Anzac Day service delayed at Culverden
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury community will have to wait an extra year before hosting an Anzac Day service.
Fundraising for a new war memorial for Culverden has proven to be tougher than anticipated, says Culverden Community Committee member Craig Ritchie.
Culverden was due to host this year’s Amuri area Anzac Day service, but the Waiau community has stepped up as this year’s host.
The committee launched a fundraising drive in September last year, after the memorial design, estimated to cost $150,000, was approved with the support of the Hurunui District Council.
‘‘We never really understood how difficult it is to apply for funding,’’ Ritchie said.
‘‘We would have liked to have had it up and running this year.
‘‘We have had good support from contractors, who have agreed to keep to the same quotes for the time being.’’
As the Culverden Community Committee is not a registered entity, it has made the process more difficult in applying for grants.
The memorial design is based on a corten steel memorial at Leyland in England, with the shape of a soldier cut out and standing 9m high.
The Culverden version will be 6m high, with a poppy and the words ‘‘Lest We Forget’’ on the front.
The memorial will have lights to light it up at night.
It will be placed in the Rutherford Reserve, next to Amuri Area School.
The Hurunui District Council’s Amuri Community Committee, has approved the use of $56,000 in funds held in trust from the sale of the Culverden Drill Hall in the 1980s.
The committee has received $5000 in donations from the community and a $10,000 grant from the Trusts Community Foundation.
The Hurunui District Council has applied to the Lottery Environment and Heritage Fund for $50,000 on the committee’s behalf.
Ritchie is hopeful the council will fund the balance, which will allow the war memorial to be ready for next year’s Anzac Day service.
Amuri area Anzac Day services alternate between Waiau, Rotherham and Culverden.
Culverden last hosted the Anzac Day service in 2021, with the community gathering at the Culverden Volunteer Fire Brigade rooms, before crossing the busy Mountainview Road to a set of memorial gates.
■ The Amuri area Anzac Day service will be held at Waiau. Gather at the Waiau Hall at 9.50am, for a 10am service, before a short walk to the memorial and back to the hall for morning tea.
The Culverden Community Committee is organising an autumn cull cow drive as a fundraiser for the war memorial fund.
Contact Craig Ritchie on 027-4705388 for more information.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Officials discuss ways to protect flood-prone beach settlement
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
‘‘Pragmatic’’ solutions have been suggested for a flood prone North Canterbury beach settlement.
Gore Bay, near Cheviot, is a popular coastal holiday spot, but faces threats from flooding and sea level rise.
The Hurunui District Council is creating a coastal adaptation plan for Gore Bay and is working with Environment Canterbury to plan for flood protection for the Jed River and Buxton Creek.
Deputy mayor Vince Daly said the creek and river were prone to flooding in heavy rain events, leaving the Buxton Campground and the coastal road vulnerable to flooding.
‘‘The creek builds up when it is in flood, and the shingle builds up, preventing it from flowing out to sea.’’
Daly said Environment Canterbury presented some ‘‘pragmatic’’ solutions at a recent meeting with Gore Bay / Port Robinson Reserve Advisory Group.
A Hurunui District Council report presented to the Cheviot Community Committee in February said the flood hazard was increasing due to the formation of a lagoon between the river and the creek mouths.
The intensity of recent rain events was increasing the erosion threat to the campground’s banks and to land around the bridge abutments.
Environment Canterbury regional lead river operations, Cliff Thomas, said options presented to the community had exceeded the budget set for the project.
An engineering consultant is now assessing the options and will provide a design for Environment Canterbury staff to consider.
‘‘A channel could be cut to allow the river to let water flows out to the ocean when certain conditions are met, such as flood risk due to high rainfall,’’ Thomas said.
‘‘However, a consent would be required to do this.’’
Longer term sea level rise posed a threat to the access road and to the Buxton and Gore Bay Camping Grounds, Daly said.
‘‘The elevation of the houses means slips are probably a bigger issue for residents than sea level rise, but it does pose a risk to the road.
‘‘This is one of the best Canterbury beaches and it is a very popular spot.’’
The Hurunui District Council began its ‘‘Coastal Conversations’’ project alongside five beach communities in 2020.
Three coastal adaptation plans have been completed for Amberley Beach, Leithfield Beach and Motunau, while the council is also working with the Gore Bay and Conway Flat/Claverley beach communities.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
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84.2% Yes
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13.8% No
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2% Other - I'll share below!
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