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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A time capsule is biding its time before being entombed in the new Te Whare Whakatere building in Ashburton.
The Ashburton District Council finalised details of the time capsule's contents and when it would open in May last year. Items … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A time capsule is biding its time before being entombed in the new Te Whare Whakatere building in Ashburton.
The Ashburton District Council finalised details of the time capsule's contents and when it would open in May last year. Items detailing life in the Ashburton District in 2023 were collected ahead of the building opening.
The building eventually opened to the public in January, but it is yet to have an official opening, meaning the time capsule remains incomplete.
People and facilities group manager Sarah Mosley said the delay will not impact the capsule's contents.
“Although the time capsule is yet to be placed within Te Whare Whakatere, the contents and 2078 opening date remain as agreed by council.
“While some content is 2023-24 based, the information and photographs included are still relevant and representative of our town and district.”
There are a few final items still to be added, Mosley said.
“We have recently received paper-based archives from Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua which include a photo of the marae.
“Media publications regarding Te Whare Whakatere’s official opening date will also be added following the event.”
Once the official opening is held, coverage of the opening will be the final addition to the capsule before it is sealed in place.
It will sit behind a section of tinted glass at a low height along the Havelock St entrance ramp, Mosely said.
The capsule contents, such as test tube samples of seeds grown in the district, are being stored at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum, Mosley said.
Museum archivist Connor Lysaght has previously described the capsule as “almost like a Russian nesting doll”, with a stainless steel inner box and wooden outer box that will be placed in the wall cavity.
Councillors set the opening date for 2078, to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the Ashburton County Council, which is two years after the 200th anniversary of the Ashburton Borough Council.
Time capsule items include:
- All resolutions of the council regarding the design and construction of the building
- Photographs from the official opening
- Floor and elevation plans of the building
- Large district map containing all road names
- Aerial photographs of townships
- Photographs with captions of significant facilities and places, district landmarks and significant events, reserves, flora and fauna, lakes and other natural landmarks
- Environmental reports
- Infographic report profiling the district’s population
- List of clubs, organisations, churches, health and other facilities and services
- Yearbooks from Ashburton College, Mount Hutt College
- Arowhenua rūnanga archives
- The Hakatere Home and Heritage book which shows the growing ethnic diversity of Ashburton society
- Examples of district-manufactured goods
- A test tube sample of seeds grown within the district, and quantity facts
- An edition of the Ashburton Guardian and community newsletters
- Comments collated from the community about the best thing about living in the Ashburton District
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
After years of negotiation, the Ashburton pavilion on Walnut Ave is now under council ownership.
The Ashburton District Council is also in the final stages of acquiring the domain oval pavilion, with the aim of revitalising the two community … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
After years of negotiation, the Ashburton pavilion on Walnut Ave is now under council ownership.
The Ashburton District Council is also in the final stages of acquiring the domain oval pavilion, with the aim of revitalising the two community landmarks.
With the council taking responsibility for the dilapidated pavilions, ratepayers will pick up the bill for the maintenance and ongoing operational costs.
Council’s business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said the process has been ongoing for over three years.
“The work has only really progressed positively over the last 18 months.”
Both buildings are assets listed in the Ashburton Domain Development Plan adopted by the council in 2020, she said.
They’re are predominantly used by sport groups but also utilised by community groups.
The buildings had been run by community trusts.
“The trusts really only existed for the purpose of owning the buildings, and will dissolve when no longer needed, but it is fair to say that community interest in being on either trust had dwindled over recent years.
“With no community group to maintain them, it has fallen to council.
“The Walnut Avenue pavilion has been acquired already, but negotiations continue over the acquisition of the oval pavilion.”
The council has budgeted $150k for initial work on the Walnut Ave pavilion and repairs and maintenance has already begun, Macdonald said.
Further work will be scheduled over the next few years “to give the pavilion a good refresh”.
“The interior has been cleaned already and will be painted, lights will be upgraded and new carpet has been ordered. The exterior of the building will also be painted.
“The work is considered operational and the full refresh is expected to be achieved over the next few years, as budgets allow.”
Ownership transferred to the council on May 31 and signs were put up at the building explaining the change of ownership. The council has been in contact with the regular users, Macdonald said.
“We’re hoping to increase income from additional bookings once the building has been refreshed.”
Then there is the oval, which remains a work in progress.
There is $300,000 budgeted for repairs and maintenance but the council will not begin the work until it has reached an agreement on the ownership transfer, Macdonald said.
“The negotiations are sensitive and need to balance a good outcome for cricket and athletics in Mid Canterbury, against not spending too much ratepayer money.”
91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.
Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.
Hear about Dora’s experience … View more91-year-old Dora is a rest home resident at Ryman.
Between family gatherings, bus trips and village activities, she certainly enjoys a full life. With the many friendships she’s made, the caregivers and village staff have become an extension of her family.
Hear about Dora’s experience living in a Ryman community.
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's former council civic building will go on the market later this year.
With the construction of Te Whare Whakatere, the Ashburton District Council’s new library and civic centre, the plan was always to sell off the old library and … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton's former council civic building will go on the market later this year.
With the construction of Te Whare Whakatere, the Ashburton District Council’s new library and civic centre, the plan was always to sell off the old library and civic buildings to help pay for the new building.
Initially budgeted at $56.7 million, before its completion the council had signalled an overrun in the region of 10%.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said finalising the costs of completing Te Whare Whakatere “remains a work in progress”.
Councillors have meanwhile approved the tender process to sell several relocatable buildings and a deadline sale process for the former civic administration building and surrounding land, Riach said.
“The money raised will help offset the cost of building Te Whare Whakatere.”
The old public library site was sold to CBR Properties Limited for $1.1 million in May, and the company's directors, Barry and Chris Redmond, have yet to reveal their plans for the site.
The council is now looking for a real estate agent to sell the former three-storey civic building and land, which consists of four separate titles, with a total land area of 5059m2.
Real estate agencies interested in selling the old council building and land need to apply by August 7 and a successful agency will then be selected following the tender evaluation process.
The council wants the property on the market by mid-September with a deadline sale end date in November.
Tenders are also being called for from people interested in buying its surplus relocatable buildings, including the former temporary council chamber.
The temporary chamber, the staff tearoom, and 10 garages associated with the old civic building at 5 Baring Square West are up for tender, along with three relocatable classrooms at the old polytech site on Cameron St.
The tender deadline for the relocatable buildings closes on August 23.
“The successful tenderers will ultimately be decided by councillors, so that means a community group hoping to use one of the buildings for a good cause will have as much opportunity as a business wanting it for a commercial purpose,” Riach said.
The council hope to have all the buildings and land sold by the end of the year.
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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Motorists could be paying a toll to drive a new bypass on State Highway 1, in North Canterbury, once it's complete.
Meanwhile, planned safety improvements to the area have been canned for now, as officials review the planned work as part of the … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Motorists could be paying a toll to drive a new bypass on State Highway 1, in North Canterbury, once it's complete.
Meanwhile, planned safety improvements to the area have been canned for now, as officials review the planned work as part of the Woodend Bypass design.
The Government is considering a proposal for its promised roads of national significance to be partially funded by a toll.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the Woodend Bypass has been confirmed as one of the first five roads of national significance and that a safety review will be undertaken.
Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey said the Government has backed recommendations by NZTA to introduce tolls in its Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
‘‘As a Government, we are open to a wide range of funding tools to ensure we are able to deliver the roads that will allow kiwis and freight to get to where they want to go quickly and safely.’’
Safety improvements for Woodend’s Main North Rd were announced in December 2022, as part of a $35 million funding package for State Highway 1 between Saltwater Creek and Cam River, with work due to begin this year.
NZTA had previously advised the safety improvements were on hold, pending the revised policy statement on Land Transport.
Doocey said it made sense to have another look at the work programme.
‘‘When you look at the Woodend safety improvement programme, it was in response to Labour cancelling the bypass, so it is right to relook at that programme in the context of the new motorway.’’
The former Government included the Woodend Bypass in its policy statement on Land Transport announced in August 2023.
Funding was also announced in December 2022 for a $6 million project, including cycleways linking Kaiapoi, Woodend and Pegasus, as part of NZTA’s Transport Choices Programme.
But the programme was axed last December by the new Government.
Doocey said the proposed cycleways and an under-pass at the Pegasus roundabout would be considered as part of the final bypass design.
‘‘When you look at the Christchurch Northern Corridor, the (Christchurch to Kaiapoi) cycleway was an important part of it, so I think it would make sense to consider the cycleways and an underpass as part of the bypass design.’’
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell said she welcomed news about the bypass, but the safety improvements were needed now.
‘‘It will take several years to build the bypass. It is just getting frustrating.’’
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he had been seeking clarity about the promised safety improvements without success.
But he welcomed Doocey’s comments that the cycleway and under-pass would be considered as part of the final design.
‘‘It makes total sense to construct this as part of the works and I know the community would be thrilled to have these included.
‘‘This is an incredibly important project for our district and I am delighted by the depth of consideration the Government is giving to it.’’
He would also like to see a cycleway clip-on added to the State Highway 1 bridge over the Ashley-Rakahuri River.
The council has been planning the Kaiapoi to Woodend and Woodend to Pegasus cycleways for several years, along with a Rangiora (Southbrook) cycleway.
Proposed safety improvements had included road widening, wider centrelines and safety barriers, and reducing the speed to 60kph at the Pegasus roundabout, which would have become one lane with raised safety platforms.
Traffic lights were also proposed at the Rangiora-Woodend Rd intersection, roundabouts at the Woodend Beach Rd and Williams St intersections and a crossing refuge for people using bus stops near Pineacres.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Ashburton is on track for its worst air pollution winter in more than six years, after breaching the high-pollution threshold twice.
Ashburton has had two incidents of breaching the national air quality standards so far this winter, which already matches its worst winter in recent times, the two… View moreAshburton is on track for its worst air pollution winter in more than six years, after breaching the high-pollution threshold twice.
Ashburton has had two incidents of breaching the national air quality standards so far this winter, which already matches its worst winter in recent times, the two breaches in 2018.
The monitoring site located in a residential area on Cambridge St recorded the breaches on April 25 and June 7.
It had only two incidents in the five years from 2019 to 2023.
Ashburton’s worst year was 2006 when it had 28 breaches but steadily improved to record its first year with no breaches in 2020.
In surrounding areas, Kaiapoi had six breaches and Timaru had three, while Washdyke, historically the worst offending site with 35 breaches in 2023, recorded the most with 14 days exceeding the national standards.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) principal science analyst Teresa Aberkane said home heating is a major contributor to air pollution in Canterbury.
“Weather and topography also play a big part in how long woodsmoke stays in the air.
“During the winter our cold, still, frosty days mean the smoke from home heating isn’t blown away overnight and gets trapped until morning when the air warms up or the wind picks up.”
ECan monitors air quality at 10 sites across eight airsheds, focusing on particulate matter (PM), specifically PM10 (particles smaller than 10 micrometres in size) and PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 micrometres in size).
These tiny particles are important to monitor because they are small enough to be breathed in, Aberkane said.
When breathed in, PM10 can deposit in the upper airways and cause irritation, as well as affecting the lungs and heart.
PM2.5 can lodge deep into our lungs and reach the bloodstream, potentially leading to serious respiratory, heart and lung problems.
“We’ve seen significant improvement in Canterbury’s air quality over the last two decades, thanks in large part to the efforts of Cantabrians who have switched their smoky burners for lower emission forms of heating, such as heat pumps or ultra-low emission burners.”
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By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Local events are up for national awards, much to the delight of those who worked hard to make them happen.
The Ashburton District Council’s business of the year awards, run by Mid Canterbury event management and promotions company Rí Rá Events, … View moreBy local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Local events are up for national awards, much to the delight of those who worked hard to make them happen.
The Ashburton District Council’s business of the year awards, run by Mid Canterbury event management and promotions company Rí Rá Events, has been shortlisted for best business event and best local government event at the New Zealand Events Association’s annual awards.
Council chief executive Hamish Riach was delighted that the business of the year awards have been recognised and said the council enjoyed partnering with Rí Rá to make them happen.
"It’s a good example of council and local businesses working together to promote innovation and celebrate the district as a great place to do business.”
The second running of the biennial awards had Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa crowned the supreme winner at the finals gala, held at the Ashburton Aviation Museum in February.
The event had just over 122 entries, a big jump from the inaugural event in 2022, across 14 categories.
The overall objective of the event is to promote the Ashburton District as a great place to do business, and Rí Rá Events have already started working towards the 2026 event.
Rí Rá Events is also a finalist for the best food, beverage or lifestyle event for its Twelfth Hour Gin experience, hosted at the Methven Trotting Club’s Christmas race meeting in December.
Rí Rá Events director Gary Manning was delighted by the events being shortlisted for the NZEA Awards.
“We believe it proves that Mid Canterbury can and does deliver great events.
“We’re passionate about delivering value for our event partners and a great customer experience.
“We have progressed plans to evolve the business beyond events in the coming 12 months so watch this space.”
Founded in 2019, Rí Rá Events is owned by two Irish Kiwis, Gary Manning and Colm McGrath, and it produces and promotes events predominantly in Mid Canterbury.
The winners of the events association’s awards will be revealed at a gala dinner on August 27 in Palmerston North.
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