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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Support is being offered to Waimakariri’s lifestyle block owners to meet their environmental commitments.
The Waimakariri Zone Committee, in partnership with Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council, has developed a resource to … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Support is being offered to Waimakariri’s lifestyle block owners to meet their environmental commitments.
The Waimakariri Zone Committee, in partnership with Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council, has developed a resource to support the growing number of lifestyle block owners.
The Waimakariri district has more than 6500 lifestyle blocks, which is thought to be one of the highest number in the country.
Zone committee chairperson Carolyne Latham says it was found lifestylers often fell under the radar, during the process of developing the Waimakariri zone implementation plan in 2018, which became Plan Change 7 to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.
"We know that they want to be doing their bit for the environment, but sometimes it is difficult to know where to start."
Collectively, lifestyle blocks could have a significant impact on our environment as they typically had more people and infrastructure on a smaller land area.
The zone committee’s lifestyle block working group has produced a new resource called Top Ten Tips for Lifestylers.
"This resource condenses all the information available into the most important areas where improvements will make a difference," Latham says.
"It was surprisingly difficult to put it together because, while there is a lot of information out there on good management practice, we needed to look at it from a lifestyle perspective.
"Often they don’t have to do much, sometimes it might just be putting things in a different place, like moving fences or moving troughs."
Not all lifestyle blocks were the same, she says. Some were like mini farms, some were extended sections, some had sheds for storing vintage cars or machinery and others had businesses run out of them.
The tips included protecting waterways, understanding your land, taking care of plants and animals, monitoring septic tanks, managing fertiliser and manure, and being responsible with rubbish disposal.
Advice is also available from the New Zealand Landcare Trust, the Waimakariri Biodiversity Trust, Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council. Latham said the zone committee was working with the councils to launch a website with the top 10 tips, and a lifestyle workshop was in the pipeline.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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I am looking for edible chestnuts in the Rangiora are. Does anyone know where I can buy some ?? Please phone or message me on 021 1390672. Thanks, Beatrice x
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Now is an important time to have a say about Canterbury’s future, says Environment Canterbury councillor Grant Edge.
The North Canterbury councillor is encouraging Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura residents to share their views as the regional … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Now is an important time to have a say about Canterbury’s future, says Environment Canterbury councillor Grant Edge.
The North Canterbury councillor is encouraging Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura residents to share their views as the regional council begins a review of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (RPS).
The RPS is expected to be notified by December next year, and Environment Canterbury is seeking public feedback.
It will ultimately form part of an Integrated Plan for Canterbury, being merged with the Coastal Environment Plan and the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.
"The whole integrated planning process is quite exciting," Edge says.
"And it is coming about at a time of new legislation with the RMA (Resource Management Act) reforms."
Merging the three plans into one would simplify the process and "give people more certainty for land use", he said.
The RPS set the framework for local councils when preparing District Plans.
Under the proposed RMA reform legislation, District Plans may soon be replaced by Regional Plans, making it important local voices were heard, he says.
"We seem to duplicate things a lot, so I’m hoping in the end it will lead to the regional council, district councils and the government working more closely together.
"With climate change impacts and adaptation, a new way of funding is needed within the regional space, because it will become unaffordable through rates alone.
"So the best way is having government around the table and listening, with local people contributing."
The Greater Christchurch Partnership provides an example of how this could work, with local and central government, and treaty partners sitting around the table and negotiating to find a consensus.
Edge praised the Hurunui District Council for "forward thinking" in developing a coastal adaptation plan in partnership with the Amberley Beach community.
It is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
"We recently had the hottest day on average, two days in a row, for the planet," he said.
"Eventually we are going to get to the point where we are going to have to act quickly."
The RPS engagement is focusing on six topics including water, land, climate change, air, the coast and the built environment.
Environment Canterbury developed its first RPS in the 1990s and it was last reviewed in 2013.
"I encourage people to really get involved in tackling these environmental issues," Edge said.
"Because once these things are formed, it will shape the way we act and protect our environment for years to come."
Feedback closes on August 27 and can be made at ecan.govt.nz/ourfuture or call 0800 326636.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
The government's Road to Zero project seeks to set speed limits at 30kph in suburban streets across New Zealand. Do you think this is a good idea?
Hi Neighbours
If anyone has a large whiteboard they no longer need please let me know as I would like to buy one or two. Must be in good condition please. Either message or phone me.
Thank you 😊
Toni
021 769 623
Reconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown … View moreReconnect with the simple things, slow down and discover the quiet beauty of our nature in the cooler months. Be refreshed and reinvigorated by walking the trails in our green hills, indulge in some boutique retail therapy and be warmed by the welcome from our locals, sharing their homegrown creativity and hospitality.
Soak in our thermal springs, be inspired by our artists and artisans, breathe in the scent of our great outdoors or savour our homegrown flavours. However you do it, come and winter our way.
Hello neighbours! Want to help put a big smile on little faces? Buy any red testpot (60 mL) from your local Resene owned ColorShop between 13-31 July 2023 and Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids.
The more red testpots you buy, the more will be donated!
Countdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).
What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date … View moreCountdown is recalling certain batches of its Woolworths brand Pickled Onions as the product may contain foreign matter (glass).
What you need to know:
- The product is sold at Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores throughout New Zealand.
- The affected product has the Best Before date of 23/11/2024, 24/11/2024 and 25/11/2024
- If you have purchased this product, do not consume. You can return the product to this store for a full refund.
You can see past product recalls here.
There's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every … View moreThere's still time to submit your recipe to win the September issue of NZ Gardener! Every month, we run a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for spring salad recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by July 23, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the September issue of NZ Gardener.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A mahinga kai project in Kaiapoi has been labelled as an "outstanding" community initiative. Mahinga kai is traditional Māori food gathering as well as activities that surround that.
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson says the Huria … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A mahinga kai project in Kaiapoi has been labelled as an "outstanding" community initiative. Mahinga kai is traditional Māori food gathering as well as activities that surround that.
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson says the Huria Reserve heritage and mahinga kai area, to the south of Kaiapoi River, was an important part of the town’s regeneration after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
"This is an outstanding project and it has come out at the right cost all the way through," he said.
"It is a very important part of Kaiapoi’s regeneration and it needs to be completed."
The project is a collaboration between the Waimakariri District Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and came out of the Kaiapoi residential red zone regeneration plan developed after the earthquakes.
The council has completed physical implementation works over the last two years and has now entered into a formal agreement with Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, which will manage the $1.8 million project.
The trust is a partnership between the council, the Rūnanga and the wider community to manage the district's coastal park.
Funding of $390,000 will now be transferred to the trust, from the 2023-24 annual plan.
It was approved at last week’s council meeting, despite a proposal from councillor Paul Williams to defer it due to the economic situation.
He said the trust should be looking for outside funding, like the Honda Forest, which has been developed to the north of Kaiapoi River.
Community and recreation general manager Chris Brown said the council had consulted extensively with the community as part of the regeneration plan and the Long Term Plan process.
"We said to the community we would deliver this project and we intend to deliver it."
Councillor Al Blackie, who is also a Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust trustee, said the trust intended to seek commercial support and planned to engage with schools and community organisations.
Mayor Dan Gordon said he was pleased to see the project come to fruition.
"The trust will continue to develop this space, which will celebrate traditional Māori customs and promote learning and recreation activity."
Gordon said the council had completed several regeneration projects over the last six years, including sports fields, a BMX track, a dog park, and had redeveloped the marine precinct and the river banks.
A community hub, bringing together organisations such as Satisfy Food Rescue and the Kaiapoi Menz Shed, was also being developed across the road from Huria Reserve.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
A new era of living for over 50’s has arrived at Ravenswood, Woodend! Freedom Lifestyle Villages has officially opened the doors to seven show homes.
Come and explore the many advantages of residing in a Freedom Lifestyle Village while learning about the remarkable benefits our unique capital… View moreA new era of living for over 50’s has arrived at Ravenswood, Woodend! Freedom Lifestyle Villages has officially opened the doors to seven show homes.
Come and explore the many advantages of residing in a Freedom Lifestyle Village while learning about the remarkable benefits our unique capital gain’s structure can provide for you.
Stage 1A – Selling Now! Starting from $345,000
Show Homes Open 7 Days A Week
Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm
Sat-Sun 11 am-3 pm
Visit us at 30 Bob Robertson Drive, Woodend
www.youtube.com...
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A project to monitor native birds on the Ashley Rakahuri River has received a funding boost from the Waimakariri Zone Committee.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group will receive $9000 from the zone committee’s 2023-24 action plan budget to assist with… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A project to monitor native birds on the Ashley Rakahuri River has received a funding boost from the Waimakariri Zone Committee.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group will receive $9000 from the zone committee’s 2023-24 action plan budget to assist with the costs of its shorebird monitoring.
The group extended its monitoring efforts last year, engaging a postgraduate student from the University of Canterbury to undertake the work.
The project monitored banded dotterel/turiwhatu, pied stilt (poaka), black-fronted and white-fronted tern/tarapirohe and tara, South Island pied oystercatcher/tōrea and black-billed and black-backed gull/tarāpuka and karoro.
Zone committee chairperson Carolyne Latham said the rivercare group had been working to protect native birds on the river and estuary for several years.
"You have to admire them for getting on with the work," she said.
"We are pleased to be contributing to the extension of that work which will expand the data that we have on the birds."
The rivercare group has been working with Eleanor Gunby, who is studying for a masters of science degree under the supervision of Professor Jim Briskie.
The project was the first to receive funding for the new financial year.
The funding has increased from $50,000 to $75,000 this year and Latham said the committee was keen to hear from other groups working on projects to enhance the environment and water ways.
"We want to hit the ground running this year and so we encourage groups to get in contact with the zone committee if they have a project."
She said the action plan budget funding was similar to the "immediate steps" funding, which zone committees had allocated in the past, but it had greater flexibility.
"We have more scope to support a wider range of projects and an example of this is a water monitoring project by the Waimakariri Landcare Trust, which wouldn’t have qualified under the immediate steps funding. Identifying where groundwater and surface water monitoring is happening in the zone is something we have been talking about at the zone committee for a while.
"We are delighted the trust is proceeding with the project, which will also trial nitrate testing in private wells."
The Waimakariri Landcare Trust’s monitoring project received $26,400 out of the $50,000 available in the zone committee’s 2022-23 action plan budget.
The Waimakariri Zone Committee is a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Photo: Banded dotterels (pohowera) pictured on on the the Ashley-Rakahuri River. Photo supplied by Grant Davey of the Ashley-Rakahuri Rivercare Group
Winter will be over before we know it now is a great time to book in your Exterior Painting Projects for the upcoming spring and summer.
Winter is also a great time to have any Interior projects done.
Get in touch with Andy and the friendly team at Enviro Painters for any of your painting and … View moreWinter will be over before we know it now is a great time to book in your Exterior Painting Projects for the upcoming spring and summer.
Winter is also a great time to have any Interior projects done.
Get in touch with Andy and the friendly team at Enviro Painters for any of your painting and decorating projects
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