Local business hero 'not just a regular pharmacist'
A “delightfully different character” with a great sense of humour and a friendly manner is how customers describe Kaiapoi’s local business hero.
Robert Fenwick, the owner of Fenwicks Pharmacy in Kaiapoi, Canterbury, is the national winner of the 2022 Prospa Local Business Hero award.
The award recognises community heroes who own small businesses throughout New Zealand.
Fenwicks Pharmacy was passed down to Fenwick from his father when he retired in 1985.
He has seen many changes in technology and treatments over his 37 years of running a pharmacy.
Fenwick said the toughest times were during the Canterbury earthquakes and the Covid-19 pandemic.
To ensure customer safety after the earthquakes, the pharmacy operated out of a caravan parked at the front of the premises.
Like for most businesses, the start of the pandemic was a “scary” time for Fenwick, though he acknowledged pharmacies, as essential busineses, had been “lucky economically”.
“I feel for all those workers that are struggling.”
Fenwick was “very surprised” to hear he had been nominated for the local hero award.
“There are plenty of other heroes out there. I’m thankful. I appreciate the community.”
He did not want to take all the credit, saying the pharmacy worked as a team.
Kaiapoi resident Michael Mckay said he had never left Fenwicks Pharmacy without a smile on his face.
“Rob’s a delightfully different character with a great sense of humour. The staff are all wonderful, professional and happy. They always pick you up,” Mckay said.
Fenwick was recognised by his community for his ongoing service and support through some of country’s toughest times. Fenwicks Pharmacy remained open throughout the lockdowns and, despite the challenge that brought, the community appreciated the team’s friendly greetings, conversations and smiles.
Regular customer Nadia Bell said Fenwick went out of his way to help his customers.
“He’ll provide you not only with a good belly laugh but extra valuable knowledge. He’s not a regular pharmacist, he will go out of his way to acknowledge you even when he’s under the pump,” Bell said.
The Prospa Local Business Hero awards is in partnership with Neighbourly. A small business owner is nominated each year for the award and wins a package worth $10,000 including $2500 worth of Neighbourly advertising, $5000 worth of Stuff advertising and $2500 cash.
Head of Neighbourly Sarah Moore, said a pharmacy winning the award demonstrated “the value Kiwis place on their connection with their local pharmacist”.
“They're often the first port of call for minor ailments and hold a position of real trust in our communities”.
Adrienne Begbie, managing director of Prospa NZ, said it is great to celebrate hard-working small business owners for their service and support of the community
“We hope this award displays the appreciation felt by the local residents for [Robert Fenwick’s] dedication to the community with service that goes above and beyond, especially witnessed during lockdowns.
“We would also like to acknowledge all those nominated, and hope many business owners felt the gratitude expressed by those took the time to vote.”
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Heritage gem or dangerous burden? Bowling club’s dilemma with historic pavilion
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A Rangiora sports club is frustrated with the increasing maintenance and insurance costs of its 113-year-old pavilion, which can't be demolished due to its historic importance.
The Rangiora Bowling Club approached the Waimakariri District Council last year for help, but was yet to find a satisfactory solution for the pavilion.
It is registered with Heritage New Zealand and listed in the Waimakariri District Plan, leaving the club with few options.
The club’s ex-president Norman Hewett said the pavilion on Good St, north of the town centre, is unsafe and no longer fit for purpose.
Hewett said the council has been supportive and Heritage New Zealand has offered advice, but no funding.
‘‘Everybody thinks the building is worth preserving, but there is a cost and it shouldn’t be put on the bowling club.
‘‘As far as we are concerned it is not fit for purpose and we want to know how we can get round that.
‘‘We want to know what the community thinks and if they want to retain it, are they willing to pay for it?’’
The club has formed a sub-committee to explore what options are available.
Sub-committee member Rodger Wilton said the club has been unable to find any record that the club had a say when the building was given heritage status.
Built in 1911, the pavilion served the Rangiora Bowling, Tennis and Croquet Club, which originally shared the site.
It cost 945 pounds and was opened on October 28, 1911.
The three clubs purchased 1.25 acres on the corner of Blackett and Good streets in April 1905, but later parted company, with tennis and croquet moving to new sites.
While no quotes have been sought, Hewett believed it would cost more than $1 million to bring the pavilion up to code.
Ideally the club would like to demolish the pavilion so it can upgrade its main building and remain on site.
The stairwell was non-compliant and there was no wheelchair access, meaning the club was unable to use the upstairs facilities.
There are loose tiles on the roof which need replacing.
An attached building behind the pavilion is sufficient to meet the needs of the 140 members and for hosting the largest bowls tournament in North Canterbury, Hewett said.
He said the club is open to all options, including a land swap or selling to a developer with the expertise to restore the pavilion.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation manager Chris Brown said the council is working through various opportunities with the bowling club as part of a feasibility study.
‘‘There are a lot of options to consider. Each have various financial, social and operational implications.’’
Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga said it had ‘‘expressed support for the adaptive reuse of the building and supported the club’s intention to investigate options for the pavilion and the associated land parcel’’.
The Rangiora Bowling Club is keen to hear the views of the community. Email rangiorabowling@gmail.com.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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