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After the Christmas/New Year break, the North Canterbury Woodcraft Club Open Nights return on Wednesday 17 January.
Where: Northbrook Studios, 191 Northbrook Road, Rangiora
When: 7 pm, 17 January, 2024
What: A 2 hour expert free demonstration of woodturning
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Conservationists and biodiversity managers have suspected for some time the karoro (southern black-backed gull) was behaving as a predator to other native birds.
Now bird counts in Hurunui and Kaikōura show the karoro is a predator to threatened ground… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Conservationists and biodiversity managers have suspected for some time the karoro (southern black-backed gull) was behaving as a predator to other native birds.
Now bird counts in Hurunui and Kaikōura show the karoro is a predator to threatened ground nesting birds for a source of food, Environment Canterbury (ECan) senior biodiversity adviser Heath Melville says.
The karoro are ‘‘a big, beautiful bird’’, but have been monitored attacking nesting colonies until complete failure by destroying eggs and taking young chicks for food.
They are also known to attack newborn lambs and calves, and other vulnerable livestock.
‘‘We can certainly see the black backed gulls are relentless,’’ he said.
‘‘We have been doing some controls, but they are still returning to these sites to breed."
ECan recently completed bird counts at the Waiau Uwha and Hurunui rivers in the Hurunui district, and the Clarence Waiau Toa and Charwell rivers and along the Kaikōura coastline.
This was co-ordinated with bird counts conducted by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and other councils from across the South Island, to learn more about the karora and threatened native species nesting in colonies, primarily in braided riverbeds.
The Waiau Uwha braided river bird surveys have been completed eight times since 2008.
The latest count produced a similar result to previous years, with native bird numbers trending down, while karoro and exotic species were trending upwards.
In all, 45 bird species were identified in the Waiau Uwha survey, including native wrybill, white and black-fronted tern, and banded dotterel.
The birds were also threatened by animals and humans, as well as climate change, habitat loss and weed infestations in riverbeds, leaving birds to nest in areas prone to high river flows.
The Kaikōura sites were added to the bird survey last year, after the Kaikōura Zone Committee agreed to fund a count of the karoro, provided staff engage with mana whenua.
A Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura spokesperson said karoro eggs were traditionally collected as mahinga kai, but there was no need to manage the population prior to colonisation.
The birds have expanded into areas where land use provides increased food sources, particularly braided rivers surrounded by farmland, and near landfills or refuse centres.
The Rūnanga was supportive of taking control measures, provided decisions were based on good data, the spokesperson said.
‘‘The biggest concern for Ngāti Kurī is having a clear understanding of what is going on.
‘‘If the karoro is predating other native species in decline then we need to manage it.
‘‘But what if we have a cull and then we have a disease go through the population, then we have contributed to wiping them out.’’
Kaikōura had the largest red billed gull colonies in New Zealand, while black-billed gulls, shags, terns, oystercatchers and dotterels were also surveyed breeding in the area.
Bird counts were new in Kaikōura, aside from a 52-year study by local resident James Mills of red billed gulls on the Kaikōura Peninsula. This study has shown the red billed gull was in steady decline, despite predator control measures carried out by DOC.
The endangered red billed gulls were often considered a problem to outdoor diners, which has been exacerbated by declining food sources at sea, Melville said.
‘‘They get in people’s faces, take their eggs benny or their fish ’n chips because in many instances they are literally starving, whereas the karoro don’t tend to get so close, and are better adapted at foraging a more diverse diet in highly modified environments.’’
Melville said council staff will continue engaging with the Rūnanga, DOC, LINZ, Clarence River Rafting (which have been assisting in surveying nesting sites), researchers, and other councils and biodiversity managers to monitor the population and develop strategies to manage bird populations.
The karoro are proving to be a pest in other parts of the South Island.
In Geraldine, DOC biodiversity senior ranger Ian Fraser said his office has been working to control karoro on local rivers over the last eight years.
‘‘We have been talking with [Te Rūnanga o] Arowhenua and they have been working with Environment Canterbury, identifying the potential of karoro eggs as mahinga kai and the Rūnanga has carried out some control work as well.’’
Fraser said land use changes over the last 1000 years had favoured karoro over other native birds.
The clearing of forests have created open plains, while today’s farms offered plenty of food sources - ‘‘not to mention our waste facilities’’.
‘‘We have altered the balance, so we need to try to meddle in good ways.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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These are very well played with and has a few cracks but all in all looks to be good be played with a while longer.
$30 for both sets.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Affordable housing needs to be a priority for Kaiapoi as the town is the brink of major growth, Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson says.
Atkinson is looking at ways to keep house prices down, including offering leasehold land for development.
… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Affordable housing needs to be a priority for Kaiapoi as the town is the brink of major growth, Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson says.
Atkinson is looking at ways to keep house prices down, including offering leasehold land for development.
More than a decade on from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes which devastated the town, its population is now more than 13,000 and is set for more growth.
Atkinson, who is the council’s housing portfolio holder, said affordable housing is a human right, but the question is how to achieve it.
‘‘People are saying ‘you keep talking about it and don’t do anything’, but we are, but it is complicated and planning takes time.
‘‘There are so many people in different degrees of inadequate housing and there are no easy solutions.
‘‘It is about looking at different models which can work and giving people some options.’’
Statistics New Zealand high growth projections suggest the town could grow by 52% over the next 30 years, creating demand for an extra 2900 new houses.
The proposed Waimakariri District Plan, which is expected to take effect later this year, proposes opening up 97 hectares for housing in Kaiapoi - enough land for more than 4000 houses.
To help reduce the upfront housing costs and rising debt levels, Atkinson would like to see more council and government owned land opened up as leasehold land for housing.
‘‘There would need to be a bit of due diligence around the lease agreements, but it could be a great option for people.
‘‘As long as we can get banks on board, it would significantly reduce their mortgage as they wouldn’t need to borrow as much.’’
Te Kohaka o Tuhaitara Trust, a partnership between the council and Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga, has proposed making former red zone land at Kairaki Beach available as leasehold land for housing.
Atkinson said the land may only have finite life, given the predictions around sea level rise, so it would mean home owners were not tied to the land.
Another option could be selling a house on an undeveloped section, with the home owner adding a driveway, garage, lawn and garden as they could afford it.
‘‘It won’t work for everybody and developers often want to offer a complete package, but we need to look at ways of making it more affordable.’’
The council is expecting an update soon on a mixed used development on former red zone land on the south bank of the Kaiapoi River, first proposed by local developer William Hill Consulting Ltd in 2021.
Atkinson is also keen for his council to explore a Dunedin City Council model of centralised hot water heating cylinders on pensioner housing, which has significantly reduced power bills.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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For the 4th time, Paul will complete the fun but challenging endurance ride 250km coast-to-coast over the Southern Alps to… View morePaul would love your support with fundraising for this awesome Charity who make such as difference in helping to reduce the impact of cancer through the supports they offer.
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No matter how big or small, your support will be gratefully accepted and can be made through the link attached or scanning the QR code.
Hi neighbours
Im after top soil if any one has some for sale
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By local democracy reporter David Hill:
Residents in a Canterbury housing development have raised funds to install their own CCTV cameras amid fears of burglaries and car thefts.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey joined with residents in the Kaiapoi suburb of Sovereign Palms last week to mark the … View moreBy local democracy reporter David Hill:
Residents in a Canterbury housing development have raised funds to install their own CCTV cameras amid fears of burglaries and car thefts.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey joined with residents in the Kaiapoi suburb of Sovereign Palms last week to mark the installation of the first CCTV camera.
‘‘This is a good example of a community standing up for themselves and deciding they’ve had enough of their homes being broken into and taking back some control,’’ Doocey said.
‘‘It is a way to take their streets back.’’
Despite a recent spike in crime, North Canterbury remained one of the safest communities in New Zealand, North Canterbury police said.
The region's growing population and improved transport access were contributing to a changing environment in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
Residents have been fundraising to install the CCTV cameras, with help from police, the Waimakariri District Council and North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support.
Doocey said the community-led initiative started after resident Wendy Tait approached him when her campervan was stolen.
After looking into the installation of CCTV cameras by the Hurunui District Council, Doocey called a meeting in Kaiapoi last year.
Nearly 300 people attended and decided to fundraise for CCTV cameras to be installed in Sovereign Palms.
North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support helped residents by holding the raised funds.
Manager Dalice Stewart said the Sovereign Palms residents were still raising funds, with the goal of having three cameras in place by the end of the year.
Communities in Kaiapoi's Siliverstream, Rangiora, Woodend and Pegasus have expressed an interest in having cameras.
‘‘It really needs someone to step up and drive it,’’ Stewart said.
Retired police officer Ken Eccles, of Nelson, was helping community groups to navigate the legal and technical requirements, she said.
Pegasus Residents Group Inc vice-president Heidi Wood said the group has identified some sites for CCTV cameras and hoped to roll out phase one soon.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the council had a network of CCTV cameras in central Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Oxford and it supported developing a community-led of cameras similar to the Hurunui model.
‘‘Our district has an excellent service provided by Neighbourhood Support and the community patrols working to keep our communities safe.
‘‘I’m sure additional cameras would complement the work they do and would be well received.’’
CCTV cameras were instrumental in helping police identify the offender after a pounamu carving was stolen in Hanmer Springs four years ago.
Canterbury rural police area commander Inspector Peter Cooper said CCTV cameras are a valuable crime prevention tool.
Police engaged with councils to discuss crime trends and the best places to install cameras.
‘‘Nationally, a number of local authorities operate and may monitor crime prevention CCTV networks to help reduce the incidence of crime and disorder, so that members of the community feel safe when visiting the public areas covered by the cameras.’’
Camera footage could be used to track criminals, provided the use of CCTV cameras and sharing of data complied with the Privacy Act 2020.
■ The cost is about $4000 for the first camera. To make donation, contact North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support at ncns.org.nz.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rapid population growth in some North Canterbury towns could lead to future housing shortages, a new report warns.
The proposed Waimakariri District Plan, which is expected to take effect later this year, is set to open up more than 330 hectares of land… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rapid population growth in some North Canterbury towns could lead to future housing shortages, a new report warns.
The proposed Waimakariri District Plan, which is expected to take effect later this year, is set to open up more than 330 hectares of land for housing in Rangiora and Kaiapoi, allowing for up to 20,000 new homes.
A report by consultancy firm Formative Ltd assessed the capacity for growth in the Waimakariri towns of Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Ravenswood and Pegasus over the next 30 years.
The district’s population of 70,000 could balloon out to 100,000 over the next 30 years, based on StatsNZ’s high growth scenario.
Based on a formula of 2.6 people per house, nearly 12,000 new houses will be needed.
‘‘This means there is sufficient capacity within the urban environment to meet expected demand for both the medium and long term,’’ the report says.
However, the report’s authors warned the situation in Kaiapoi ‘‘should be monitored’’.
‘‘If growth continues at or exceeds the high projection, the council may need to provide more capacity.’’
Rapid growth in Woodend, Ravenswood and Pegasus means the area is likely to face a shortage of housing supply by about 2037, so it will need to be monitored, the report says.
But the report’s authors suggest the shortfall could be accommodated in Rangiora and Kaiapoi.
The council faced criticism last year following a private change request from Rolleston Industrial Developments Ltd to rezone 156ha at Ohoka, near Rangiora, to build 850 houses.
In their recommendation to decline the request, the independent commissioners criticised the council for not making enough provision for housing growth.
The latest report predicted there would be demand for 4970 new houses in the main towns over the next decade and 11,700 over the next 30 years, based on the high growth scenario.
Kaiapoi’s population of more than 13,000 is expected to grow by 52% over the next 30 years, creating demand for about 2900 new houses.
About 97ha in east and north Kaiapoi has been earmarked for growth in the proposed District Plan, including land that was red zoned after the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes.
Any development would be subject to planning rules, taking into consideration flood risk and other variables, a council spokesperson said.
Rangiora’s population is approaching 20,000 and is expected to grow by 36% by 2053, requiring about 2960 new houses.
Under existing planning, there is capacity for 2450 new houses, with the proposed District Plan set to open up 235ha in northeast, southeast and southwest Rangiora.
Ongoing growth was also projected in Oxford and in the district’s rural communities.
The council will seek another report once the new District Plan is in place.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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