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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The Oxford community is ready to cash in on a growing interest in astronomy.
Oxford Area School Observatory volunteer Raul Elias-Drago says the team has come through Covid-19 disruptions and is stronger than ever.
After holding just one open night in… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The Oxford community is ready to cash in on a growing interest in astronomy.
Oxford Area School Observatory volunteer Raul Elias-Drago says the team has come through Covid-19 disruptions and is stronger than ever.
After holding just one open night in 2021, the observatory lost some key volunteers and fellow volunteer Erik Vermaat admits the team came close to throwing in the towel.
But last year the weather played ball and the observatory had its best stargazing season in 16 years of operation.
‘‘It was our best year so far with attendance and we even had to put people on a waiting list because of the demand,’’ Elias-Drago said.
After two years of virtually no income, the team has been able to fund some much needed maintenance.
Now the eight-strong team of volunteers is planning for the future.
Prior to Covid, previous observatory volunteers discussed options with the Waimakariri District Council for protecting the night sky from light pollution.
A council spokesperson said the council was gradually converting street lights to 3000K LED lighting, in line recommendations by the International Dark-Sky Association.
A ‘‘Light Protection Area Overlay’’ provision has been included in the Proposed Waimakariri District Plan, including rules for shielding and timing of outdoor lighting near the Oxford Observatory.
Conversations were also ongoing with Enterprise North Canterbury to explore funding sources to extend its education programme, with the possibility of astrotourism in the longer term.
Elias-Drago said open evenings have been pencilled in across 16 weekends between April and August this year.
Two early morning sessions were also planned in July to view Matariki.
A solar filter has been purchased, so solar observation sessions could be offered during the day.
Astrophotography sessions were also being planned and the volunteers were keen to buy a second telescope to increase capacity.
Alongside the open nights were the astronomy courses offered by Vermaat.
Covid disruptions forced the classes to go online two years ago and this has proved to be a success, he said.
‘‘I have people from Auckland and around the South Island taking the courses and hopefully we will get people from overseas,’’ Vermaat said.
The courses begin with ‘‘exploring the solar system’’ in term one, kicking off on February 14.
A second course, ‘‘exploring the universe’’ will continue over terms two, three and four.
He said the courses were open to all ages, from young children to retired folk.
‘‘I talk a lot about the underlying physics. Once we leave the solar system, you really need the physics like ‘what is spectroscopy?’.
‘‘I bring physics back to the very basics and in normal English. I talk about the history of science and how we as humans initially discovered things, where we are now and what we can expect over the next few years.’’
The observatory was also helping the school to reconnect with international student exchanges, Elias-Drago said.
■ For more information about the observatory, open nights and to enrol for courses, follow Oxford Observatory on Facebook or go to oxford.ngawhetu.nz.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign as prime minister before February 7.
With this year's general election scheduled for Saturday, October 14, discussions surrounding the new leader of the Labour Party are in progress.
Share your thoughts below (include Not For … View morePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign as prime minister before February 7.
With this year's general election scheduled for Saturday, October 14, discussions surrounding the new leader of the Labour Party are in progress.
Share your thoughts below (include Not For Print if you don't wish for your comments to be published)
Transform a tired old plywood interior into a thing of beauty with Resene Colorwood.
Find out how to create your own.
By DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
Christmas demand for food parcels has reached record levels at North Canterbury’s food banks.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he was impressed with the efforts of local not-for-profit organisations to support families struggling with the rising cost… View moreBy DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
Christmas demand for food parcels has reached record levels at North Canterbury’s food banks.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he was impressed with the efforts of local not-for-profit organisations to support families struggling with the rising cost of living during the festive season.
‘‘I have many people who come into my office who don’t want to ask for help, but are in real need and these organisations are so supportive.
‘‘We have a very caring community which is very generous in its donations to organisations like Hope Community Trust and the Salvation Army which allows them to do the work they do.’’
Community Wellbeing North Canterbury’s Kaiapoi food bank gave out 60 percent more food parcels than during Christmas 2021.
The service even saw families referred to it by the Christchurch City Mission, as it struggled to meet demand.
‘‘Many people coming to our Kaiapoi Community Support service for assistance have never needed support before,’’ co-ordinator Gabi Barlow said.
Alongside the regular food parcels, a Christmas Giving Programme is run to ensure struggling families have presents to put under the tree.
‘‘Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our community, we gave out 2401 presents to families in need,’’ she said.
‘‘We could not have met the huge demand without the incredible support of our community.’’
Kaiapoi Community Support reopened on January 9 and demand for food parcels continues to be high.
A record haul from last month’s Toot for Tucker food drive, helped the food bank get through the Christmas period.
But Community Wellbeing North Canterbury was facing the same cost of living pressures, so more cash and food donations were needed, Barlow said.
Rangiora’s Hope Community Trust is coming up with innovative ways to support families struggling to buy enough food, manager Tracy Pirie said.
The trust launched a new initiative, ‘‘Top Ups’’, last week as a less intrusive way to help families in need.
‘‘Food is becoming a huge issue for a lot of families who have never needed help before,’’ Pirie said.
‘‘We set up a new Facebook page last week for ‘‘Top Ups’’ and I had two people come in last week in tears because they had no food in the house.
‘‘We’ve got to be creative in our messaging because otherwise these people won’t seek help until they’re really hurting.’’
It follows the ‘‘Operation Christmas Dinner’’ initiative, where the trust provided 40 local families with a Christmas dinner food parcel.
The trust was busy in the lead up to Christmas and opened for two days between Christmas and New Year to meet the demand.
Pirie said one person had walked 10km to get a food parcel before New Year.
Gordon lended a hand with the distribution of Operation Christmas Dinner and helped serve Christmas Day lunch run by Kaiapoi’s Reflections Community Trust.
‘‘My thanks to all those organisations which offer support to those who need it.’’
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
By DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
More notice should have been given before closing Oxford Rd, near Rangiora, for roadworks this week, says Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon.
Gordon says, given it is a busy road, the council could have done better.
Commuters and local business owners have… View moreBy DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
More notice should have been given before closing Oxford Rd, near Rangiora, for roadworks this week, says Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon.
Gordon says, given it is a busy road, the council could have done better.
Commuters and local business owners have vented their frustrations at the lack of notice.
Fernside business owners said they were not consulted on how the road closure, which could be for up two months, would impact on their businesses.
They say the lack of advanced notice left them having to quickly rethink how to operate.
One business owner was understood to be negotiating with the council to temporarily relocate his business late last week.
Commuters took to social media last week to vent their frustrations, after road closure signs appeared.
Fernside Fresh Milk owner Peter Hansen said he only found out the day before he closed for Christmas.
‘‘There was no consultation about how this would impact our businesses.
‘‘This is certainly going to effect us. We’ve only been going a short time, but we’re starting to gain some momentum.’’
A 1km stretch of Oxford Rd at Fernside, between Swannanoa and Lilly Roads, has been closed to allow for the overlay of the pavement.
The project is being led by the Waimakariri District Council’s road maintenance contractor, Corde, and work is expected to take six to eight weeks.
Information about the road closure only appeared on the council’s website and Facebook page on Friday, last week, after enquiries were made.
Hansen says he had contacted Corde to discuss how it would impact his business.
‘‘The guy from Corde said in Christchurch they put signs up to say you can access businesses, but they don’t do that out here.’’
Fernside Fresh Milk is still operating and Corde has said customers can still access the Oxford Rd entrance, from the Boundary Road end, Hansen says.
Gordon says the council’s standard notification practice was onsite signage, a letterbox drop to affected properties and updates on the council’s website and Facebook page.
But he said this could have been done earlier, and he has raised the matter with acting chief executive Jeff Millward.
Council roading and transport manager Joanne McBride said the existing pavement will be overlaid ‘‘to address failed areas’’.
A detour is in place via Swannanoa Rd and Boundary Rd.
Large trucks are being diverted to Tram Rd.
‘‘The closure will allow the contractor to carry out the works safely and more efficiently,’’ McBride said.
‘‘Options such as temporary traffic signals or stop / go operations have been considered, but it would result in longer travel delay times for drivers.
‘‘We understand this work will be disruptive, however it is important the repairs are undertaken.’’
Road resealing work on Townsend Rd also got under way on Monday between Johns Rd and Fernside Rd.
This will be completed under stop / go traffic management.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Many high schools report that vaping is a growing issue despite the 18+ legal smoking age and this has been associated with the proximity of schools to vaping retailers.
Recent amendments have been made to The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act to limit nicotine in … View moreMany high schools report that vaping is a growing issue despite the 18+ legal smoking age and this has been associated with the proximity of schools to vaping retailers.
Recent amendments have been made to The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act to limit nicotine in products and cease supply to those born in/after 2009. Less retailers are to be approved and product packaging made less appealing.
Until March 15, public submissions will accepted regarding these changes, especially around the location and quantity of retail stores as well as the appeal and addictiveness of smoked tobacco products.
I need to free up some space for an easy to get in & out of chair, so hoping to sell my two & a half seater couch. Good condition. Solid wooden frame. Corduroy upholstery. Ph or msg on 02108437041.
Whether your pet likes taking an afternoon nap or leaping that gap (that’s a little too big for them), you can relax knowing they’re covered by a trusted pet insurer.
Sign up with Southern Cross Pet Insurance today.
Wanted women's mountain bike. Must be in good condition. Please send pics and price. Thank you.
Wondering if anyone has a worm farm setup within a single tub - eg. a bathtub or large chilly bin? (See video below). If yes, I'd love to have a chat with you. I've been doing it for a few months but have some questions. Thanks a million
Video: www.youtube.com...)
I dropped one of mine and the plastic has cracked. I think they are the best carry cages out there because they open at the top, they are so useful for bringing my rabbits and guinea pigs inside/outside.
Following the 4th October recall of all Pam's berries due to the risk of Hepatitis A, an error has been made and affected product was released again for sale to the public on the 15th of January.
If you have bought Pam's berries over the weekend or have Pam's berries in your … View moreFollowing the 4th October recall of all Pam's berries due to the risk of Hepatitis A, an error has been made and affected product was released again for sale to the public on the 15th of January.
If you have bought Pam's berries over the weekend or have Pam's berries in your freezer, we urge you to check the use by date and return the product if affected.
The affected product has a use by date stating 14/08/2024 and include:
Pams brand Mixed Berries 500g
Pams brand Two Berry Mix 1kg
Pams brand Two Berry Mix 750g
Pams brand Smoothie Berry Mix 500g
Pams brand Raspberries 500g
Pams brand Raspberries 350g
The products are sold at Trents Wholesale and Raeward Fresh stores throughout the South Island and in Pak’n Save, New World and Four Square stores throughout New Zealand.
If you have consumed these products with the stated use by date and feel unwell, seek medical help immediately. If you have any questions about the products you have bought you can contact Foodstuffs Ltd on 0800 245 114.
I have around 5 litres of interior acrylic paint half sisal colour semigloss. Was wondering if someone might like to swap for same amount in fence paint, karaka green,or dark color. also around same amount of alabaster ceiling paint.
Splash some colour around your home these holidays with paper roll pals, breakfast trays and a stationery caddy finished in Resene testpots.
Find out how to create your own.
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