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Spark have recently announced a price increase of $3 - $5 a month for new and existing broadband customers and other providers seem likely to follow suit.
Information collated by our research team has found that tens of thousands of Kiwis are still missing out on hundreds of dollars of savings … View moreSpark have recently announced a price increase of $3 - $5 a month for new and existing broadband customers and other providers seem likely to follow suit.
Information collated by our research team has found that tens of thousands of Kiwis are still missing out on hundreds of dollars of savings each year on their broadband bill, because they are failing to shop around for cheaper broadband plans.
We estimate that over 500,000 households would be able to pay less for their broadband each month but many consumers are unaware of the fact that they could be making these savings and people often don’t know where to start when looking for a change in broadband plan or provider.
This is where NZ Compare can help. Our websites are simple to use and if you need more help, our friendly, Auckland based, customer support centre can advise on the most suitable broadband plan for your needs and help talk you through the switch. With unlimited fibre broadband plans available for less than $60 a month why would you pay more?
Find out more at NZ Compare or call the team on 0508 226672
CORRECTION: This post has been amended to clarify that the price of fibre and copper broadband internet services will increase, and that the increase is between $3 and $5 a month, not only $5 a month on fibre broadband plans as previously posted. (Amended at 10.31am, June 23, 2022)
Transform an old wooden easel with Resene paint into a statement piece for a glam office or homework desk!
Find out how to create your own.
Rivet High Visibility Day Compliant Pullover Sweatshirts. These are in used condition some more than others but still plenty of wear left in them.
Orange/Black 1 x XL
1 x 2XL 360 brand
1 x 4XL
Yellow/Black 2 x Large
… View moreRivet High Visibility Day Compliant Pullover Sweatshirts. These are in used condition some more than others but still plenty of wear left in them.
Orange/Black 1 x XL
1 x 2XL 360 brand
1 x 4XL
Yellow/Black 2 x Large
3 x XL
Unglazed Commercial Roller Door. Including electric motors and mounting brackets. 4200 x 4200mm approx. The tracks and mounting brackets are all included. These came out of the Woodend Fire Brigade a few years ago and are no longer required. Currently stored on top of a container which is being … View moreUnglazed Commercial Roller Door. Including electric motors and mounting brackets. 4200 x 4200mm approx. The tracks and mounting brackets are all included. These came out of the Woodend Fire Brigade a few years ago and are no longer required. Currently stored on top of a container which is being relocated. Photos show them wrapped up, the motors and mountings and the current doors that replaced them. Please note these doors look similar to this image but have no glass. No unreasonable offer will be refused for a quick sale. Phone Murray 027 256 2454
From reporter Liz McDonald:
School holiday visitors and staff sicknesses are putting further stress on Hanmer Springs businesses already struggling to find workers.
The North Canterbury township has had to manage without the backpackers it traditionally depends on as a temporary workforce, … View moreFrom reporter Liz McDonald:
School holiday visitors and staff sicknesses are putting further stress on Hanmer Springs businesses already struggling to find workers.
The North Canterbury township has had to manage without the backpackers it traditionally depends on as a temporary workforce, leaving accommodation and tourism business owners run off their feet.
At the Rustic cafe and tapas bar on the main street, owners Stacey and Zane Inglis are putting in 12 or 13 hour days, seven days a week.
Stacey Inglis said they had “shipped the kids off to their nana” while they cover long shifts starting at 5am for the duration of the school holidays.
“It’s been very busy, we are trying to keep it together. Staffing is a huge issue in Hanmer and everyone is short at the moment.
“Normally we rely on backpackers to take on jobs.”
Zane Inglis said he was working as “part chef, part dishwasher”, as well as filling other roles, to keep the doors open and customers happy.
The cafe has five staff, down from the normal seven or eight, and some of those have been off sick.
Some businesses in the town have shut up shop because of staff illness, while others are carrying signs asking customers to be patient.
Businesses with the doors closed because of staff sickness when the Northern Outlook visited on Monday included A-Maze-N-Golf mini-golf and maze, and Mumbles Cafe.
Hanmer Hospitality Ltd owns five bars and restaurants in the town, but sometimes has to close at least one to keep the others sufficiently staffed.
Hanmer Hospitality director Alan McNabb said they were already stretched with roles not filled, and now winter illnesses and Covid were hitting the staff they had. Some former staff were even coming in to help out, he said.
“We start every day thinking things are fine, and then we’ve got three staff down stick. On Saturday, we were three chefs short, in the middle weekend of the school holidays.
“The managers all just have to roll their sleeves up, we either have our hands in the sink or we’re pulling pints.”
Losing the backpacker employment market because of the pandemic had affected the whole town, he said.
“They’d come here travelling from somewhere like England, want to work as much as they could for a few months, then move on.
“Young Kiwis don’t want to live in a small town, or work weekends. That’s when we’re busy.”
The company is now paying staff double time after 10pm on Saturdays to get enough people for late shifts. They also have accommodation available to try and attract staff.
McNabb said that from a resident population of about 1000, the town swells to between 4000 and 5000 during holiday periods, and 6000 when the town is at its fullest.
“Every day is a challenge.”
Hanmer Springs thermal pools and spa manager Graeme Abbot said they were “managing to scramble through”, despite being short of workers.
On some days 10% to 15% of employees at the complex had been absent due to illness, he said.
“It’s harder to get some people in, especially staff that need to be qualified like lifeguards and staff therapists.
“In Hanmer, if we are being stretched, so is everyone else in town.”
For delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo.
An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world. Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.
… View moreFor delicious grass-raised beef New Zealand is the perfect combo.
An ideal climate, lush pastures and innovative farming produces enough beef for Macca’s in New Zealand and around the world. Our patties are 100% quality beef, and all that’s added is a dash of salt and pepper when cooked.
We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including those at the world-class Whangara Farms.
From reporter Amber Allott:
A North Canterbury council will oppose a subdivision that could transform a rural village into a town, but developers say the development will provide new homes and an economic boost to the district.
Earlier this month, the Waimakariri District Council put a private … View moreFrom reporter Amber Allott:
A North Canterbury council will oppose a subdivision that could transform a rural village into a town, but developers say the development will provide new homes and an economic boost to the district.
Earlier this month, the Waimakariri District Council put a private plan change request for an 850-house development at Ohoka out for public submissions.
Rolleston Industrial Developments – owned by the Carter Group’s Philip and Tim Carter – wants to rezone 155.9 hectares of farmland between Whites, Bradleys, and Mill roads to residential land.
The subdivision would be called Ohoka Estate, built in stages with most sections between 500 and 1000 square metres. It would also feature shops, a public square, and a school or retirement village.
Waimakariri District mayor Dan Gordon confirmed the council would be making a submission opposing the private plan change, and “urbanising part of Ohoka”.
Since the council had decided to make a submission, the application would now be handled by independent commissioners.
The council had hired an independent lawyer and specialists to help prepare the submission, he said, and the draft would be considered at their August 2 meeting. It would be publicly available on the council website closer to that date.
Due to public interest in the private plan change, the council also had someone on hand to help explain the process and give advice on how to lodge a submission.
Several of Ohoka’s 600 residents had voiced concerns a big development would destroy the little village’s quaint, rural nature, and said the sudden influx of new residents would put a strain on existing infrastructure.
Ohoka is currently home to mostly larger homes on lifestyle blocks, plus some smaller properties, a domain, community hall, primary school, petrol station and small church. House prices range from about $1.2 million to $3.5m.
Analysis by the Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakariri district councils, released last August, also found greater Christchurch would need 77,000 more homes in the next 30 years.
The Carter Group’s Philip Carter said they believed it was important there were housing opportunities in Waimakariri for both new and current residents.
“Our proposed subdivision will not only provide supply for new houses, it will also give the district an economic boost.”
They would talk to local iwi and the community to get their input as the development progressed, he said.
“We are very conscious of the high-quality village atmosphere of Ohoka, with its extensive large-scale trees and streams, and our proposed development will keep existing trees and use rural style roads and fencing.”
Carter said they were proposing a good mix of section sizes, including larger sections of 0.5 to one hectare close to smaller sections, “all of which will have rural outlooks”.
“We want to ensure Ohoka Estate is well-connected to the existing Ohoka Village and that we maintain Ohoka's special rural character.”
The MOE has a firm stance on not adding any more schools in Ohoka. If the change of plan goes thru, Ohoka primary will be the zoned school for the New Ohoka Development. To met demand they will need 26 more class rooms to cope. The principal of Ohoka Primary said Ohoka school as it is today wont be… View moreThe MOE has a firm stance on not adding any more schools in Ohoka. If the change of plan goes thru, Ohoka primary will be the zoned school for the New Ohoka Development. To met demand they will need 26 more class rooms to cope. The principal of Ohoka Primary said Ohoka school as it is today wont be able to cope. They will have to build a new school and they will loose all the rural charm the school has on offer now. All the schools in Ohoka area are close if not over capacity. Please send in a submission to not approve this change in the district plan. ANYONE, ANYWHERE can make a submission. www.waimakariri.govt.nz....
The Residential Tenancies Amendment Act changed the way that landlords can end both fixed-term and periodic tenancies.
Landlords must now give a reason to end a tenancy, and the reason must be one of the specified reasons stated in the Residential Tenancies Act.
READ MORE 🔍
It's true what they say. "time flies when you're having fun!"
One thing we can all agree on is that these school holidays are going by very quickly!
We only have one week left.
Get booking now so you and your whanau don't miss out.
It's true what they say. "time flies when you're having fun!"
One thing we can all agree on is that these school holidays are going by very quickly!
We only have one week left.
Get booking now so you and your whanau don't miss out.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Melanie Taite-Pitama knows the pressures school principals face.
The Tuahiwi School principal and Katote Kahui Ako (Kaiapoi learning cluster) lead principal has seen four colleagues across the nine schools in her cluster move on in the last 12 months.
… View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Melanie Taite-Pitama knows the pressures school principals face.
The Tuahiwi School principal and Katote Kahui Ako (Kaiapoi learning cluster) lead principal has seen four colleagues across the nine schools in her cluster move on in the last 12 months.
In the last year, at least seven principals across North Canterbury have either moved to other schools, or taken early retirement, with some citing ‘‘exhaustion’’.
‘‘The workload is massive and the expectations from the Ministry of Education and whanau continues to increase,’’ Taite-Pitama said.
‘‘I think some are definitely retiring early and the more that are doing that, the more principals will see that as an option.
‘‘Communities want to retain good principals and I think teaching staff want to retain good principals, as the principal can set the whole culture and tone for a school.’’
She said being a principal required working long hours, dealing with a multitude of challenges and keeping it confidential.
It was like being a chief executive of a business.
‘‘We are expecting a lot of a principal. If you think of Bruce Kearney, who has moved to Rangiora High School, he has 170 staff and how many chief executives have 170 staff?
‘‘Principals have got to be good at everything. You are a lawyer, a builder, an accountant, a parent, a teacher, a counsellor, a social worker and you are expected to solve everybody’s problems.’’
Being the principal of a community school means you are instantly recognisable.
Taite-Pitama said she avoided going to the supermarket and buyed most things online.
‘‘People do forget boundaries and there’s an expectation that I’m ‘Mel the principal’ 24/7.’’
Despite the challenges, Taite-Pitama said being a school principal was a privilege, as you had the opportunity ‘‘to touch the lives of young people’’ and to make a difference.
She also enjoyed working alongside her fellow North Canterbury principals.
‘‘All principals want their schools to be as amazing as they can be and I salute all principals across North Canterbury because I know how complex it is.’’
Simon Green has been principal at North Loburn and Amberley Schools and recently took on a new role with Evaluation Associates, supporting new principals in Canterbury, Otago and the Chatham Islands.
He said North Canterbury principals were looking forward to the school holidays after a stressful first half of the year, managing Covid restrictions and staff and student wellbeing.
‘‘They’ve been so busy looking after the wellbeing of staff and now they need to take some time to look after themselves.
‘‘There’s a lot of young principals in Canterbury coming through and deputy principals stepping up as there’s been a lot retiring, more than there usually would be.’’
Green said good school principals ‘‘live the craft’’ of teaching and connecting with their communities, as well as being multi-skilled.
‘‘If you love connecting with people, bringing out the best in your community and making a difference.
‘‘Being a principal requires a unique skill-set, but it’s also very rewarding.’’
■ July 4 to 8 was Tu Meke Tumuaki Week, which was organised by the New Zealand Educational Institute to recognise the contributions of school principals.
Simply visit your local Resene owned ColorShop, choose your favourite red testpots and for each one you buy Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids to help fund vital child health research!
Offer applies to all Resene green 60mL testpots (excludes metallic and wood stains) purchased by retail … View moreSimply visit your local Resene owned ColorShop, choose your favourite red testpots and for each one you buy Resene will donate $1 to Cure Kids to help fund vital child health research!
Offer applies to all Resene green 60mL testpots (excludes metallic and wood stains) purchased by retail customers between 13-31 July 2022 at Resene owned ColorShops.
Come in and see the Resene team today!
Transform a dull concrete pad into an attractive seating area with a little bit of help from Resene Walk-on flooring and paving paint.
Find out how to create your own.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Policing, local government, education and immigration have been the focus of visits from the nation’s leaders to Rangiora, Kaikōura and Kaiapoi over the last two weeks.
The most notable visit was by new Police Minister Chris Hipkins, who visited police… View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Policing, local government, education and immigration have been the focus of visits from the nation’s leaders to Rangiora, Kaikōura and Kaiapoi over the last two weeks.
The most notable visit was by new Police Minister Chris Hipkins, who visited police in Rangiora and Kaikōura as part of his nationwide tour.
‘‘We’ve talked about everything from gang crime to stock rustling to mental health,’’ Hipkins said.
‘‘Our police do a tough job, and we’re fortunate to have such a grounded and committed group working to keep us all safe.’’
New Associate Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty made Waimakariri his first stop last week, in a series of visits around the country.
Mayor Dan Gordon said topics discussed included last year’s floods, advocacy for lifestylers, transport projects such as the Woodend Bypass, Skew Bridge and Southbrook, racing and Three Waters reform.
‘‘We found him to be very interested in the work we are doing here in the Waimakariri district and he listened as we outlined our concerns, particularly around Three Waters and transport.’’
Gordon hoped to host McAnulty again on a visit to learn more about the council’s Civil Defence Cadet programme - a first in New Zealand.
Kaiapoi North School has been the focus of two MP visits, as its structured literacy programme captures national attention.
Opposition Education and Immigration Spokesperson Erica Stanford was in Kaiapoi on July 1, and met with Kaiapoi North School principal Jason Miles.
Her visit was followed by Associate Education Minister Jan Tinetti, who came to observe the structured literacy programme first-hand last week.
Stanford said the Government had been ‘‘very late to the party’’ and she wanted structured literacy rolled out to schools throughout the country.
‘‘It goes right back to early childhood education and even learning at home, so we are looking at what we can do to change these outcomes.’’
She was also concerned with school attendance rates, which dropped back to 60% last year in the wake of Covid-19.
The Government recently announced a new strategy, aiming to improve attendance to 75% of children attending school regularly by 2026.
But Stanford said the Government needed to do better.
‘‘We can see schools in similar deciles and ethnic make-ups getting very different results, so how we learn from those that are succeeding?’’
Stanford also met with local businesses, discussing their challenges with recruiting staff and attracting migrants.
While airfares were expensive and even getting flights could be a challenge, Stanford said there were ways of simplifying the process of assisting businesses to attract migrant workers.
One option was issuing short-term residency Visas for new migrants on arrival in particular areas of skills shortages such as nurses or farm workers.
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