Canterbury students take action on vaping after store opens across the road
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Pupils at one school are taking action to stop young people becoming addicted to vaping, while a principal at another says the problem is bigger for schools than “smoking ever was”.
Student leader Jasper Rosewarne, 12, launched a petition after vape store Hukka Woodend opened across the road from the school recently.
“When I heard that there was a vaping store opening across the road from our school, I didn’t like it because I don’t want young people exposed to vapes,” he said.
The student leaders reached out to Jasper’s father, Labour list MP Dan Rosewarne and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey for advice.
They planned to present the petition to Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon and were calling on the vape store owner to take measures to protect young people in the community.
The students suggested closing the store when children were going to and from school, no signage on School Rd facing the school, having merchandise locked away where young people could not see it and no seating outside where young people could loiter.
The store’s advertised opening hours were 10am to 7pm.
The sale and supply of vape products has an age restriction of 18 years, but local schools said large numbers of their students had been exposed to it.
Earlier this month, the Waimakariri District Council expressed concern at the lack of regulations around vaping and the lack of enforcement of the age restriction.
Rosewarne said he visited the store and attempted to arrange a meeting with the owner, but had yet to receive a response.
Doocey said the community did not want a vape store near the school, but felt powerless to stop it.
He called for legislation restricting the number of vape stores and where they could be located.
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said vaping was a bigger problem for schools than “smoking ever was”.
Smokers were easy to spot as there would be smoke and you could smell it on their breath.
“But with vaping it is almost impossible to catch people, and some of the vapes look like a highlighter.”
Vaping was creating anti-social behaviour, as pupils congregated around toilets and prevented others from entering.
Given the age restriction, Kearney questioned how his pupils were getting hold of vape products.
“I have no idea how they get it, but someone is breaking the law.”
But he noted when pupils did get caught with vape “90% of the time the parents are fully aware of their vaping habits”.
Kaiapoi High School principal Jason Reid said while vaping was less harmful than tobacco, there were too many unknowns when it came to the long term effects.
“The teenage brain is highly malleable, it is still developing and nicotine, like any psychoactive substance, can have significant negative effects on this process.”
He called for regulations to make vapes “flavour-free” and as a prescription-only medication to help people give up smoking.
Rangiora New Life School principal Stephen Walters said his school was working with parents of pupils who had become addicted to vaping.
“As a chemistry teacher with a knowledge of chemicals and their effects, I have very real concerns about the chemicals that growing young lungs are being exposed to.”
A Hukka Woodend spokesperson said the store had strict policy where no-one under-18 was allowed to enter the store, even with a parent or guardian.
There was no signage on School Rd, but there were signs facing Main North Rd and there was no seating outside the store.
Hukka Woodend did not promote any of its products, as guided by the Vaping Regulatory Authority, the spokesperson said.
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The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
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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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