Hurunui District newsletter
Hurunui District news is brought to you by the team at Northern Outlook
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
Residents evacuated after fire tore through vegetation in North Canterbury’s Waikari Valley have been given the all-clear to return home, fire bosses confirmed.
Anna Engelbrecht said “it’s been a relief” to find their house unscathed after an intense evacuation late Sunday, complicated … View moreResidents evacuated after fire tore through vegetation in North Canterbury’s Waikari Valley have been given the all-clear to return home, fire bosses confirmed.
Anna Engelbrecht said “it’s been a relief” to find their house unscathed after an intense evacuation late Sunday, complicated by her husband’s rare neuromuscular disease.
In the span of 30 minutes, he could be unable to move or breath, Anna said, and stressful situations made things worse.
“For me it was: I need to get him out, I need to get him out.”
The pair fled their house with flames on the horizon after a change in wind direction put them in danger.
Many in the community got little sleep overnight Sunday, and some were forced from their properties by the the blaze, which broke out about 8pm and spread over 300 hectares.
Five helicopters and 80 ground crews of firefighters battled the fire on Monday, when it was fanned by high winds, and fire authorities warned it will not likely be fully extinguished for several days.
On Monday afternoon, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) assistant commander Des Irving said residents could now return home but implored them to “be vigilant” and encouraged them to use common sense in the dry and hot conditions.
He praised the way local residents had reacted to the blaze.
“They’ve been amazing, we’re really appreciative of the residents and their support.
“It is never easy to leave your home at short notice like these people had to do last night, but safety is always the priority.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known, but the source has been pinpointed, he said.
No livestock has been reported as lost, nor any structures lost or damaged.
The Amberley Fire Brigade is diving headfirst into a 24-hour swimming challenge to support those battling mental health struggles.
This weekend - February 24 and 25 - the team will brave the waters of Amberley Pool, symbolising the resilience required to navigate mental health challenges.
… View moreThe Amberley Fire Brigade is diving headfirst into a 24-hour swimming challenge to support those battling mental health struggles.
This weekend - February 24 and 25 - the team will brave the waters of Amberley Pool, symbolising the resilience required to navigate mental health challenges.
"As frontline responders, we witness the toll that mental health challenges take on individuals and families. We wanted to do something physically demanding to symbolise the strength needed to overcome these struggles,” Chris Reeves, one of the organising firefighters participating in the swim, said.
To kick off the fundraising initiative, the brigade will host a Gala Dinner on Friday, February 23.
Hosted by league star Richie Barnett, the event promises live music, delectable cuisine, and a live auction featuring exclusive items.
The Gala aims to raise funds for youth mental health charity I Am Hope, which currently needs $500,000 monthly to provide essential counselling services through its Gumboot Friday platform.
“The commitment and determination shown by the Amberley Fire Brigade in organising this event and taking on a gruelling challenge and organising this massive dinner is legendary. Their efforts will make a huge difference in supporting our mission to provide free counselling and mental health support to young people across New Zealand," I Am Hope founder Mike King said.
“We owe it to these amazing people in our community, like the Amberley Fire Brigade, for keeping our support going strong for kids who need it most."
Reeves encouraged local businesses and individuals to show their support by booking tables or sponsoring the event.
"This glamorous evening promises to be the highlight of the calendar, and we urge the community to join us in our mission to support mental health," he said.
KEY INFORMATION
Gala dinner: February 23, 6p, at the Amberley Tin Shed, Amberley Domain
Swim date: 12pm Saturday, February 24 to 12pm on Sunday, February 25 at Amberley Pool
Price: Table of 10 - $1500
Book your table now by emailing hamish@hpa.co.nz
Sponsorships: Gold - $4000 / Bronze - $2500
Donate: givealittle.co.nz...
We're looking for delicious carrot recipes to feature in NZ Gardener's April issue. Send your family's favourite ways to eat this easy-to-grow vege crop to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by February 25, 2024. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ Gardener.
Monster Garage Sale!!!!!!
Kitty Kingdom Cat Rescue are holding a monster garage sale to raise much needed funds for the cats and Kittens in our care.
When?
Saturday 24 February from 9.00am until 3.00pm.
… View moreMonster Garage Sale!!!!!!
Kitty Kingdom Cat Rescue are holding a monster garage sale to raise much needed funds for the cats and Kittens in our care.
When?
Saturday 24 February from 9.00am until 3.00pm.
Where?
The McAlpines Pipe Band Hall, in the Rangiora New World car park.
What’s for sale?
Bric-a-brac * heaps of books * adult and children’s clothing * toys * kitchenware* household items * teddy bears * mirrors * plants * baking * sports items * jewellery * handbags * DVD’s * games * craft items * puzzles * pet toys and pet products * picture frames * cushions * blankets * and more!!!!!
Come and bag yourself a bargain and help us to help the cats and kittens! We look forward to seeing you there!
Please note that no goodies or treasures will be available for sale until the start time of 9.00am.
It could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list - $15,000 back for a limited time*.
… View moreIt could be our wonderful staff. Our vibrant communities. Our amazing amenities. Or just the peace of mind that our guaranteed fixed base weekly fee* brings. There are so many reasons to choose the Ryman lifestyle. We’d love to add one more reason to your list - $15,000 back for a limited time*.
If you sign up to one of our new home offers, you’ll get a $15,000 credit on settlement*.
There’s truly never been a better time to choose Ryman.
*Terms and conditions apply.
Hey neighbours! How has your power been treating you lately? Any sparks or stumbles in the past year?
Share the woes and let's brighten each other's day!
Corokia Gentys Green is a hardy New Zealand native plant with a small compact leaf. Very versatile - excellent for background planting, shelter, and clipped hedging. Perfect for hedging or as an individual specimen to add to your garden. Great for boundary.$4 per plant. Around 100 available. $4 per… View moreCorokia Gentys Green is a hardy New Zealand native plant with a small compact leaf. Very versatile - excellent for background planting, shelter, and clipped hedging. Perfect for hedging or as an individual specimen to add to your garden. Great for boundary.$4 per plant. Around 100 available. $4 per plant
February already and we are up and running ready for a great year. Meetings are every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Mainpower Oval Clubrooms - the Cricket Club - starting at 7 pm. We have speakers, competitions - which are optional, and Camera Craft nights when we learn more about our … View moreFebruary already and we are up and running ready for a great year. Meetings are every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month at the Mainpower Oval Clubrooms - the Cricket Club - starting at 7 pm. We have speakers, competitions - which are optional, and Camera Craft nights when we learn more about our cameras etc. Next meeting - 20th February we have the well known photographer Kevin Clark - a most amusing speaker and along with the laughter we can learn so much. Everyone is welcome.
Hi. Wanting to buy secondhand books for Uni. "The Bedford Handbook" 11th edition,
"Writing for Psychology" 2013. Please pm if you have these available for a good price, i.e cheaper than new, lol. Thank you, Tania
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rapid growth at North Canterbury schools due to new housing developments is set to put pressure on classroom space.
Kaiapoi and Rangiora high schools have seen their roll size jump, while Amuri Area School is hoping some long-awaited new classrooms will… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rapid growth at North Canterbury schools due to new housing developments is set to put pressure on classroom space.
Kaiapoi and Rangiora high schools have seen their roll size jump, while Amuri Area School is hoping some long-awaited new classrooms will be built this year.
Principal Jason Reid said he expected Kaiapoi High School’s roll to pass 1050 for the first time this year, up from 450 in 2012.
A redevelopment of the school in 2018 boosted its maximum roll to 1100.
Reid said he has started speaking with the Ministry of Education about stage 2 of the development, which would allow for another building.
‘‘We have the land, so the key is what does it look like.
‘‘It needs to be carefully managed because we need to look long term and not just for the next five years.’’
Local primary schools, including Woodend School and Te Kura o Tuahiwi, have also experienced rapid growth as more houses are developed in Woodend, Ravenswood and Pegasus.
Kaiapoi’s population of 13,000 is projected to grow by 52% over the next 30 years, based on Stats NZ’s high growth scenario.
However, Reid said the school did not want to lose its community feel.
The school had just 450 students when Reid’s predecessor Bruce Kearney arrived in Kaiapoi in 2012
Kearney approached the Ministry of Education about the need for the new building, before moving to Rangiora High School nearly two years ago.
Ministry of Education Te Tai Runga (south) Hautū (leader) Nancy Bell said Kaiapoi High School has planned for a future capacity of 1800 students.
‘‘Roll growth would only be considered when there are increased numbers of in-zone students.’’
Rangiora High School’s roll was set to top 1750 students this year, including 400 year 9s and up up from 1660 last year.
The school’s roll was nearly 1800 in 2016, before dropping back to 1600 the following year, after the board of trustees was replaced by a commissioner.
‘‘It is not just about population growth. It shows people value what their local school has to offer and that hasn’t always been the case,’’ Kearney said.
He feared the Ministry of Education may reduce Kaiapoi’s zone, with Rangiora High School picking up more students.
Bell said Rangiora High School has a permanent capacity for 1740 students, with temporary onsite space for 1940 students.
‘‘We continue to monitor the rolls and capacity of all schools in the catchment to manage the network, with no current plan for a new primary or high school in the Waimakariri district.’’
Rangiora High School uses old prefab classrooms across the road, which were owned by the board of trustees.
But presiding member Simon Green said the board was planning to decommission the old prefabs because it wanted to have the entire campus on one site.
He said the board had not spent much time discussing roll growth, with the immediate focus on building a new cultural and learning centre, installing walls in the open plan Rakahuri building, a revamp of the school farm and planning a new performing arts centre.
Amuri Area School principal Matt Barlow (pictured) said his school roll finished last year on 375 students and he predicted more growth this year.
Planning for new classrooms began under his predecessor James Griggs, but the Ministry of Education had yet to set a date for the build.
‘‘Whether you are at 1750 or 350, the challenges are similar and you can only control what your site and your staffing allows,’’ Barlow said.
He said the growth was due to the booming tourism in Hanmer Springs and the influx of migrant workers on local dairy farms.
Kaiapoi High School’s board of trustees was contacted for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
This week, we're celebrating love in all its forms, with some of our residents celebrating by sharing cherished memories, including their wedding dresses and the beautiful stories behind them.
An array of wedding dresses, ranging from the modern to the traditional, were on display along … View moreThis week, we're celebrating love in all its forms, with some of our residents celebrating by sharing cherished memories, including their wedding dresses and the beautiful stories behind them.
An array of wedding dresses, ranging from the modern to the traditional, were on display along with dozens of amazing wedding photos dating back to the 1800s in a nod to Valentine’s Day.
“With it being Valentine’s Day this week, we wanted something that would be inclusive of all the residents, those who are still lucky enough to have their partners but also those sharing happy memories of those that they have lost.”
Click read more for the full story.
The Pet Life.
It’s the life you share with your pet, and the life they share with you. We believe the pet life’s a life worth protecting.
Which is why we are dedicated to helping pets live longer, healthier and happier lives every day.
We’re proudly born and bred in New Zealand, and … View moreThe Pet Life.
It’s the life you share with your pet, and the life they share with you. We believe the pet life’s a life worth protecting.
Which is why we are dedicated to helping pets live longer, healthier and happier lives every day.
We’re proudly born and bred in New Zealand, and are equally proud to partner with the NZ Veterinary Association and Pet Refuge. Just two ways we’re there to support the Pet Life community.
Protect the Pet Life.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui ratepayers can expect hefty rate rises over the next two years.
Average rate rises of 12.41% for this year and 14.14% for next year (2025-26) have been signalled in the Hurunui District Council’s draft long-term plan (LTP).
Speaking at an … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Hurunui ratepayers can expect hefty rate rises over the next two years.
Average rate rises of 12.41% for this year and 14.14% for next year (2025-26) have been signalled in the Hurunui District Council’s draft long-term plan (LTP).
Speaking at an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday, chief financial officer Jason Beck said he expected the rates rise to drop below 5% in 2026-27.
He said the proposed rate rises are in line with other councils and reflected the significant cost increases and impacts of regulatory changes the council faced.
The council was also continuing to upgrade its three waters infrastructure over the next two years.
Deputy mayor Vince Daly questioned whether ‘‘rates smoothing’’ could be introduced to spread the impact of rate increases over the next three years.
‘‘A lot of people are on fixed incomes, so I think we need to look at balancing it out instead of having two big rate increases and then going under 5%.’’
Beck said some form of ‘‘rates smoothing’’ was possible by spreading out debt repayments.
‘‘It can be done. It doesn’t move the cost, but it moves the funding of the cost from the rates in year one out to years two and three.’’
Chief executive Hamish Dobbie said he was not in favour of ‘‘rates smoothing’’.
‘‘We’ve done it before and something else always happens and we end up having to push the rates up to cover extra debt.’’
An expenditure of $368.6 million was proposed over the next 10 years, with roading ($160.8m) the biggest expense, followed by three waters ($142.6m) and other capital expenditure including the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa ($65.2m).
Beck said funding social housing was also proving to be a headache.
The initial budget allowed for a 10% yearly rent increase, but this was found to be unsustainable and has been reduced to 5%.
Social housing ownership will be reviewed as part of the LLT consultation document.
‘‘We have a social conscience, so we want to have the provision of social housing, but we need to look at what our long term commitment is,’’ mayor Marie Black said.
The council’s debt level was expected to peak at $142m in 2030-31, before dropping back to $116m in 2033-34.
This equates to a debt to revenue ratio of as high as 161.29%, so is dependant on a change in the Treasury policy which limits it to 125%, Beck said.
The council will meet again on March 26 to adopt the draft LTP for consultation.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Experiencing broadband troubles? Our recent neighbourly poll reveals the top two issues: unstable connections and pricey bills!
Don't worry! Check out our latest article for expert tips to solve these issues.
PLUS, use Broadband Compare to compare NZ's best broadband deals & … View moreExperiencing broadband troubles? Our recent neighbourly poll reveals the top two issues: unstable connections and pricey bills!
Don't worry! Check out our latest article for expert tips to solve these issues.
PLUS, use Broadband Compare to compare NZ's best broadband deals & save up to $300/year. Enjoy smoother internet while keeping cash for treats!
Good sized plants. Looks like buxus when grown but grows at twice the speed. Tiny oval dark green leaves. Plant in full sun or semi shade. Ideal plant to shape into balls cones etc perfect for planting now $3.50 per plant
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
