New rowing precinct for Kaiapoi River
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Work could begin later this year to develop a rowing precinct at Kaiapoi’s Murphy Park.
The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board has approved a plan presented by Waimakariri District Council staff and asked staff to seek more funding as part of the 2023-24 annual plan process.
Implementation project manager Duncan Roxborough said once the funding is secured, staff would begin constructing the launch facility on the Kaiapoi River, at the Murphy Park site, over the summer.
Earthworks and landscaping upgrades would be completed once the Kaiapoi Croquet Club has relocated to the Kaiapoi Community Hub.
A new esplanade walk way around the edge of Murphy Park is also proposed.
St Margaret’s College (Christchurch) and Union Rowing Clubs have used the Kaiapoi river as a base since the earthquakes.
In 2018, they asked the council about creating a permanent rowing base on the river.
Storage facilities for the two clubs’ skiffs, and parking will also be developed.
A budget of $510,000 was set aside for the project in the 2021-31 long-term plan. The council has since received a $360,608 quote to build a 32-metre by 3-metre pontoon, with two gangways. This means a revised budget of about $720,000 is needed, leaving a budget shortfall of $210,000.
Staff hoped to find $160,000 by reallocating funding in the annual plan, with the rowing clubs to find the remaining $50,000.
The pontoon and facilities would be available for use by the wider community, as well as the rowing clubs, Roxborough said.
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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