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14 days ago

Kaitlyn

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

"I've been doing compost workshops for the community for four years. But I guess composting for like the past eight years.

It originally started because we moved and our house came with the compost bin. I was curious to know what it was, so we started composting, but like, just chucking stuff and not really knowing what we're doing. Then pumpkins and potatoes just started growing out of it.
I got into gardening during lockdown. My French teacher gave me some broccoli seeds, and I grew those and then obviously, you go through the journey of discovering soils are really important to grow healthy kai.

When I was in Year 13, I was volunteering at an orchard and I ran my first compost workshop. It was pretty cool. And then people just wanted me to keep doing them. Me and my sister got an internship at the Council doing compost education for the community but my compost passion actually came from hearing about Kaicycle's composting programme in Wellington. I want to set up a composting business like that.

Me and my sister started Compost Club at Uni last year. Our main aim is to make composting more accessible and commonplace on campus, especially for students because we find that students want to compost, but they don't know how or they don’t have the resources. We go to their flat and we run a mini workshop for them, come back three weeks later, check out how it's going.

I've taken a break this semester from burnout.

I just find it hard to say no, you get to that position where your body makes you say, no, I can't do any more. I feel like in the environmental space people burn out a lot. I guess why I've struggled with saying no, is because I feel like I can change the world. But no, I can't! We need everyone to do their little part to make a change.

I'm really passionate about cooking and growing healthy kai and having a slow life. And I haven't done that yet. But I'm working towards it."

- Kaitlyn

View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org...

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

For a bit of fun...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

What old products do you miss? Some products do become part of your life, whether it's just a treat you have at the cinema or your favourite breakfast spread.

Do you have a childhood memory to share? Let us know below what products you still think of fondly!

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3 hours ago

Canterbury councils team up to tackle climate change

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

North Canterbury’s three councils have thrown their weight behind a plan to tackle climate change.

The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura councils have endorsed the Canterbury Mayoral Forum’s draft climate partnership plan.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon, who chairs the mayoral forum’s climate action reference group, said by working together larger councils could help the smaller councils.

‘‘Climate change doesn’t recognise territorial boundaries, so we need something that works across Canterbury.

‘‘Christchurch is further ahead, which is fantastic, and in Waimakariri we are developing our work programme.’’

The Waimakariri District Council adopted its natural environment strategy at a council meeting last week, after completing its consultation alongside the long-term plan.

The 30-year strategy aims to protect the district’s natural ecosystems and its special indigenous biodiversity.

Gordon said the mayors hoped to officially launch the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan later this year and he planned to invite Climate Change Minister Simon Watts.

‘‘I have raised with the Minister about attending a public launch to provide some inspiration of what can be done in other regions.’’

The plan sets out 10 climate actions to help the 11 Canterbury councils prepare for ‘‘a sustainable future’’.

The actions included understanding climate risks and improving resilience, reducing emissions, adaptation planning, nature-based solutions, education and advocacy, supporting papatipu rūnanga, integrating climate change considerations into council processes, identifying co-funding opportunities, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation.

Hurunui mayor Marie Black said her council had endorsed the plan in principle.

The Hurunui District Council was represented on the climate action reference group by Councillor Dave Hislop, a dairy farmer.

‘‘Dave brings a pragmatic approach and he is grounded in farming principles,’’ Black said.

Hislop and other rural councillors had questioned aspects of the plan and science behind it, before giving their support, chief executive Hamish Dobbie said.

‘‘I think it has been through a robust process and councillors of all persuasions have been involved.

‘‘We might not 100% agree with everything, but it is important Canterbury stands together and is seen to be working together.

‘‘There is a desire for us to thrive and do well and loom large in the consciousness of the Government and the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan is just one of those things which we are working on collectively.’’

Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said his council had endorsed the plan and budgeted for its contribution over the next three years in its long-term plan.

‘‘We believe it is a great initiative to be looking at the issues from a wider regional perspective.

‘‘We are very keen to see some tangible outcomes from the climate actions.’’

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

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9 hours ago

It's prize draw Tuesday...

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

...and our winners can treat the young people in their lives. Congratulations to:

Lauren Brown from Invercargill

Paula Ratahi from New Plymouth

Whetu Matthews from Tauranga

Geraldine Alison from Whangarei

These members have won a $100 Toyworld gift card! Get in touch here before the 16th of July, winners!

We have a prize draw every Tuesday so make sure you come back every week and check whether you're a winner.

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