Thank you for using Neighbourly
Due to changes in population and to better meet legislative requirements, we’re proposing changes to Council representation:
▶️ Moving the boundary of the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency to include Ashburton district. The name of the constituency would be changed to … View moreDue to changes in population and to better meet legislative requirements, we’re proposing changes to Council representation:
▶️ Moving the boundary of the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency to include Ashburton district. The name of the constituency would be changed to Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi, and it would still have two Councillors.
▶️ Selwyn district would become its own constituency, Selwyn/Waikiriri, with two Councillors.
▶️ Constituency boundaries in Christchurch would be realigned to match the current Christchurch City Council ward boundaries.
Tell us what you think ? www.ecan.govt.nz...
Consultation closes 2 Sept 2024.
A splash of Resene red transforms a rumpty old ladder into a handy stool or nifty shelves.
Find out how to repurpose your old ladder.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Something has been missing at Ashburton's council meetings since it moved to a new home at Te Whare Whakatere.
The royal gaze.
The late Queen Elizabeth’s photo had adorned the council chambers for almost 40 years, keeping a watchful eye on… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Something has been missing at Ashburton's council meetings since it moved to a new home at Te Whare Whakatere.
The royal gaze.
The late Queen Elizabeth’s photo had adorned the council chambers for almost 40 years, keeping a watchful eye on the district’s democracy in action.
Her portrait remained in the old council chamber on Havelock St until the council made the move to Te Whare Whakatere in January.
Even though King Charles III had his coronation in May last year, the council had been waiting for a portrait of the new monarch to go up in the new council chamber, Hine Paaka.
Democracy and engagement group manager Toni Durham said the official photos became available from the Governor General earlier this month.
“We have downloaded a photo which will be printed and framed.
“The mayor will choose the place to hang the photo in the chamber, with advice from the art gallery and museum director.”
Councils choose whether or not to have a portrait of the monarch, and there was no requirement to remove or replace the official photograph of Queen Elizabeth II which was previously displayed in former council chamber, Durham said.
“With the relocation to Te Whare Whakatere, all photos were removed from the old building.
“The photo of Queen Elizabeth has been retained in council’s archive collection at the Ashburton Museum.”
The photo of Queen Elizabeth II was dated 1986, she said.
“We’re not sure when it was placed in the chamber and it may even have been in the Borough Council Chamber too, given that the district council came into operation in October 1989.”
The portrait of King Charles was taken in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in June.
It will be the only portrait or artwork to feature in the chamber.
At a meeting on June 26, the council accepted a gift of a drawing by Cuthbert Denham of the old borough council and public library building built in 1884 into the civic art collection.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan asked if any artwork would be hung in Hine Paaka, acknowledging they were waiting for the King’s portrait.
Ashburton Art Gallery director Shirin Khosraviani said that it wasn’t deemed suitable to include the council chamber in the artwork rotation plan because the hanging requires screwing any frames to the wall and the chamber's maple beech panelling can’t be repaired.
Is your dad superb with sandpaper, pristine with a palette knife and perfect with a paintbrush? Or maybe he's risky with a roller, mad with masking tape and comedic when cutting in? Either way we'd like to hear about your DIY dad and why he deserves to win this Father's Day.
Tell… View moreIs your dad superb with sandpaper, pristine with a palette knife and perfect with a paintbrush? Or maybe he's risky with a roller, mad with masking tape and comedic when cutting in? Either way we'd like to hear about your DIY dad and why he deserves to win this Father's Day.
Tell us about your DIY dad for a chance to win him $1000 worth of Resene paint products!
Plus all entries will be in with a chance to win their DIY Dad one of our colourful spot prizes.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Buckets in Ashburton’s new library aren’t for playing with, or an art installation.
They are to deal with a leak in Te Whare Whakatere, the Ashburton District Council's new library and civic centre that opened in January.
Chief executive… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Buckets in Ashburton’s new library aren’t for playing with, or an art installation.
They are to deal with a leak in Te Whare Whakatere, the Ashburton District Council's new library and civic centre that opened in January.
Chief executive Hamish Riach confirmed that there had been some minor leaking from the glass atrium above the Pioneer Hall.
“The location appears to be at the edge of the flashing and it may be connected to recent work to replace a nearby double-glazed window.
“It will be fixed as soon as possible.”
The minor leak caused no damage, he said.
When the old library flooded again in November, library staff thought the move to Te Whare Whakatere marked the end of their water-woes.
Library manager Jill Watson has been at the library since 1975 and said at the time it was the worst flooding in the building she had seen, and hopefully the last.
The old building had become prone to leaking following earthquake damage.
After seven months in the new facility, heavy rain this week resulted in two buckets taking up temporary residence in the children’s library.
The historic Pioneer Hall, built in 1916, was absorbed into the new complex and converted into a children’s library.
The old red brick building retained its walls and wonky chimney but had the roof removed, opening it up to the glass atrium.
Contractors replaced a faulty double-glazed glass roof panel in June.
The internal glass on the panel cracked in February and the safety glass has held it in place until a replacement was shipped from China.
Police are aware of reports emerging overnight where people have received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Police officer.
The officer will claim to be from a particular department, tell you that you have been a victim of fraud or scam, and begin to try and obtain further financial … View morePolice are aware of reports emerging overnight where people have received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Police officer.
The officer will claim to be from a particular department, tell you that you have been a victim of fraud or scam, and begin to try and obtain further financial information from you.
People have been directed to go to the bank and withdraw money for evidence of the scam.
This is a scam – no legitimate Police officer will ever ask you to hand over money for any reason.
Overnight we have had five instances of this being reported, people need to be vigilant.
Enquiries into reports of scams of a similar nature received last week remain ongoing.
We appreciate these scammers are convincing, but New Zealand Police will never contact you and ask you to withdraw money. New Zealand Police will also never contact people seeking their banking details, card numbers, PIN or passwords.
Older members of our community are being targeted and Police urge anyone with elderly or vulnerable relatives to make them aware this activity is a scam.
There are instances where legitimate Police officers will contact you as part of their duties.
Remember:
• Police will never ask for details about your bank cards, PIN or passwords over the phone.
• Trust your instincts.
• If something doesn't feel right, or is too good to be true, it probably is.
• If you are uncertain, ask for the officer’s details.
• Hang up, contact 105 and request the officer to contact you.
• Police aren’t in the business of offering prize money.
If you are in the unfortunate position of being a victim of a scam, please report the matter to Police.
Take the chance to upskill yourself on scam awareness, check for further information on the Netsafe website: netsafe.org.nz...
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton councillors will hold a workshop to decide where they stand on the situation at Lake Camp.
There are fears the lake could become little more than a puddle as the water level has dropped dramatically over the last few years.
And there is… View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton councillors will hold a workshop to decide where they stand on the situation at Lake Camp.
There are fears the lake could become little more than a puddle as the water level has dropped dramatically over the last few years.
And there is divided opinion over whether the council should intervene to top up the lake's levels.
Councillor Richard Wilson raised the issue with his fellow councillors at the activity briefing meeting on Wednesday, the first time the council has met since June 26.
With the issue “bubbling along quite strongly” in the community, the council needed to decide its stance, Wilson said.
The Lake Clearwater Residents Association presented the Ashburton Water Zone committee, which Wilson sits on, with a proposal that an organisation seek the resource consent to reinstate the Balmacaan Stream to top up the levels of Lake Camp.
Other agencies aren’t inclined to do anything about it so the district council is “being tossed around” as the ones to take up the resource consent, Wilson said.
Compliance and development group manager Jane Donaldson said it the council’s stance was up to councillors.
The cost of seeking the resource consent could be at least $25,000, she said.
“I don’t know what the chances of success would be, I suspect not high.”
The statutory agencies involved in the Ōtuwharekai working group were not in support of the diversion, she said.
“If you decided as a council you wanted to support it, then you could instruct staff to go ahead and hire consultants to prepare a resource consent application.”
Chief executive Hamish Riach said creating a detailed report on the issue to help make that decision could take months to collate all the complex scientific information, “and I have no doubt it will confirm the need for a resource consent”.
Mayor Neil Brown said the first step is to get an overview of the situation to look into “do we need or want to go further”.
“A workshop might be the best way to advance it.”
Having representatives from ECan, DOC, Te Runanga Arowhenua, Fish and Game, the hut holders and other parties to add the various perspectives would benefit the workshop. he said.
Given the public interest in Lake Camp, the workshop would be public, Riach said.
Councillor Rob Mackle said the issue needed to be addressed quickly and supported action to restore the diversion as right next door to Lake Camp, Lake Clearwater “hasn’t depleted to the same levels” in the same drought conditions.
“It’s basically ECan sitting on their hands again and letting this happen. We need to be in a position to give them a shunt.”
The council has been promoting the area and tourists have been flowing in there, he said.
“We are going to lose those people to another area very quickly and once they start using another lake, coming back here is going to be a big ask.”
We're back with a Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell who is a qualified veterinarian and SPCA’s General Manager Animal Services.
A little bit about Corey:
Corey has an interest in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and biosecurity. He shares his home … View moreWe're back with a Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell who is a qualified veterinarian and SPCA’s General Manager Animal Services.
A little bit about Corey:
Corey has an interest in veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and biosecurity. He shares his home with ostriches, guinea pigs, bees, a rescue tortoiseshell named Lynk, a ragdoll named Oscar, two mini foxies called Chester and Maya and a black Labrador named Bonnie.
Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell is excited to answer your questions on all things animal welfare, whether it's how to best look after your new pet, how to combat separation anxiety or how to report neglect.
↓ Share your questions now ↓
Retirement in New Zealand is evolving as people live longer, healthier lives, and the number of Kiwis who choose to continue working later in life is rising.
Retirement is your time to do what you love. Maybe for you this doesn't mean stopping work altogether; instead, it can mean shifting… View moreRetirement in New Zealand is evolving as people live longer, healthier lives, and the number of Kiwis who choose to continue working later in life is rising.
Retirement is your time to do what you love. Maybe for you this doesn't mean stopping work altogether; instead, it can mean shifting gears to something more fulfilling or pursuing passions that you now have time for. This might mean volunteering, part-time work, or even starting your own business.
Here’s some helpful advice from Ryman residents in the workforce.
Heavy rain, snow and severe gales are set to continue into today for parts of the South Island. MetService has issued a range of warnings and watches due to the snowy, windy and wet weather.
According to MetService, a "complex low" over the Tasman Sea is generating persistent, cold … View moreHeavy rain, snow and severe gales are set to continue into today for parts of the South Island. MetService has issued a range of warnings and watches due to the snowy, windy and wet weather.
According to MetService, a "complex low" over the Tasman Sea is generating persistent, cold easterlies over the South Island, bringing heavy rain, and heavy snow above 400 metres. Southeasterly gales are also to be expected in the west, MetService warned.
What you need to know:
- Orange heavy snow warnings in place until 2pm on Wednesday for the North Canterbury high country and the foothills north of the Rangitata River.
- An orange strong wind warning is in place until 1pm in Westland and Grey Districts. Severe gale easterlies could gust 120 to 130 km/h in isolated exposed places.
- Heavy rain watch for Canterbury Plains from Christchurch northwards and eastern Marlborough until 3pm.
- A treacherous Canterbury State Highway where dozens of people have been injured in icy crashes was still closed on Wednesday due to the snow and ice, as was SH73, SH79 and SH80.
- State Highway 73 Springfield to Castle Hill (Porters Pass) was also closed due to snow and ice, as was State Highway 79 Fairlie, between State Highway 8 and Gudex Rd.
- State Highway 80 Pukaki to Mt Cook (Aoraki Mt Cook Highway) was also closed due to snow and ice.
MetService has urged people to prepare for snow, cold temperatures, and possible power outages.
"If you must travel, drive cautiously, and ensure you have snow chains, sleeping bags, warm clothing, and emergency items."
Check NZTA road closures here before you travel, and weather warnings can be found here on the MetService website.
🚍 Why is boosting biodiversity spending in Ōtautahi/Christchurch and Te Pātaka o Rākaihautū/Banks Peninsula so important? And should pets be allowed to travel on buses?
Regional Councillor Joe Davies, who represents the North East Ōtautahi constituency, gives us his view.
Police can today advise that a year on from her disappearance, remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman, Yanfei Bao.
While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the treeline.
The remains cannot immediately… View morePolice can today advise that a year on from her disappearance, remains have been found in the search for missing Christchurch woman, Yanfei Bao.
While searching private farmland in the Greenpark area this morning, a shallow grave was discovered along the treeline.
The remains cannot immediately be formally identified, and work is now underway to excavate and forensically examine them.
This news has been shared with Yanfei’s immediate family, and while long hoped for, still comes as a shock.
The area had previously been searched, and new information led us back here to search specific locations of interest.
For operational reasons, we are unable to share the information that led us to search this location.
A scene examination is now underway and Police will be visible in the area for some time.
Police investigation staff are working towards an October trial date for a now 53-year-old man charged with murder in relation to Yanfei’s death.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A summer recreational mecca for over half a century, now families fear Lake Camp will be too dry to use this summer.
The Canterbury lake's level has dropped considerably, sparking a community campaign to restore its historic water source to … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A summer recreational mecca for over half a century, now families fear Lake Camp will be too dry to use this summer.
The Canterbury lake's level has dropped considerably, sparking a community campaign to restore its historic water source to avoid it becoming a "manky puddle".
Rangitata MP James Meager has slammed council inaction, saying the situation feels like the Greenstreet Creek all over again, “where in a month's time someone will be apologising for their inaction”.
Native fish died when Greenstreet Creek in Canterbury dried up, despite farmers raising the alarm with the regional council.
“Letting Lake Camp dry up and turn into a muddy puddle is totally unacceptable," Meager said.
“I'll be writing to agencies telling them they need to sort this out, before locals take matters into their own hands. And if they did, I wouldn't blame them."
But Environment Canterbury (ECan) says low water levels aren't having environmental impacts at Lake Camp, and at this stage, there is no need for action.
The Sim family from Methven have waterskied at Lake Camp since the early 1990s, but may not get the chance this summer.
Steph and Mitch Sim’s children are third-generation recreational users of the lake, and they would like to keep the tradition alive.
“It’s a pretty amazing spot up there and the reason we go ... is for the lake,” Steph said.
But the state of Lake Camp was “pretty dire” when the family were there in March.
“It’s the lowest I’ve seen it and Mitch has never seen it that low before and he’s been going since he was a kid.”
Low rainfall in the high country and the lack of flow from the Balmacaan Stream has caused the lake to drain away.
It's frustrating when there is a logical solution that has worked for half a century, she said.
The solution she refers to is a request from the Lake Clearwater Hutholders Association to restore the Balmacaan Stream diversion, which would fill the lake back up.
A diversion from the Balmacaan Stream had previously fed into Lake Camp helping maintain its levels for over 50 years.
The resource consent for the stream diversion ended in 2020 and the diversion itself was scoured out by flowing in 2021.
ECan and DOC have indicated the receding lake level hasn’t impacted the water quality and restoring the diversion would require a resource consent.
Clearwater Aquatic Club president Tony Moore said he is irritated by that stance.
“ECan mechanically opens Lake Ellesmere every year to manage the lake levels, and they are only doing that for the lake's benefit.
“They are assisting nature elsewhere so what’s the difference at Lake Camp?”
ECan has been accused of just letting nature take its course.
However, surface water science manager Elaine Moriarty said that's not the regional council's position.
“We are not currently seeing evidence of environmental harm due to low water levels in this particular lake and that this type of intervention would require a resource consent.”
ECan will intervene where there’s risk to the safety of communities, from flooding for example, or if there is immediate environmental harm.
“Lake Camp’s water levels, although low around the shore, are not impacting the lake’s water quality.
“It has a deep middle section (18m deep) which helps support aquatic life during dry times.
“We do recognise that there may be recreational impacts for people using the lake for water skiing and boating this summer, if lake levels remain low, and that this is disappointing for the community.”
The aquatic club, with a membership of around 60, cancelled annual water ski championships last summer because of the water depth, and it looked unlikely they would hold it this summer, Moore said.
“There is nothing stopping anyone going out there, but [with lower water levels], when you get a few boats and jet skis on there it becomes a real water safety issue.”
The Ashburton District Council has invested in facilities at the Ashburton Lakes and is actively promoting it as a tourism destination, Moore said.
“When people drive in to see Lake Camp it’s the ugly duckling in the middle, the puddle that’s got no water in it."
The diversion must be restored to allow the lake to fulfil its recreation reserve status, Moore said.
Acting district council chief executive Jane Donaldson said they aware of the situation but the council “has not been formally approached yet”.
A Vintage Fair is coming to town 👋
Tomorrow, step into a world of nostalgia and charm at this enchanting Vintage Fair, where treasures from yesteryears come alive.
Stall holders fees to be donated to Kaiapoi Food Bank for the Vintage Fair on 28 July 2024. The charity stall for this fair … View moreA Vintage Fair is coming to town 👋
Tomorrow, step into a world of nostalgia and charm at this enchanting Vintage Fair, where treasures from yesteryears come alive.
Stall holders fees to be donated to Kaiapoi Food Bank for the Vintage Fair on 28 July 2024. The charity stall for this fair is Miscarriage Matters, please give them your support.
With the invention of the internet and mobile phone communication, pen pals seem to be a thing of the past but it was a common practice at one point.
Did you have a pen pal? Where did you meet them? Share below!
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…
