Waikuku & Waikuku Beach, Waikuku

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

804 days ago

Family Friendly Service and Discussion

Jeneane Hobby from Ashley Community Church Incorporated

Paul and Lesley Askin hold their family-friendly monthly service Sunday, 2 October, at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley. Remember to dress warmly, and go … View more
Paul and Lesley Askin hold their family-friendly monthly service Sunday, 2 October, at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley. Remember to dress warmly, and go before you come as there are no toilet facilities.

805 days ago

Staff recruitment remains a headache for Waimakariri council

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Finding staff continues to pose a headache for the Waimakariri District Council.

Reports presented at last week’s district planning and regulation committee revealed staff recruitment remains the number one challenge for the council’s planning, … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Finding staff continues to pose a headache for the Waimakariri District Council.

Reports presented at last week’s district planning and regulation committee revealed staff recruitment remains the number one challenge for the council’s planning, building and environmental services teams.

Planning manager Wendy Harris said there were several vacancies in the planning unit, including senior planner and compliance officer.

An additional graduate planner will be recruited to meet the increased workload.

Covid-19 and winter illness was also taking a toll, she said.

Consultants were being employed to help get through the workload in the meantime.

Harris said the council was continuing to process high resource consent numbers, with 96 issued in the first quarter and 115 in the second quarter.

While this was down on last year, it was well up on 2020.

Despite the challenges, she said 95.8% of consents were being processed with the statutory timeframes or had an agreed extension.

The new medium density residential standards, following the passing of the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2021, was causing some angst on social media.

The council was consulting on the new standards, after notifying variations to the proposed Waimakariri District Plan.

Building unit manager Warren Taylor said a tight market for staff had forced the unit to appoint less experienced staff and invest in training, which came at a cost.

The building unit processed 2213 consents over the 2021-22 financial year, including 849 consents for new houses, which was higher than expected.

The average processing time for all applications was 14 working days and 19 working days for new house consents.

About 10% of consents were granted outside the statutory 20 working days.

Taylor said there were a variety of reasons why consents took longer than 20 days to process.

Cr Kirstyn Barnett said while the records showed 90% of consents were being processed on time, ‘‘the customer experience might be quite different, so I’m always looking for that constant improvement’’.

Environmental services manager Billy Charlton said there were 17% less dog complaints for the 2021-22 financial year, compared to last year, despite the growing rate of dog ownership in the district.

There were 49 reported incidents of dogs rushing at people, a 63% increase, but there were fewer incidents of dogs attacking dogs and fewer barking dog complaints.

More than 13,000 dogs were registered for the year to June 2022, with 99.15% of dogs registered.

Charlton said 112 dog owners had received infringement notices for unregistered dogs.

805 days ago

Get super-duper fuel savings with Kora.

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Kora is the Kiwi fuel payment card that saves you 10c a litre every day at Mobil and Waitomo.… View more
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Find out more

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815 days ago

Craft market

Sonya from Rangiora

Hi Everyone, I am starting a craft co op in Fernside. Opening Swans Nest .I am hoping to have an open day on the 10th of September at 112 Swannanoa Road and would like to invite any like minded people to have their on market stall here on the day. Message me for info. Food and coffee also welcome … View moreHi Everyone, I am starting a craft co op in Fernside. Opening Swans Nest .I am hoping to have an open day on the 10th of September at 112 Swannanoa Road and would like to invite any like minded people to have their on market stall here on the day. Message me for info. Food and coffee also welcome but must have your own registration.

806 days ago

Waimakariri migrant family plants trees to give back to community

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Life in North Canterbury is a world away from growing up in post-revolution Iran.

Rohiyeh Faramarzi and her family have lived in Woodend for 20 years and wanted to give back to their adopted community by planting trees.

Working with the Waimakariri… View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Life in North Canterbury is a world away from growing up in post-revolution Iran.

Rohiyeh Faramarzi and her family have lived in Woodend for 20 years and wanted to give back to their adopted community by planting trees.

Working with the Waimakariri District Council’s greenspace team, Faramarzi was able to develop a planting project that led to a tree planting day at Rangiora’s Dudley Park last Saturday, August 27.

“With the support of the Waimakariri District Council, we have been able to create an ongoing dialogue about how we can contribute bycreating spaces in our parks where people and families can come and gather.”

Faramarzi fled her home country to escape her family’s persecution due to their Baha’i Faith.

“The persecution of the Baha’is affected the way Baha'i families and my family went about their lives.

“After the Iranian revolution, persecution intensified and Baha'is no longer had any civil rights or freedoms.

“Baha'is were arrested on false charges, land was confiscated, businesses were closed, and young Baha'is were banned from entering university.”

She moved to India where she met her husband, Shahriar Faramarzi, and after the birth of their first child they decided to move ‘‘toa smaller, quieter and more peaceful country’’.

In New Zealand, the couple’s two daughters have studied at university, completing law and engineering degrees – something Faramarzi was unable to do in Iran.

Their Baha’i Faith has always been important to them and teaches the importance of serving “communities to uplift them and make them better”.

Last year the couple decided to do something to mark 100 years since the passing of Abdu’l-Baha, the eldest son of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Baha’i Faith.

Faramarzi said she was inspired to think about the natural environment, leading to the tree planting project.

“Planting trees really comes from a desire to uplift and beautify our shared surroundings. Our environment reminds us how connected we are as a human family.

“We all benefit from a healthy, safe environment and we also have a responsibility to contribute to it.”

806 days ago

Paint a kid's balance bike

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rangiora

Update a balance bike with a colourful new look with Resene paints so that it can continue to be enjoyed for years to come!

Find out how to create your own.

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806 days ago

Winter grazing under scrutiny from the sky in Waimakariri

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

A flyover of Waimakariri farms has found that most farmers are following winter grazing rules.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) conducted a trial flyover of the district in an aeroplane last month to observe winter grazing.

Principal implementation … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

A flyover of Waimakariri farms has found that most farmers are following winter grazing rules.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) conducted a trial flyover of the district in an aeroplane last month to observe winter grazing.

Principal implementation adviser Sarah Heddell said those on the flight were pleased to see that farmers were well prepared.

Farmers were grazing strategically towards waterways, creating buffer zones, placing water troughs and feeders close to new breaks, avoiding paddocks with waterways and wetlands, and grazing with smaller mob sizes.

‘‘Overall, most farms we observed were meeting good management practice.

‘‘Fences were set back from waterways, stock were on the paddock not in the stream, and waterways were relatively clear.

‘‘Our Waimakariri land management adviser followed up with a couple of landowners who were identified as needing some extra support and their response has been positive.’’

The flight took place during the some of the wettest winter conditions Canterbury has ever seen, making for tough conditions for intensive winter grazing.

Heddell said surface flooding and waterlogged soils meant this was a tough time for farmers with calving and lambing under way.

‘‘All this rain has made it difficult to farm right now, and that reinforces the need for farmers to have an intensive winter grazing plan in place.’’

She said the council appreciated the help industry groups provided for the trial.

‘‘While we know these kinds of things can feel invasive, we believe flyovers can be a useful way to understand how farmers are approaching intensive winter grazing and where we can focus help, support and advice.’’

Staff would continue to work with industry groups throughout the region over the next year to help farmers plan for winter grazing.

No further intensive winter grazing flyovers were planned this year and staff were looking to refine the process before any future flyovers.

808 days ago

North Canterbury rugby team win Southbridge Shield for first time in four years

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

The Southbridge Shield – the symbol of supremacy in Canterbury Country representative rugby – is back on the northern side of the Waimakariri River.

North Canterbury beat Ellesmere 13-0 at Lincoln on Saturday in the first ‘Battle of the Bridge’ match for three years.

“There were … View more
The Southbridge Shield – the symbol of supremacy in Canterbury Country representative rugby – is back on the northern side of the Waimakariri River.

North Canterbury beat Ellesmere 13-0 at Lincoln on Saturday in the first ‘Battle of the Bridge’ match for three years.

“There were some pretty happy boys in the North Canterbury team,’’ head coach Matt Keane said.

“North Canterbury last won it in 2018 then lost it in 2019 and that was the last time it was played because of Covid.

“We were primed up for it last year but then the week before they stopped club rugby and we didn’t get the chance.’’

North Canterbury’s winning team at Lincoln included several players from the champion 2018 side, notably captain Josh Maynard, lock Willie Kerr and midfield back Mike Keane – the coach’s brother.

Maynard, the veteran Saracens No 8, received the maximum three points in the player of the match poll, with young Hurunui lock Flynn Crean getting two points, and Glenmark-Cheviot’s Mike Keane one.

Kerr, a Saracens loose forward for much of his career, packed down in the second row with Crean.

“We wanted to be quite mobile around the track,’’ coach Keane said. “The way scrummaging is today we didn’t think it was important to have that big tighthead lock, and we wanted to have two really great options in the lineout and use Willy’s experience.’’

North Canterbury now also have a clutch of talented young players, with Keane noting nine newcomers made debuts this season after 16 earned their first senior spurs in 2021.

He predicted bright futures for many of them, including Crean, who could go on to higher honours once he “has another 10 to 15 kilos on”.

“He’s got a massive ticker, and he’s already hard to put down [as a ball carrier].’’

Young Ashley wing Matt Couch, who is still eligible for the Colts under-21 grade, also impressed in all four senior outings this term.

The North Canterbury squad were able to channel the disappointment of having a proposed September tour of Japan postponed into the Southbridge Shield fixture.

Keane said they made a great start with tries to prop Rawiri Karena and Mike Keane for a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.

But Ellesmere applied more pressure at the breakdown in the middle stages, earning key penalties and restricting North Canterbury’s phases.

“But we got close in the last 20 two or three times,’’ Keane said. “They held us up on the line and we had a couple of dropped balls when we thought we had them.’’

Scott Allin kicked a penalty on the stroke of fulltime to extend the winning margin to 13 points.

Keane said it was encouraging to keep Ellesmere scoreless because North Canterbury’s defence – “we like to call it our attack without the ball’’ – had been disappointing in earlier matches against a Cantabrians XV and a Waitaha Canterbury Māori side.

The victory capped a memorable rugby year for North Canterbury with Glenmark-Cheviot beating Saracens in the first all-North Canterbury Combined Country club grand final.

Keane said North Canterbury rugby was working hard to close the gap “on the big boys in town’’ from the Christchurch Metro competition.

“And Ellesmere like to treat us like the little brother, so it’s nice to get them,’’ he quipped.

The North Canterbury representative team for the Southbridge Shield win over Ellesmere:
Harry Murray, Digby Heard, Matt Jensen, Mike Keane, Matt Couch, Corrigan Harnett, Jordie Gray, Josh Maynard (capt), Dan Brooker, Andrew Hull, Willie Kerr, Flynn Crean, Josh Duckworth, Louis James, Rawiri Karena. Reserves: Ryan Clark, Zach Andrews, Hayden O’Donnell, George Fox, Ben Gold, Matt Roberts, Scott Allin.

Other results:
North Canterbury teams won four of the other five grades against Ellesmere opposition.
North Canterbury Stags 36 Ellesmere 15.
Ellesmere Colts 33 North Canterbury 28.
North Canterbury 18s 22 Ellesmere 17.
North Canterbury 16s 22 Ellesmere 19.

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808 days ago

MacBook Air ( 11-inch, 2015 )

Stevie from Rangiora

Hi I’ve reduced the price $50.00 4/09
A1 Condition
120GB
The pink cover on the front comes off.
Watch a fab YouTube video of the laptop.
youtu.be...

Price: $380

808 days ago

Clock CD radio

Chris from Rangiora

Hi all my CD has stopped working in my clock radio.. can someone please recommend anyone who can fix these items please.
Thanks all regards Chrissy

808 days ago

Luxury Cruising Virtual Information Sessions

The Luxury Cruising Co.

Join Pat from the Luxury Cruising Co this September to discover a unique collection of destinations and packages!

Sessions

Europe Session Tuesday 6th September 11am River Cruising
Land Journeys, Rail Journeys, Private Jet Tours, Small Ship Cruising, Luxury Yacht Cruising.

Canada/Alaska … View more
Join Pat from the Luxury Cruising Co this September to discover a unique collection of destinations and packages!

Sessions

Europe Session Tuesday 6th September 11am River Cruising
Land Journeys, Rail Journeys, Private Jet Tours, Small Ship Cruising, Luxury Yacht Cruising.

Canada/Alaska Session on Thursday 8th September 11am
Canadian Rockies with Alaska Cruise, Eastern Canada with New England Cruise, Rockies with Rail, Rockies with Calgary Stampede

Australia on Tuesday 13th September 11am
Kimberly Small Ship Cruising, 4WD Touring, Tasmania, Luxury Wilderness Camps, Discover a wide range of options available.

Asia Session on Thursday 15th September 11am
Discover Touring and River Cruises available in Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan and South Korea

Luxury Cruising on Tuesday 20 September at 11am
An overview of Luxury Cruising Worldwide and expedition cruising in Antarctica and the Arctic

Click here to register your interest or contact 0800 214 9925
Visit https://luxurycruising.co.nz/
Register Now

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808 days ago

IPad Air2 128GB

Stevie from Rangiora

Hi good condition
Everything works

Price: $250

808 days ago

Kiwanis Retro Market

Alan from Kaiapoi

Retro Market by Kiwanis Club of North West Christchurch.

All proceeds to "The Champion Centre"
Saturday 1 October 2022
9:00 am - 1:00 pm
340 Avonhead Rd
Next to Burnside Bowling Club

Negotiable

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Retro Flyer.pdf Download View

809 days ago

New story walk for Kaiapoi

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Kaiapoi residents will get the chance to walk and talk next month.
After the success of a Matariki story walk in Rangiora, the Waimakariri District Council is going to create a new story walk in Kaiapoi’s Te Korotuaheka Reserve (Honda Forest).

The … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Kaiapoi residents will get the chance to walk and talk next month.
After the success of a Matariki story walk in Rangiora, the Waimakariri District Council is going to create a new story walk in Kaiapoi’s Te Korotuaheka Reserve (Honda Forest).

The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board last week approved the story walk, which will be launched to coincide with Te Wiki o Te Reo (Māori Language Week).

The project is a collaboration between Waimakariri Libraries and the council’s greenspace team.

‘‘A story walk is mainly aimed at young children,’’ greenspace design and planning team leader Grant Stephens said at last week’s meeting.

‘‘Families go along and read the story together and the Rangiora one has been incredibly successful and it gets people reading and into our reserves.’’

Waimakariri Libraries staff have obtained permission to use the children’s story, "There’s a Tui in our Teapot", written and illustrated by New Zealand authors Dawn McMillan and Nikki Slade.

The cost of creating, installing and the later removing the temporary story walk panels is estimated at $1500.

It will be funded from within the existing libraries and greenspace budgets.

Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board member Cr Al Blackie said the project had his full support.

‘‘What’s not to like. It’s an excellent initiative and it’s cheap.’’

The idea came out of the Covid-19 lockdown, as library staff explored new ways of connecting with people.

Story walks have been created in other parts of New Zealand, including the Gore, Hastings and Napier districts.

The council launched a story walk with the story, "The Little Kiwi’s Matariki" by Nikki Slade Robinson, in Rangiora’s Northbrook Reserve on Matariki Day, June 24.

Each panel in the Rangiora story walk is like a different page, telling a story and linking to the local environment.

More than 1000 people are estimated to have attended the opening of Rangiora’s story walk.

Te Korotuaheka Reserve is a regeneration initiative in Kaiapoi’s former red zone.

Te Wiki o Te Reo (Māori Language Week) runs from September 12 to 18.

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V
810 days ago

Child's plastic table and chairs to buy

Viv from Kaiapoi

Would anybody have a child's plastic table and chairs + tea set to sell cheaply please? Thanks.

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