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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Braided river bird advocates are fearing for the safety of nesting sites on the Ashley River ahead of Crate Day this Saturday.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group has taken to social media to raise its concerns, with four-wheel-drives expected to be out… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Braided river bird advocates are fearing for the safety of nesting sites on the Ashley River ahead of Crate Day this Saturday.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group has taken to social media to raise its concerns, with four-wheel-drives expected to be out in force on the river bed.
Crate Day is an ‘‘unofficial holiday’’ held on the first Saturday in December and last year it is thought between 150 and 200 4WDs were on the Ashley River bed.
Committee member Judith Hughey says birds, chicks and nests are not easily seen.
‘‘Last year I was observing at the entry point at the Okuku bridge and on the river just to see what happens. I was shocked by the number of vehicles, possibly 150 or more.’’
Last year Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group volunteers, Department of Conservation (DOC) staff and Environment Canterbury park rangers were out in force to monitor the 4WDs, but were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers, she said.
She said most participants ‘‘did not seem to be malicious’’, but were unaware of the damage they could have caused.
‘‘At least one driver went out of his/her way to destroy signs advising of nesting birds.
‘‘A vehicle came within centimetres of one nest, but no nests were found to have been destroyed.
‘‘At least two nests contained small chicks, which would have been unable to move away from a vehicle.’’
Four-wheel-drive enthusiasts responded on Facebook, saying they were aware of the nest locations and ‘‘do their best to avoid them’’.
Drivers said they had ‘‘legal rights as tax payers to legally drive down a river’’ and suggested DOC should ‘‘put more effort into identifying and fencing off the nesting areas’’.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury schools are bucking the trend when it comes to school attendance in the wake of Covid.
While education leaders around the country are lamenting high absentee rates, North Canterbury principals are collaborating to support staff and … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury schools are bucking the trend when it comes to school attendance in the wake of Covid.
While education leaders around the country are lamenting high absentee rates, North Canterbury principals are collaborating to support staff and whānau.
Former North Canterbury principal Simon Green, who now works as a leadership adviser with Evaluation Associates, supporting principals and boards of trustees across Otago and Canterbury, says there has been ‘‘a noticeable dip in attendance’’. Green is also Rangiora High School board of trustees chairperson.
‘‘There is a definite trend across Otago and Canterbury since Covid, where school attendance hasn’t tracked back as quickly as teachers would like.
‘‘It is a massive concern and something needs to happen to re-engage families before the start of next year.’’
But Green has been impressed with how his former colleagues have adapted.
‘‘North Canterbury schools are working hard and trying different things to improve engagement through the Kahui Ako (local education clusters). One of the strengths in North Canterbury is that the principals are close-knit. They work well together and support each other.’’
Under Ministry of Education guidelines, 90 percent attendance is the ideal, while less than 70% attendance (30% absence) is considered ‘‘chronically absent’’.
Recent media reports, quoting politicians, have used the term ‘‘chronically truant’’.
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said the school has been achieving about 80% attendance, which he said was ‘‘pretty good’’ considering the isolation rules earlier in the year and high levels of sickness.
‘‘How many industries have staff attendance at over 90% over the year during Covid? Do politicians have 90% attendance in Parliament? I would suggest there would be hardly any businesses at 90%, so why are we yelling at schools, when schools are just a reflection of the reality we are in?’’
Kaiapoi High School principal Jason Reid said his school has been contacted by the Ministry of Education wanting to learn more about how it is managing a low absentee rate.
He said the school’s success is in building relationships.
Students are divided into tutor groups (form classes) of about 15 students, with focus on wellbeing. Tutors follow up when students are absent, with tutors and deans contacting whānau when needed.
‘‘It is all about that communication, because sometimes the family doesn’t realise things have gone sideways.’’
By communicating with whānau, Reid said the school has been able to address any misunderstandings around isolation requirements.
‘‘I have empathy for other school principals dealing with high absence rates because of the complexity of human beings and the environment we are operating in. It could be us tomorrow.’’
Oxford Area School principal Mike Hart said about half of his students have about 90% attendance, with about one-third achieving 80% to 90%.
The September figures presented to the board of trustees had 7.2% listed as ‘‘chronically absent’’, compared to 7.7% nationwide.
Hart said families are experiencing higher levels of sickness than normal with Covid and the return of the flu. ‘‘The sickness pattern we are seeing is it is not just a day or two, but it is severe enough to put a student out for a week or more.’’
He said Covid had forced people to be more vigilant around symptoms, which was contributing to absence rates. With the border being open again, some families are also taking extended breaks to visit loved ones. Online learning options wee being offered so students could learn from home.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View moreShare a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.
Ends 21 December 2022
What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?
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Homed newsletter keeps you on top of the real estate market, takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, give you a taste of how celebrities live, keep you up to date with interior trends, provide project ideas, and more. Be inspired to dream big about your own space - and get on the path to making those dreams come true. Sign up for free here.
Once again I am running a fundraiser for the Canterbury Region of the NZ Williams Syndrome Association. Each region in NZ tries to raise money for their biannual camp in Whanganui, January 2023. We haven't been able to hold the camp for 2 years now, due to covid, but we now have 4 days … View moreOnce again I am running a fundraiser for the Canterbury Region of the NZ Williams Syndrome Association. Each region in NZ tries to raise money for their biannual camp in Whanganui, January 2023. We haven't been able to hold the camp for 2 years now, due to covid, but we now have 4 days planned of wonderful learning, challenges, talent shows and connection.
So it's time once again to have a clean out of your sheds & garages for any Used Lead Batteries you have been meaning to take to the recycling depo. Cars, trucks, tractors, motorbikes, lawnmowers, solar etc etc. If you contact me on 0274655995 to arrange pickup. Please talk to your friends and families about this too, that would be much appreciated, Jenny McClintock.
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28 Papawai drive Rangiora 027 9373969
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Mags4Gifts is your one-stop shop for all of … View moreWe are giving 10 lucky winners $1,000 cash each this Christmas, to enter all you have to do is make a purchase on Mags4Gifts. Spoil your loved ones by gifting them a subscription or treat yourself to your favourite magazine or newspaper subscription.
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Hi, I am starting up my own graphic design business, so if you need a logo, branding, social media adverts, signage, stationery, flags or garments, give me call.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
A quarry to excavate gravel could be established at Okuku River, north of Rangiora.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) has confirmed it has received a resource consent application from Darwin Earthworks Ltd to excavate gravel from the Okuku River bed, to … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
A quarry to excavate gravel could be established at Okuku River, north of Rangiora.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) has confirmed it has received a resource consent application from Darwin Earthworks Ltd to excavate gravel from the Okuku River bed, to install temporary culverts and to disturb the river bed.
A permit to discharge contaminants to air, as a result of excavation works, has also been sought.
Darwin Earthworks Ltd is the landowner of the property at 216 Riverside Rd.
The application says the company plans to use the material for further local development and construction activities.
An ECan spokesperson said the council is conducting an assessment of the project’s environmental effects.
If those effects were considered to be ‘‘more than minor’’, the resource consent would be publicly notified, as required under Section 95A of the Resource Management Act.
‘‘When we make a decision on a resource consent, we consider the effects on the natural environment and how the activity will affect other people's use and enjoyment of the environment,’’ the spokesperson said.
ECan is awaiting expert advice on the consent proposals before making ‘‘a notification assessment’’.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
By reporter Tatiana Gibbs:
Artisan by Rangiora Bakery is officially home to New Zealand’s best stollen, taking out the top spot in the 2022 Baking New Zealand Christmas Competition.
The North Canterbury favourite pulled out a special family recipe in their mission to be crowned the … View moreBy reporter Tatiana Gibbs:
Artisan by Rangiora Bakery is officially home to New Zealand’s best stollen, taking out the top spot in the 2022 Baking New Zealand Christmas Competition.
The North Canterbury favourite pulled out a special family recipe in their mission to be crowned the country's best.
A stollen is a European Christmas bread, loaded with fruits, nuts, marzipan and coated with powdered or icing sugar.
The bakery’s general manager, Frank Janssen, used an original family recipe from his forefather’s bakery back home in Holland, and with the help of his Rangiora team, created their own signature stollen.
“That recipe is very traditional and lovely to eat. For the competition we wanted to enrich it a bit more with spice and nuts. We wanted a nutty flavour and the warmth of the spice to come through,” Janssen said.
“Even the marzipan core of our stollen was made from scratch in the bakery.”
Continue reading here.
On Monday, 21 November, the Supreme Court ruled that preventing 16 and 17-year-olds from voting is 'unjustified age discrimination'.
The current age of voting is 18 in New Zealand and lobby group Make It 16 have been running a youth-led campaign advocating for the vote to be extended … View moreOn Monday, 21 November, the Supreme Court ruled that preventing 16 and 17-year-olds from voting is 'unjustified age discrimination'.
The current age of voting is 18 in New Zealand and lobby group Make It 16 have been running a youth-led campaign advocating for the vote to be extended to our 16 and 17-year-olds.
“This is history,” said Make It 16 co-director Caeden Tipler. “Today New Zealand’s highest court has confirmed that stopping young people from voting is a breach of our human rights...The government and Parliament cannot ignore such a clear legal and moral message. They must let us vote.”
Share your thoughts below - these may be published in the We Say You Say column of the local papers.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
The Waimakariri council will seek Three Waters funding, while maintaining its opposition to the proposed reform.
Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to authorise a funding application to the Department of Internal … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
The Waimakariri council will seek Three Waters funding, while maintaining its opposition to the proposed reform.
Councillors voted unanimously at an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday to authorise a funding application to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) for $5.54 million of ‘‘Better Off’’ funding.
The application was approved with the insertion of clauses into the draft funding agreement designed to protect the council’s opposition to the government’s proposed reform programme.
The clauses were prepared by law firm Anderson and Lloyd and protect the council’s membership of lobby group Communities 4 Local Democracy.
Mayor Dan Gordon said the funding was a good opportunity for the council to complete some projects which it would otherwise not be able to do in the short term.
The original draft agreement from DIA contained clauses which appeared to prevent councils from opposing the reform agenda.
‘‘They are apparently standard wording in DIA agreements, so perhaps they haven’t been read closely enough in the past,’’ Gordon said.
‘‘But the clauses from Anderson and Lloyd have preserved our principles around Three Waters.’’
Waimakariri District Council strategy, engagement and economic development general manager Simon Hart said initial indications from DIA staff suggested the new clauses may not be acceptable to DIA.
‘‘We sought some advice and we were given several options, we could proceed as planned with the new clauses, or we could delete the offending DIA clauses, we could just go with the standard agreement or not proceed at all.’’
Hart said the recommendation was to proceed with the new clauses ‘‘and we can always revisit it, if it is rejected’’.
Should the application be successful, the council will place a focus on climate change projects.
Elderly persons’ housing, the Kaiapoi to Woodend cycle way, the Rangiora civic precinct project and a Kāinga Nohoanga Strategy project in Māori Reserve 873 were also included.
Councillor Philip Redmond said he was initially going to oppose the funding application, but changed his mind on the basis of the new clauses being inserted.
An assurance from opposition Three Waters spokesperson Simon Watts that National would not require the money to be repaid, should it win next year’s election, had also helped to sway his vote.
‘‘We are effectively receiving a deposit towards our assets and even if we were to turn this payment down we won’t necessarily lose it if there is no change of government.
‘‘But if we don’t accept it now and there is a change of government, the money probably wouldn’t be offered again.’’
The Waimakariri District Council is eligible for up to $22.18m of ‘‘Better Off’’ funding, including up to $5.54m in the first tranche.
The ‘‘Better Off’’ funding is for a five-year programme and projects would be subject to final approval from the council’s utilities and roading committee and will likely be considered as part of the council’s annual plan process.
Hi there,
I would just like to thank all the lovely people who have sent messages, shared my poster and donated. I only have $100 left to my goal!! Thank you so much 😊
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