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From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney is hailing a return to ‘‘normality’’.
After three years of Covid-19 disruption, schools are able to get back to doing the things they used to do - like field trips, school camps, sports, school … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney is hailing a return to ‘‘normality’’.
After three years of Covid-19 disruption, schools are able to get back to doing the things they used to do - like field trips, school camps, sports, school assemblies and parent-teacher interviews.
‘‘We are re-focusing away from wellbeing and getting back into teaching and learning,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘For three years we were focused on whether teachers were well enough to come to school and whether students were well enough to learn.
‘‘We were literally sitting in school and thinking, ‘crikey, are we going to be able to open tomorrow’.’’
The ever present threat of staff and student illness and government interventions now seemed to be in the past, he said.
Participation numbers in sport was high and Rangiora Pasefika students had joined forces with Kaiapoi High School to compete in Polyfest.
Rangiora High School now had 50 international students from seven countries, with its international programme back in full swing.
‘‘I’m not saying Covid has gone, but we are changing the way we deal with it,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘And we are seeing the change with our young people.
‘‘They are far more optimistic, which is important because they have so much going on in their lives like social media and facing climate change.
‘‘If you ask the kids what they want, it is sports tournaments, school balls and stage competitions like ShowQuest and the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.’’
All of these things are back in 2023, while a school production was also planned.
For the vast majority of young people, school was the only time they got to experience those things, Kearney said.
The school was also busy conducting a review of its teaching and learning and its large open learning space, the Rakahuri building.
Kearney said a report was due to come out at the end of the term.
A second review was being conducted of the school farm, with a stocktake of the farm being completed this term.
The stocktake would help to inform some recommendations of what the farm could become in the future.
Kearney said the farm had shearing sheds which were not being used for shearing, so it opened up the possibility of offering a shearing course.
Alternatively, the school may decide not to have animals on the farm.
‘‘We are facing some pressure as residential housing is starting to close in on us and people buying properties on our fence line may not want to go to sleep at night to the noise of farm animals.
"But I will not be the principal who sells the farm.’’
Can anybody who has lost a loved one in the UK ,where they able to watch the funeral ?Talking to somebody in the UK did not think they streamed funerals.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s councillors have vented their frustration at the speed of implementing new smoking and vaping legislation.
Councillors agreed to make a submission on proposals for the new smoked tobacco regulatory regime at Tuesday’s (March 7) council… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s councillors have vented their frustration at the speed of implementing new smoking and vaping legislation.
Councillors agreed to make a submission on proposals for the new smoked tobacco regulatory regime at Tuesday’s (March 7) council meeting.
But expressed frustration at the timeframe for submissions, which prevented the council from consulting with the community.
Councils have until March 15 to submit on proposals for implementing the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act, which came into force in January.
The legislation is set to make sweeping changes, including reducing the number of retail stores selling tobacco from 6000 to 600 nationwide.
This would mean reducing from 30 to seven tobacco retailers in Waimakariri’s urban areas, with a handful of other retailers in ‘‘rural areas’’.
But the legislation did not restrict the number of outlets selling vape products.
Several councillors expressed concern about how this would impact on small businesses, already struggling in the present economic climate.
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson expressed his dismay at a policy ‘‘picking six winners and losers’’.
He suggested the retailers able to sell cigarettes would reap the benefits, while others would struggle.
But he noted the long term impact of banning smoking in pubs had been positive.
‘‘When they stopped smoking in hotels they said they were all going to close, but how many hotels have we got now?’’
Councillor Tim Fulton said councillors ‘‘owe it to our kids’’ to make a submission.
He suggested a ‘‘sinking lid policy’’ on tobacco retailers, similar to reducing gaming machines, would be fairer than a mandatory reduction in retailers.
Councillor Philip Redmond said it was ‘‘a waste of time’’ reducing the number of tobacco retailers.
‘‘You either have it or you don’t.
‘‘It is like drink driving, it has taken a long time for people to finally get the message.’’
Councillor Niki Mealings said smokefree legislation had been in the pipeline for decades.
‘‘If your business is dependent on selling cigarettes to survive, then you need to relook at your business model because you’ve had 23 years to prepare for this.’’
But she was concerned about the lack of regulation around vaping and particularly the targeting of young people who had no history of smoking tobacco.
‘‘Social service agencies are asking what are councils doing about vape shops and the answer is nothing because we don’t have the tools, so we need to do something about it.’’
She noted the legislation did have clauses to make vape products less attractive.
Redmond said vaping was the ‘‘elephant in the room’’, as it needed to be restricted and regulated.
‘‘The government needs to protect our youth because it has already become trendy.’’
Atkinson said while the government had made it illegal to sell vape to under-18s, ‘‘who is enforcing it?’’
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
We're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as … View moreWe're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as International Women's Day (this Wednesday) by sharing some of the lesser-known, inspiring women who've played a part in New Zealand's history.
Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column of the local paper - write NFP if you wish your comments to be excluded.
Refresh your outdoor spaces with Resene Lumbersider and Resene Walk-on with these easy ideas.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Spraying is a ‘‘necessary’’ form of weed control, council staff say.
Targeted spraying is necessary to support braided rivers and to protect water ways and roadsides from invasive species, the staff said.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) river … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Spraying is a ‘‘necessary’’ form of weed control, council staff say.
Targeted spraying is necessary to support braided rivers and to protect water ways and roadsides from invasive species, the staff said.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) river engineer Sam Kidner and Waimakariri District Council water environment advisor Angela Burton provided updates on their respective council’s spraying programmes at Monday’s Waimakariri Zone Committee meeting.
Kidner said targeted spraying of weeds helped Canterbury’s braided rivers to perform their natural functions, which improved flood protection.
ECan used glyphosate and herbicides to target weeds such as ivy, hops, lupins, gorse, broom and willows.
‘‘Lupins are less of a problem than gorse and broom or willows.
‘‘It is a matter of scale,’’ Kidner said.
‘‘If it is starting to push water in different directions then we need to respond.’’
A build-up of willows on an island, could prevent the river from braiding and, when in flood, it could divert water to riverbanks, causing erosion.
Responding to a question from the floor, Kidner says ECan has conducted trials using bulldozers as an alternative, but found it was not cost-effective and the bulldozers were not able to access all areas.
Kidner says by clearing the ‘‘fairways’’ in rivers, council staff could then manage weeds through spot spraying to allow native species to thrive.
Birds had returned to nest in areas where ECan had successfully completed spraying programmes, he said.
Sometimes flooding could clean up the rivers, but it was difficult to predict when floods would occur.
ECan also sprayed river berms and stopbanks to stop weeds getting out of control.
But he says the council is facing a constant battle.
‘‘Unfortunately not everyone does biosecurity checks on their vehicles, so we could get the rivers looking pristine, but seeds can be spread by vehicles and by other means, so it is still going to be an ongoing problem.’’
Burton says the Waimakariri District Council conducted spraying for roadside maintenance, planting maintenance and around waterways, drainage and water races.
But ‘‘non-chemical methods’’ were preferred, especially for drains.
Property owners could apply to have their street frontage added to the ‘‘no spray register’’.
‘‘Landowners are actively encouraged to not use spray on the land near gutters, but unfortunately it is not something we can enforce.’’
Burton included a report prepared by the Canterbury Waterway Rehabilitation Experiment (CAREX), a University of Canterbury initiative, in her presentation.
The report considered the ecological consequences of using glyphosate to control aquatic weeds in lowland waterways near Rangiora.
It found the ‘‘species richness of invertebrates and fish are not affected by the use of glyphosate’’ in the water ways, but Burton acknowledges it is not a large enough sample size.
As glyphosate spraying has been used for a number of years, any species found in the sample waterways would have some resistance, meaning the study may need to be compared with waterways without a history of spraying before drawing any conclusions.
$3 each or 10 seedlings for $25. Available in Fernside. Message Stuart at 02108122820
Be in to Win 3 Easter Hampers
Enter our Easter colouring-competition for your chance to win a Easter Hamper full of goodies. Three to be won.
How to enter:
🍫 Follow the link to download the entry form:
bit.ly...
🍫 Drop your entry into the Bayleys office at 251 High Street, Rangiora
… View moreBe in to Win 3 Easter Hampers
Enter our Easter colouring-competition for your chance to win a Easter Hamper full of goodies. Three to be won.
How to enter:
🍫 Follow the link to download the entry form:
bit.ly...
🍫 Drop your entry into the Bayleys office at 251 High Street, Rangiora
🍫 Email your entry to vereana.wheatley@bayleys.co.nz
Winners will be announced on the Vereana Wheatley – Bayleys Canterbury Facebook page on Friday 31 March 2023.
Top 3 will be selected by our team from each age category.
All entries will receive a thank you letter in the post with an Easter treat.
Follow the link to download:
bit.ly...
T&C's apply.
North Canterbury’s mayors are backing a call by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) for more powers to be given to local leaders.
LGNZ says Cyclone Gabrielle has exposed the enormous challenges facing the regions and it wants a radical rethink of how public services are delivered.
Do you … View moreNorth Canterbury’s mayors are backing a call by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) for more powers to be given to local leaders.
LGNZ says Cyclone Gabrielle has exposed the enormous challenges facing the regions and it wants a radical rethink of how public services are delivered.
Do you think our mayors need more powers? Read the full story from local democracy reporter David Hill below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
------------
The Hurunui, Waimakariri and Kaikōura councils have made submissions to the draft future for local government report, which closed on February 28.
LGNZ president Stuart Crosby said councils were calling for a reboot of the relationship between central and local government.
He said New Zealand was one of the most centralised countries in the OECD, with 90% of taxation going to central government.
‘‘Cyclone Gabrielle has exposed many of the pressing issues that have been bubbling away over decades.’’
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said councils needed to be better resourced to allow local leaders to be more influential in a crisis.
‘‘There is nothing more comforting to local people than to see their local leaders and this action can work in tandem with regional/national support.
‘‘A local flavour should be the heart of the recovery plan with financial capital from central government and the ability to build back better through locally led actions.’’
Black said councils were well-placed to take a lead in tackling climate change and social issues, if the resourcing was there.
‘‘I see the need to resource councils to prepare for climate change and resourcing could come in a variety of ways, to fund the knowledge and consider options for adaptive planning.
‘‘Councils are well poised to be a stronger champions in the provision of social services, we understand the housing market but are often hampered by process to be influential to effect positive change.’’
The Hurunui District Council already funded health care services through Together Hurunui, while the Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust worked across both the Hurunui and Waimakariri districts, making use of local knowledge.
But these services relied on significant external funding to be effective.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said local authorities had a strong connection to their communities.
‘‘We believe this contributes to better localised place-making outcomes, genuine opportunities for citizen-led participatory democracy, and the provision of services on the ground that reflect the needs and aspirations of communities.’’
He said there was an opportunity for councils to take on more responsibility, in partnership with central government, rather than the move to more centralisation.
‘‘The anticipated impacts of climate change is one example of this, but this could also be extended to consider housing and healthcare.’’
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Since 1999, our residents and team members have raised more than $5.1 million for charities across New Zealand and Australia.
Supporting fellow pioneers isn’t new. It’s in our DNA. Learn more about becoming our charity partner for 2022/23.
A very big Thank You to Prue who has kindly donated 6 balls of wool that will be knitted up and sent to Ukraine. If anyone else has pure wool in Double Knit (DK) at least 2 balls of the same colour for the smaller baby set, 3 balls for the bigger sets, (jacket and matching hat), with one of them … View moreA very big Thank You to Prue who has kindly donated 6 balls of wool that will be knitted up and sent to Ukraine. If anyone else has pure wool in Double Knit (DK) at least 2 balls of the same colour for the smaller baby set, 3 balls for the bigger sets, (jacket and matching hat), with one of them having a ballband we would welcome them with open arms. Contact Marianne on 03 313 3003 or 0274494418. Thank you
Mountain Meadows Charitable Trust Pop Up Food Bank is CLOSED this Tuesday 7th March at WOODEND.
But OPEN Wednesday 8th March at Dudley Park RANGIORA 2:30 till 3:00.
You are welcome to attend and take a share of bakery and produce.
You can request an Emergency Food Parcel by registering online … View moreMountain Meadows Charitable Trust Pop Up Food Bank is CLOSED this Tuesday 7th March at WOODEND.
But OPEN Wednesday 8th March at Dudley Park RANGIORA 2:30 till 3:00.
You are welcome to attend and take a share of bakery and produce.
You can request an Emergency Food Parcel by registering online at www.livingchoices.nz...
From reporter Tatiana Gibbs:
What first started out as sharing a 1st XI rugby photo from the 80s, has turned into a project that’s documented a rural Canterbury school’s 127-year history.
It’s been three decades since Verdon Kelliher was a pupil at Amuri Area School in Culverden, and he… View moreFrom reporter Tatiana Gibbs:
What first started out as sharing a 1st XI rugby photo from the 80s, has turned into a project that’s documented a rural Canterbury school’s 127-year history.
It’s been three decades since Verdon Kelliher was a pupil at Amuri Area School in Culverden, and he has now created an alumni Facebook page for ex-pupils and teachers of the school to take a walk down memory lane.
In the six months since the page's creation, it’s collected more than 800 members and shared 8000 images of class photos and copies of annual school magazines and newsletters.
Kelliher, 54, who now lives in Auckland, said the page came about by accident, after sharing an old rugby photo to social media that jogged a few memories.
“There was a bunch of banter and chat about how awesome we were back in the day, and it brought people together, and I started chatting away to people I hadn't talked to in years,” he said.
The page was initially going to be “something small”, but after discovering the school was ticking over the 125-year mark, it became a project.
“It’s been really gratifying, not only myself connecting with schoolmates but seeing other people connect … like people that went to school together in the 60s. It’s amazing to watch them rekindle their friendships.”
The result is essentially a library of images that maps out the school's 127-year history. Two school photo businesses, Camera & Digital and Fotographix, gave a “massive effort” by going through old rolls of film and digging up historic images.
The Amuri Area School Alumni group also rummaged up all but three year’s copies of the school’s annual magazine, Amurian, since it started in the 60s.
The rural school caters for primary and secondary ages, and currently has a roll of about 350 students. The roll has almost tripled from when Kelliher was one of 130 students.
It’s an innovative and fitting way to celebrate the school’s tenure after Covid disrupted plans to celebrate the big 125th anniversary two years ago.
Principal Matt Barlow joined the school in the fourth term last year, and said it was a “cool initiative” to help reconnect those who may not have been able to attend an in-person reunion.
“It's great to be a part of a community like this, and it’s an active community. That’s why this group has really taken off [because] people have a real connection to the area and the history in the area,” Barlow said.
“It’s been quite cool to see.”
The page also had a spreadsheet detailing the different jobs alumni have landed all over the world, and Kelliher hoped current and future students were inspired by it.
Skyhawk pilot, trainer driver, tour guide, dairy farmer, librarian, speech-language therapist, are just some of the many roles past pupils have shared.
“I’ve come to really realise that going to Amuri was a big advantage for me, that allowed me to be open to a lot of different things, be diverse, well-rounded,” Kelliher said.
He hoped to continue growing the page for the next generation of pupils to join, and was working with Barlow to organise an in-person reunion later this year.
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