Waikuku & Waikuku Beach, Waikuku

204 days ago

Four 65” Panasonic 4K TVs up for grabs worth $3,999 each

TV Guide

This winter, we are celebrating the 2024 Olympics with our TV Guide readers with a chance to win 1 of 4 65” Panasonic 4K TVs worth $3,999 each.

Pick up a copy of the TV Guide each week starting from the June 1 - 7 issue, find the codeword, and follow the directions to be in to win! We’ve put… View more
This winter, we are celebrating the 2024 Olympics with our TV Guide readers with a chance to win 1 of 4 65” Panasonic 4K TVs worth $3,999 each.

Pick up a copy of the TV Guide each week starting from the June 1 - 7 issue, find the codeword, and follow the directions to be in to win! We’ve put a codeword in each of the following three issues, so find them all for more chances to win. You’ll have until July 3 to enter online or mail in your codeword. T&Cs apply.
Learn more

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204 days ago

Rangiora Players

Mark from Rangiora

Less than two weeks until opening night!

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205 days ago

Last chance for tickets!

Heart Foundation Lotteries

Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in gorgeous Papamoa, worth just over $1.1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by … View more
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in gorgeous Papamoa, worth just over $1.1 million.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

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205 days ago

Family Friendly Service and Discussion

Jeneane Hobby from Ashley Community Church Incorporated

Note change of time from summer start time.

Paul and Lesley Askin lead their next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 7 July at the Ashley Community Church. With shorter days the gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!

Also … View more
Note change of time from summer start time.

Paul and Lesley Askin lead their next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 7 July at the Ashley Community Church. With shorter days the gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!

Also remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.

Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley.

211 days ago

Could the jury service process be improved?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Every year, thousands of New Zealanders are called up to serve as jurors in the High and District Courts, and it's an important way to contribute to your country.

But for some, jury service can be a huge disruption and a financial burden. Do you think changes could be made to our jury … View more
Every year, thousands of New Zealanders are called up to serve as jurors in the High and District Courts, and it's an important way to contribute to your country.

But for some, jury service can be a huge disruption and a financial burden. Do you think changes could be made to our jury service system to address these challenges?

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209 days ago

Canterbury ratepayers face 17.9% rates hike

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Canterbury households are facing a lower than expected rates rise after the regional council found savings, including delaying some transport projects.

After two days of deliberations last week, Environment Canterbury pulled back its proposed average … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Canterbury households are facing a lower than expected rates rise after the regional council found savings, including delaying some transport projects.

After two days of deliberations last week, Environment Canterbury pulled back its proposed average rates rise from 24.2% to 17.9%.

Acting chairperson Craig Pauling said there were some tense negotiations, but he was pleased with the outcome.

The councillors voted on 15 main resolutions, with several resulting in close division among the 16 councillors, he said.

‘‘Even though it was tense throughout, there was good support at the end and people felt there was some good give and take in the room,’’ Pauling said.

‘‘The feeling in the room was, ‘we have done all we could have’.’’

More than 1300 submissions were received on the draft long-term plan, with 153 making oral presentations during the hearings, which were held over four days.

‘‘We tested the water with some bold options in our consultation and the response demonstrated there were mixed views, with some saying we needed to deliver more, while others identified we could make savings or prioritise work,’’ Pauling said.

Savings were made by delaying some of the proposed public transport projects, including delaying work on a mass transit business case until year 2 and postponing bus route improvement work until year three.

‘‘It makes sense to delay this work so we have a better idea of where the Government and Waka Kotahi (NZ Transport Agency) are heading,’’ Pauling said.

‘‘Some councillors thought we should be more cautious, but if we don’t put it in the plan, we don’t get anything from Waka Kotahi.’’

About three-quarters of submissions supported the council increasing its spending on ‘‘river resilience’’, including flood protection, and pest and weed control.

The council is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection.

There was strong support for a district-wide rate for river resilience in Selwyn, and the council was considering similar options from the Ashley Rakahuri River and other rivers in South Canterbury.

Pauling said it would need support from the community, local councils and ultimately central Government.

‘‘Over the last five years we have been getting more and more requests for how we might move forward in addressing our rivers.

‘‘It is recognition that rivers are important to everybody.’’

He said river resilience was a national issue, as disruption to bridges on major routes could affect the whole country.

‘‘Room for rivers’’ was an important conversation and could be achieved by buying land, such as Environment Canterbury buying land beside the Ashburton River.

Another example was the Waimakariri District Council’s land purchase on Lineside Rd, beside the Cam Ruataniwha River.

‘‘By acquiring the land we can do something great for the community,’’ Pauling said.

Council staff will now finalise the long-term plan before it is audited by Audit New Zealand and adopted by councillors on June 26.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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206 days ago

Entertainment books

Diane from Rangiora

I understand they are now online . !However, lm wondering if someone might have dudley pool discount vouchers they don't require that they'd b happy to do a trade?

207 days ago

Home projects

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rangiora

Creating an office out of a small room by utilising built-in furniture, floating shelves, a tidy charging station and Resene Atlas makes space-saving sense.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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207 days ago

Ban proposal upsets Fish & Game

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Fish and Game is unimpressed with a proposal to ban hunting dogs from the Ashley Rakahuri River estuary during duck shooting season.

The Waimakariri District Council is consulting on a new Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw, which includes banning all dogs on … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Fish and Game is unimpressed with a proposal to ban hunting dogs from the Ashley Rakahuri River estuary during duck shooting season.

The Waimakariri District Council is consulting on a new Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw, which includes banning all dogs on the spit and the Ashley Rakahuri River and Saltwater Creek estuary.

The bylaw governs what activities are allowed on the district’s beaches.
The new rules will remove an exemption which has allowed holders of Fish and Game hunting licenses to take their dogs into the estuary area during gamebird hunting season.

The measures are designed to protect ecological values and bird habitats around the estuary and wetlands.

But Fish and Game North Canterbury game bird specialist Matt Garrick was not impressed with the proposed ban.

He said he corresponded with the council a year ago, but had not had any further contact.

‘‘I explained that duck season does not overlap during critical, sensitive periods, such as nesting, so there would be no conflict with dogs used for game bird hunting.’’

He said he requested data to demonstrate game bird hunting and dogs in the winter was having an effect on the estuary's bird life, but had heard nothing further.

The estuary is home to threatened bird species including wrybills, black-bill gulls, banded dotterels, black-fronted terns and pied oystercatchers, some of which are also endangered.

A council spokesperson said staff reached out to Fish and Game North Canterbury in January and May last year to inform the organisation it was conducting a review of the bylaw.

‘‘Based on feedback we received from the public consultation on the bylaw, which ran for three months over summer of 2023-24, we are now proposing to exclude all dogs and this would include hunting dogs.

‘‘We welcome any feedback on the proposed changes to the bylaw from Fish and Game and any other group or individual.’’

Submissions can be made at letstalk.waimakariri.govt.nz... until June 14.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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207 days ago

Corokia 'Genties Green' Plants

Vicki from Rangiora

Corokias at a bargain price of $3 per plant. Good size (approx 20cm) healthy plants. Grow well in almost all conditions. Great for hedges.

Price: $3

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207 days ago

‘No clear direction’: Schools await fate of building projects

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Crunchtime is fast approaching for two North Canterbury schools bulging at the seams.

Woodend School and Te Kura o Tuahiwi are on the Ministry of Education’s list of 352 building projects under review.

The review is not expected to be completed … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Crunchtime is fast approaching for two North Canterbury schools bulging at the seams.

Woodend School and Te Kura o Tuahiwi are on the Ministry of Education’s list of 352 building projects under review.

The review is not expected to be completed until July.

Te Kura o Tuahiwi, a Māori immersion and bilingual school between Kaiapoi and Rangiora, was due to receive five new classrooms and a new hall, with building set to begin last December and be completed next month.

But it was delayed and is now on hold, pending the review.

Principal Dot Singh said the project was designed to take the school’s capacity to 230 students.

For the now school is sitting at its present capacity of 160, with another 33 pupils pre-enrolled to start later this year.

‘‘Now we are wondering where we will put all of those tamariki.

‘‘I feel they (the ministry) will come to the party in some form, it just might not be how we planned it.’’

Woodend School principal Andrew Retallick said his roll was continuing to grow faster than anticipated.

‘‘As off today we have 480 students enrolled, so now it is looking like we will have have at least 520 by the end of the year.

‘‘I’ve had 70 students enrol so far this year and we have 50 year 8s leaving at the end of the year, so it shows you how much we are growing.’’

The site’s capacity is about 490 and by using the school library as a classroom, Retallick said the school could cater for around 510 students.

The school’s growth comes on the back of the booming Ravenswood subdivision.

‘‘The toughest part is the uncertainty and having no clear direction, but I can’t do anything about it until I get some direction from the ministry,’’ he said.

Schools around the country are feeling the pressure while they wait for an update from the Ministry of Education’s review.

Education Minister Erica Stanford announced an inquiry in February, which immediately put the brakes on the projects.

At the time, Stanford said the scope of the building works were ‘‘unrealistic and unaffordable’’.

Ministry of Education Te Tai Runga (South) Hautū (leader) Nancy Bell said there were no updates on the North Canterbury building projects.

‘‘We continue to work closely with the schools in our planning to deliver roll growth teaching spaces to accommodate the schools’ in-zone rolls as required.’’

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

208 days ago

Have you experienced loss in some form or another? GRIEF

Rae from Room To Heal

Whether it is the passing of a loved one, then endo of a relationship, or the loss of a dream.

GRIEF can be messy. Its a rollercoaster of emotions that can leave us feeling lost, alone, and overwhelmed. But here's is the beautiful truth: in our moments of deepest pain, we find our greatest … View more
Whether it is the passing of a loved one, then endo of a relationship, or the loss of a dream.

GRIEF can be messy. Its a rollercoaster of emotions that can leave us feeling lost, alone, and overwhelmed. But here's is the beautiful truth: in our moments of deepest pain, we find our greatest strength.

So, if you are in the midst of a storm right now, know that you are not alone. Your feelings are valid, your tears are sacred, and your heartache is a testament to the depth of your love.

Take all the time to heal. Surround yourself with love, kindness and compassion - from others but most importantly, from yourself.

You know what? Its okay not to be okay. In fact it's more than okay - it's human

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Room to Heal in Rangiora
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Price: $28

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208 days ago

Nationwide protests

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Nationwide protests are taking place today (Thursday) having been organised by Te Pāti Māori and other connected to Toitū Te Tiriti movement.
There is likely to be some traffic disruptions so Waka Kotahi are closely monitoring the situation. Below are the locations of these gatherings across … View more
Nationwide protests are taking place today (Thursday) having been organised by Te Pāti Māori and other connected to Toitū Te Tiriti movement.
There is likely to be some traffic disruptions so Waka Kotahi are closely monitoring the situation. Below are the locations of these gatherings across the country.

Northland:
Whangārei, Farmer’s car park, 9am.
Kaitāia, Commerce St, 9am.

Auckland:
West Auckland, BP Hobsonville, 6.30am.
South Auckland, Z Petrol station, 6.30am.
North Auckland, Palmers Albany Garden Centre, 6.30am.
Central Auckland, Aotea Square, 11am.

Waikato:
Hamilton, Kirikiriroa Marae, 7.30am.
Matamata, Matamata Woolworths, 6.45am.
Te Puaha, Weraroa Marae, 8.30am.
Hauraki, Victoria Park, 12pm.

Waiariki:
Tauranga, Whareroa Reserve, 8am.
Whakatāne, SH30, 7.30am.
Ōpōtiki, Waioweka bridge, 7am.
Taupō, Lake Terrace, 8am.
Tūrangi, Tūrangi town centre, 9am.
Rotorua, Lake Rd intersection, Old Taupō Rd, Fenton St and Sala St, 7am.

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti:
Tūranganui a Kiwa, Heipipi Park, 7am.
Hastings, Hastings Clock Tower, 7am.
Wairarapa, Masterton Town Hall, 12pm.

Te Tai Hauāuru:
Hāwera, Hāwera Netball Courts, 10.30am.
Palmerston North, Te Marae o Hine, 7.15am.
Tokoroa, Leith Place, 8am.

Wellington:
A hīkoi to Parliament 12pm.

South Island:
Christchurch, Bridge of Remembrance, 11am.
Nelson, Church steps, 12.30pm.
Dunedin, Queens Gardens, 12pm.

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208 days ago

Have your say on the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw 2024

The Team from Waimakariri District Council

Based on your feedback we have proposed changes to the Northern Pegasus Bay Bylaw. Click below to have your say

208 days ago

Waimakariri Gorge Bridge Update and daytime closure

The Team from Waimakariri District Council

Following the successful sealing of the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge on Thursday 16 May the bridge is now open at night.

Attention now turns to the installation of the guardrail which will require short 10 minute closures during the daytime.


We had anticipated this to be complete by Friday 31 … View more
Following the successful sealing of the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge on Thursday 16 May the bridge is now open at night.

Attention now turns to the installation of the guardrail which will require short 10 minute closures during the daytime.


We had anticipated this to be complete by Friday 31 May but the pouring of the concrete beams has been slower than expected and will require another two weeks to complete.

Expect daytime short 10m closures until mid-June.

However, the slower progress has allowed the completion of other maintenance work to take place. We thank you for your continued patience.

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