Mahinga kai project progressing in Kaiapoi
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A mahinga kai project in Kaiapoi has been labelled as an "outstanding" community initiative. Mahinga kai is traditional Māori food gathering as well as activities that surround that.
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson says the Huria Reserve heritage and mahinga kai area, to the south of Kaiapoi River, was an important part of the town’s regeneration after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.
"This is an outstanding project and it has come out at the right cost all the way through," he said.
"It is a very important part of Kaiapoi’s regeneration and it needs to be completed."
The project is a collaboration between the Waimakariri District Council and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and came out of the Kaiapoi residential red zone regeneration plan developed after the earthquakes.
The council has completed physical implementation works over the last two years and has now entered into a formal agreement with Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust, which will manage the $1.8 million project.
The trust is a partnership between the council, the Rūnanga and the wider community to manage the district's coastal park.
Funding of $390,000 will now be transferred to the trust, from the 2023-24 annual plan.
It was approved at last week’s council meeting, despite a proposal from councillor Paul Williams to defer it due to the economic situation.
He said the trust should be looking for outside funding, like the Honda Forest, which has been developed to the north of Kaiapoi River.
Community and recreation general manager Chris Brown said the council had consulted extensively with the community as part of the regeneration plan and the Long Term Plan process.
"We said to the community we would deliver this project and we intend to deliver it."
Councillor Al Blackie, who is also a Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust trustee, said the trust intended to seek commercial support and planned to engage with schools and community organisations.
Mayor Dan Gordon said he was pleased to see the project come to fruition.
"The trust will continue to develop this space, which will celebrate traditional Māori customs and promote learning and recreation activity."
Gordon said the council had completed several regeneration projects over the last six years, including sports fields, a BMX track, a dog park, and had redeveloped the marine precinct and the river banks.
A community hub, bringing together organisations such as Satisfy Food Rescue and the Kaiapoi Menz Shed, was also being developed across the road from Huria Reserve.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.6% Yes
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13.9% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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