Kaiapoi residents install CCTV cameras to ‘take their streets back’
By local democracy reporter David Hill:
Residents in a Canterbury housing development have raised funds to install their own CCTV cameras amid fears of burglaries and car thefts.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey joined with residents in the Kaiapoi suburb of Sovereign Palms last week to mark the installation of the first CCTV camera.
‘‘This is a good example of a community standing up for themselves and deciding they’ve had enough of their homes being broken into and taking back some control,’’ Doocey said.
‘‘It is a way to take their streets back.’’
Despite a recent spike in crime, North Canterbury remained one of the safest communities in New Zealand, North Canterbury police said.
The region's growing population and improved transport access were contributing to a changing environment in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.
Residents have been fundraising to install the CCTV cameras, with help from police, the Waimakariri District Council and North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support.
Doocey said the community-led initiative started after resident Wendy Tait approached him when her campervan was stolen.
After looking into the installation of CCTV cameras by the Hurunui District Council, Doocey called a meeting in Kaiapoi last year.
Nearly 300 people attended and decided to fundraise for CCTV cameras to be installed in Sovereign Palms.
North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support helped residents by holding the raised funds.
Manager Dalice Stewart said the Sovereign Palms residents were still raising funds, with the goal of having three cameras in place by the end of the year.
Communities in Kaiapoi's Siliverstream, Rangiora, Woodend and Pegasus have expressed an interest in having cameras.
‘‘It really needs someone to step up and drive it,’’ Stewart said.
Retired police officer Ken Eccles, of Nelson, was helping community groups to navigate the legal and technical requirements, she said.
Pegasus Residents Group Inc vice-president Heidi Wood said the group has identified some sites for CCTV cameras and hoped to roll out phase one soon.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the council had a network of CCTV cameras in central Kaiapoi, Rangiora and Oxford and it supported developing a community-led of cameras similar to the Hurunui model.
‘‘Our district has an excellent service provided by Neighbourhood Support and the community patrols working to keep our communities safe.
‘‘I’m sure additional cameras would complement the work they do and would be well received.’’
CCTV cameras were instrumental in helping police identify the offender after a pounamu carving was stolen in Hanmer Springs four years ago.
Canterbury rural police area commander Inspector Peter Cooper said CCTV cameras are a valuable crime prevention tool.
Police engaged with councils to discuss crime trends and the best places to install cameras.
‘‘Nationally, a number of local authorities operate and may monitor crime prevention CCTV networks to help reduce the incidence of crime and disorder, so that members of the community feel safe when visiting the public areas covered by the cameras.’’
Camera footage could be used to track criminals, provided the use of CCTV cameras and sharing of data complied with the Privacy Act 2020.
■ The cost is about $4000 for the first camera. To make donation, contact North Canterbury Neighbourhood Support at ncns.org.nz.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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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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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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