mothballed during the pandemic.
Read the full story from reporter Joanne Naish here (subscription required).
Create a birdbath with a natural sandstone paint effect with Resene Sandtex.
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We've loving our Rugby World Cup fans sharing their photos on Neighbourly and bringing the spirit!
These fans below have won some spot prizes, keep sharing your photos to be in to win!
Now’s the perfect time to get decorating with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at Resene ColorShops. Choose from thousands of colours and get your favourites tinted in Eco Choice approved Resene paints.
Ask … View moreNow’s the perfect time to get decorating with 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers, sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products at Resene ColorShops. Choose from thousands of colours and get your favourites tinted in Eco Choice approved Resene paints.
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Hi there,
I'm writing a story on what's it like to live with a loud voice. Are you someone who gets high-pitched whenever you are excited? Does your family constantly nag you to dial down your voice? Or are you someone who's annoyed by your loved ones' loud talking?
If you… View moreHi there,
I'm writing a story on what's it like to live with a loud voice. Are you someone who gets high-pitched whenever you are excited? Does your family constantly nag you to dial down your voice? Or are you someone who's annoyed by your loved ones' loud talking?
If you can relate to any such scenario, I would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or you can email me at sanda.arambepola@stuff.co.nz
Please put 'NFP' (not for publication) in your comment if you don't want it or your name to appear in the article.
Thank you for taking the time to share your stories.
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… View moreWe're a Rugby MAD nation!
Which team are you supporting? How do they compare against the rest in this Rugby World Cup?
Share why you rate your team and you could WIN Sky Sport Now for 3 months (valued at $135)!
CLICK below to enter! Act fast, the entry deadline is October 12, 2023.
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It's a controversial topic that can cause arguments for bed companions as well as staunch bedding enthusiasts.
Some people sleep beneath a top sheet, while others have said goodbye to 'hospital corners' and just use a duvet. Let's see how kiwis are sleeping these days, share … View moreIt's a controversial topic that can cause arguments for bed companions as well as staunch bedding enthusiasts.
Some people sleep beneath a top sheet, while others have said goodbye to 'hospital corners' and just use a duvet. Let's see how kiwis are sleeping these days, share your vote and your reasons below!
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
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