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Single room available in friendly home. Quiet street near Elephant Park. Own cooking and washing. Non smoker. $170pw includes power, internet, landline, shared tv. Share with one other. Available Friday 11th Nov.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
High inflation and difficulty finding staff has hit business confidence in North Canterbury.
The latest North Canterbury Business Opinion Survey, released by Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC), shows local business confidence has slumped to net -12% … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
High inflation and difficulty finding staff has hit business confidence in North Canterbury.
The latest North Canterbury Business Opinion Survey, released by Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC), shows local business confidence has slumped to net -12% optimism.
While this figure compares well to the national statistics of net -42% optimism, it is a notable decrease from the last survey in April, which showed a net +4% optimism.
ENC business support manager Miles Dalton said the slump in confidence was no surprise.
‘‘It is definitely tough times in North Canterbury at the moment with almost all indicators showing the difficulties businesses are experiencing.
‘‘North Canterbury does appear to be cushioned from the worst of world-wide influences, with our results more positive than New Zealand as a whole.
‘‘And New Zealand appears to be coping better than most of the world.’’
Dalton puts it down to the strength of the local agriculture and construction sectors and less reliance on international tourism.
But the increasing cost of doing business is having an effect on businesses in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
Eighty per cent of survey respondents recorded an increase in business costs over the last six months, with 80% also seeing rises in the six months before that.
Dalton said these increases were only partly reflected at the till.
‘‘North Canterbury businesses are feeling the pressure of growing inflation.
‘‘This is only partially reflected in selling prices, indicating businesses are wearing a lot of this cost in order to keep their prices competitive.
‘‘As a result, businesses are seeing decreasing profit levels.’’
Profitability has dropped 21% in North Canterbury in the last six months, despite an increase in sales, while 30% of businesses expect further profit decreases in the coming half-year.
Finding staff continues to be a headache for local businesses, with statistics showing it is harder to find staff now than at any other time since the survey began in 2013.
‘‘Businesses are reporting it is harder to find both skilled and unskilled staff than ever before,’’ Dalton said.
‘‘The main reason is simply that there is a supply shortage of suitable applicants. The current immigration policy settings and unaffordable wage rates new staff are expecting are also adding to staffing issues.’’
Despite these difficulties, the number of people employed in North Canterbury continued to grow this year, with net 13% of employers reporting an increase in staff numbers.
The North Canterbury Business Opinion Survey is compiled by Enterprise North Canterbury, the economic development arm of the Waimakariri and Hurunui district councils, every six months. To view the full survey visit: enterprisenorthcanterbury.co.nz/invest/surveys-and-reports.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
North Canterbury’s three councils have no plans to introduce fluoride into drinking supplies.
The issue of fluoridation has been hotting up around the country since the passing of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Act 2021.
The new … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
North Canterbury’s three councils have no plans to introduce fluoride into drinking supplies.
The issue of fluoridation has been hotting up around the country since the passing of the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Act 2021.
The new legislation gives the director-general of health the power to direct councils to fluoridate drinking water supplies, but no directive has been issued to the Kaikōura, Hurunui or Waimakariri councils so far.
All three councils said it was unlikely any fluoridation will be introduced before July 2024, when it is proposed the new Three Waters entities would become operative.
Former director-general of health Dr Ashley Bloomfield wrote to councils in December last year to confirm fluoridation of supplies serving more than 500 people would be required under the Act.
Information on the costs and timeframes for introducing fluoridation was requested and directives were subsequently issued to several councils.
But no directives have been received by the three North Canterbury councils to date.
A Kaikōura District Council spokesperson said fluoridation would only apply to the urban supply, as the other schemes served less than 250 people each.
“The council does not have any provision for capital or operational costs of fluoridation in our current long term or annual plans.
“Our understanding is there will be no requirements for Kaikōura District Council ahead of the current proposed creation of the regional three waters entities in July 2024.”
It was estimated it would cost $150,000 to upgrade the Kaikōura urban supply and $20,000 per year in operating costs.
The total annual operating cost for all eight of Kaikōura’s drinking water supplies was around $700,000, so introducing fluoridation would have a major impact on rates if no national funding was available.
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the council had not discussed the issue nor formed “a view” on fluoridation.
“If officers were asked, we would put together a paper to discuss the pros and cons.
“It [fluoridation] has been a very difficult issue for local government in the past.”
Mayor Marie Black feared fluoridation could become yet another “unfunded mandate”, with central government “imposing its will” and leaving ratepayers to bear the cost.
A Waimakariri District Council spokesperson said there was no desire to introduce fluoridation into Waimakariri’s water supplies.
“We have not received any such directive, and don’t know if or when the next batch of councils will be instructed to install fluoridation equipment.
“We don’t fluoridate any supplies but if and when we get a directive to do so, there will still be a long lead in time to allow us to budget for this work and construct the necessary upgrades.”
*Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Hiya, does anyone know of any robberies in Rangiora township that have happened recently? Only asking as I have had a questionable interaction with someone.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Public feedback on proposed planning rules and the Ohoka private plan change application is keeping Waimakariri council staff busy.
Staff say they have received more submissions than expected.
The new Waimakariri District Plan was notified last year,… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Public feedback on proposed planning rules and the Ohoka private plan change application is keeping Waimakariri council staff busy.
Staff say they have received more submissions than expected.
The new Waimakariri District Plan was notified last year, but the council was required to notify two variations in August for housing intensification and financial contributions.
This followed the passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021 in December.
This directed the council to adopt medium density housing standards for the district’s main urban areas.
Submissions closed last month.
Staff are compiling a summary of submissions, including summaries of submissions on the two variations, and were due to email submitters by the end of this month.
The council will likely call for further submissions next month.
Staff are also busy processing around 630 submissions for the proposed Ohoka private plan change (Plan Change 31) by Rolleston Industrial Developments Ltd.
The developer is proposing to build an 850 house sub-division and a commercial area next to the small, rural village of Ohoka, near Rangiora.
The next step will be to notify a prepared summary of submissions and then allow a further 10 days for submissions.
‘‘This is a change to the existing operative plan.
‘‘The summary of submissions on this private plan change are notified separately,’’ a council spokesperson said.
An independent commissioner(s) will hear the application, but it will be some time before commissioners are appointed, the spokesperson said.
‘‘Until we are aware of the full range of submitters and further submitters, the council cannot engage commissioners as they will need to be in a position to fully consider any conflicts of interest that may arise.’’
The implications of the recently announced National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land are also being considered.
The new NPS requires developers to demonstrate land they wish to develop does not contain ‘‘highly productive soil’’.
‘‘Given this is a relatively recent National Policy Statement we have not yet considered a view on how this may impact both the District Plan Review and Plan Change 31,’’ the council spokesperson said.
■ Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A growing need in the community for food parcels is ‘‘deeply concerning’’, but not surprising, says Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson.
The Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust’s Kaiapoi food bank has given out 1585 food parcels … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A growing need in the community for food parcels is ‘‘deeply concerning’’, but not surprising, says Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson.
The Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust’s Kaiapoi food bank has given out 1585 food parcels so far this year, compared to last year’s total of 548.
‘‘It shows how tough it is for families and it is not just those on low wages, it is getting into the medium income earners as well,’’ Atkinson said.
‘‘Inflation is so high and prices are ridiculous, so the country needs to take stock of where it is.
‘‘Unfortunately it has been bubbling away for quite a while, as wages haven’t been keeping up with inflation, but there is no easy solution.’’
Atkinson said the region’s welfare teams were working hard behind the scenes to support families in need, but they urgently needed help.
The Kaiapoi food bank is run by Kaiapoi Community Support, a division of Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust, and is housed in the Waimakariri District Council-owned Kaiapoi Community Centre.
Trust manager Deirdre Ryan said her organisation had been facing funding gaps as it struggled to meet a growing need in the community.
While the trust has government contracts to pay wages and run programmes such as Mana Ake, which works in local primary schools, and has support from the Waimakariri and Hurunui councils, it relies on community support.
‘‘We have no government contract for the food bank and all our operational stuff like cars and computers we have to fundraise for.
‘‘But some of the groups and businesses who fundraise for us haven’t been able to in the last two years due to Covid.’’
As the trust looks ahead to Christmas, it is looking to the community for support as it looks to provide its annual Christmas giving programme to support families in need.
Kaiapoi New World has stepped up to offer up to $2500 of matched funding for donations to support the food bank.
The trust has also launched a new service to support parents of secondary school students.
‘‘Parents can get free advice and support to help with wellbeing,’’ Ryan said.
‘‘It could be concerns about sleeping, eating, self-harm, anxiety, gambling, alcohol, grief, loss or change and we can give advice on how to navigate mental health services.’’
Parents can contact Wellbeing on 03 310 6375 to make an appointment either in person or by video call.
The trust supports families throughout the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
■ The 4th annual Kaiapoi River Wellbeing Walk is being held on Saturday, November 12, meeting at the Kaiapoi Food Forest at 10am.
The event is being held to raise awareness and funds to support Community Wellbeing North Canterbury. Go to Walk for the Planet on Facebook for more information.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Personalise your tree this year with adorable homemade woodland characters. Use Resene testpots to create these four cuties. Find out how to create your own.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s council has lost its gender balance.
Three years ago Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon hailed the gender balance, when he was joined by five men and five women around the council table after the October 2019 election.
But when the mayor … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s council has lost its gender balance.
Three years ago Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon hailed the gender balance, when he was joined by five men and five women around the council table after the October 2019 election.
But when the mayor was sworn in for his second term last Thursday, October 27, he was joined by eight men and just two women.
The change of personnel follows the retirement of Kirstyn Barnett and Wendy Doody, while Sandra Stewart lost her seat in the election on October 8.
The trio have been replaced by three men - Jason Goldsworthy, Tim Fulton and Brent Cairns.
At 29, Goldsworthy, of Rangiora, is now the youngest councillor around the table.
He is fresh from a term on the Rangiora-Ashley Community Board.
The new councillor admits it will be tough juggling his new role around a young family, working at Rangiora New World and his volunteering.
‘‘It is particularly difficult for people in my demographic to get involved in local politics, juggling a mortgage, children and a career.
‘‘I will be having an interesting chat with my manager over the next few weeks.’’
Outside of work, Goldsworthy is married to Amber, has a 1-year-old daughter Manawa, is a firefighter with the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade and a St John youth leader.
Tim Fulton was born and bred in the Oxford area and is a familiar face as a rural journalist.
‘‘I am representing a large rural ward and my goals will be focusing on land and water management and making sure we are preserving our natural assets.’’
He plans to ‘‘sit, look and listen’’ in the coming weeks as he becomes familiar with his new role.
‘‘I’m pleased I ran and it was great to get a result, but now is the time to establish those relationships.’’
Kaiapoi resident Cairns was elected to council after serving on the Kaiapoi-Woodend Community Board.
He is a familiar face in the community with his volunteer work, including playing an integral role in establishing the Kaiapoi Food Forest.
‘‘I look at the community groups that I am already involved with, so my time with the council over the next three years will be all about creating safer, connected communities and making this district a great place to live.’’
Cairns expects his new role will be a fast learning curve.
‘‘I am a joiner by trade, so I am a very practical person.
‘‘I will see an end goal and then I break it down and work out what I need to do.’’
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Amalgamation and funding loom large as North Canterbury’s three councils consider local government reform proposals.
An independent panel, chaired by former Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer, has come up with 29 draft … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Amalgamation and funding loom large as North Canterbury’s three councils consider local government reform proposals.
An independent panel, chaired by former Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer, has come up with 29 draft recommendations and a number of questions .
Among the proposals are scenarios for the future structure of local government, including moving to a unitary authority model, with local community boards to ensure some local representation.
A population of no less than 70,000 would be necessary to be sustainable, the report says, meaning under this scenario the Waimakariri District Council could survive, but Hurunui and Kaikōura would not.
Other scenarios included local councils and mayors continuing to operate under either a regional council and mayor, or a combined authority with an elected mayor and representatives from the local councils.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said the scenario had an all too familiar ring to it.
‘‘I can’t help but see a very similar situation to after the [2016] earthquake when they said that we were history.
‘‘But we proved them wrong and now we are in a better position than we have ever been.
‘‘We have done it with a lot of work and a lot less money than the officials said we needed to spend.’’
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said it ‘‘would be a very sad day’’ if local representation was lost.
‘‘Having a sense of belonging and a place of belonging is important to people, but when you marginalise people because they don’t have the numbers, they can lose that.’’
The panel was set up 18 months ago by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
Suggested changes include allowing 16-year-olds to vote, Mana Whenua appointees potentially sitting alongside elected Māori ward councillors, moving all councils to the Single Transferable Vote system, four-year terms and more money for councillors.
The report also addresses ‘‘unfunded mandates’’, where central government passes on responsibilities to local government such as liquor licensing and building regulations without the necessary funding.
Black said there were no surprises in the report’s core principles, but ‘‘the devil will be in the detail’’.
‘‘I support local government as the best place to serve local communities, but when there is no funding to train staff or implement new regulations, it places the burden on ratepayers.
‘‘If we can pressure government to provide the funding, then we can strengthen local democracy.’’
She supports Mana Whenua representation, but it ‘‘needs to be authentic’’ to the local community.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said several recommendations were ‘‘worthy of further investigation’’.
‘‘It would have been nice to see more of a focus on why the recommendations are important and how they will enhance local decision making.’’
Waimakariri District Council acting chief executive Jeff Millward said he welcomed the attention given to ‘‘unfunded mandates’’ and Mana Whenua representation.
The council considered the question of a Māori ward in last year’s representation review, but found no appetite for change.
‘‘We think we have a good relationship with Ngāi Tūāhuriri and it seems to work well,’’ Millward said.
Palmer said local government would be strengthened by being able to take a te ao Māori approach to local issues.
But decisions around the number of appointees should be left up to councils, rather than legislation.
‘‘We think it’s a more nuanced conversation than just ‘one person, one vote’.’’
Submissions on the draft report close on February 28, with the final report due to be delivered to the minister by June next year.
■ Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
There's a fine line between being helpful and minding your own business.
Hi, we're not in area that currently gets deliveries (I've been checking on and off for 5 years - it's still not happened). I'm looking for somewhere we could get a weekly delivery done too.
Ohoka Gas used to accept them but is no longer able too. Is there anywhere else in … View moreHi, we're not in area that currently gets deliveries (I've been checking on and off for 5 years - it's still not happened). I'm looking for somewhere we could get a weekly delivery done too.
Ohoka Gas used to accept them but is no longer able too. Is there anywhere else in the area that would get the delivery? we can get it picked up asap on the Monday morning.
Scape, Christchurch's public arts festival, kicks off this Saturday. It's free to view and aims to revolutionise the city's open spaces.
ScreenSouth in Christchurch went all out to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and highlight the BreastScreen Aotearoa national breast screening programme.
A pink-themed morning tea and fancy dress event was topped off with the Art Your Bra competition, shining a light on some of … View moreScreenSouth in Christchurch went all out to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and highlight the BreastScreen Aotearoa national breast screening programme.
A pink-themed morning tea and fancy dress event was topped off with the Art Your Bra competition, shining a light on some of the team's creative talents.
The cleverly designed bras - which were given names like Treasure Your Chest, Candleabra, and Spooky Boobs - transformed the Papanui Rd office into a gallery of stunning bra art.
Jennie Corrin’s Succulent Breasts - a creation using straw cups, real succulent plants and a hint of Halloween - took out the top 3-D prize, while Jayne Swainson's Iridescent Intimates - an intricately hand drawn and coloured design - won the 2-D category.
Corrin, who works in the call centre team, talks with women to let them know about the free national breast screening programme, help them to enrol in the programme and arrange a mammogram appointment time.
Swainson works with general practice teams across Christchurch to help them invite eligible women to book their three-yearly cervical screen.
More than 650 women die of breast cancer in Aotearoa each year.
“Our team want to raise awareness about the most common cancer for women in Aotearoa” ScreenSouth general manager Louise McCarthy said.
“We especially want to highlight that every year over 400 wāhine Māori are diagnosed with breast cancer and early detection through screening
mammograms offers the best protection”.
Women aged 45 to 69 years can call 0800 270 200 or visit timetoscreen.nz/breast-screening to book a mammogram.
ScreenSouth, based in Waitaha/Canterbury, is contracted by Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand for the provision of breast screening services in the Te Waipounamu/South Island region, cervical screening regional coordination in the Waitaha/Canterbury and South Canterbury regions and bowel screening outreach in Waitaha.
Photo: Peter Meecham/Stuff
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