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Spoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business… View moreSpoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business has shipped hundreds of spring and summer flowering bulbs and tubers all over New Zealand from their base near Feilding.
Offer valid until 11:59pm 14 May 2023. For full terms and conditions click here.
Happy Mother’s Day
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mid Canterbury is at risk of future flooding but there is no major risk of forestry slash causing the same devastation that occurred in the upper North Island.
The location of forestry blocks and the geography of the region meant there was a low … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mid Canterbury is at risk of future flooding but there is no major risk of forestry slash causing the same devastation that occurred in the upper North Island.
The location of forestry blocks and the geography of the region meant there was a low risk from forestry slash build-up in the rivers, Ashburton District Council group manager business support Leanne Macdonald said.
“The recent rainfall events that resulted in the large-scale mobilisation of tree slash in the Tairāwhiti, Hawkes Bay, and Nelson region were related to large-scale forestry covering significant catchments characterised by steep terrain and erodible soils, which is quite different to Mid Canterbury’s landscape.
“It is very unlikely to have slash from the council’s plantations entering rivers during flood events.
“Most of the council plantations are on the plains away from rivers.”
In the forestry industry, slash is considered any vegetative debris generated by the forest – all the parts of the tree not utilised following harvesting including branches.
Macdonald said slash that is mobilised during a flood can include harvesting slash from a plantation but can also include other trees involved in landslides and the vegetative material from the river berm including willows, poplars, and various weed species.
That occurred in the Ashburton River in the 2021 floods.
Slash generated during a harvesting operation is ultimately the responsibility of the forest owner, Macdonald said.
“When engaging contractors to harvest plantations, the treatment of slash is a priority and can form part of the sign-off for operations.
“Ideally, slash piles will be avoided or at the very least, reduced below three metres high.
“At the end of harvesting, the cutover area will have the slash windrowed to allow access for replanting. The practice of burning slash was stopped many years ago.”
The treatment of slash is addressed in logging plans required by the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry and Macdonald said the plans are required to be submitted to both district and regional councils.
The council’s forestry plantations cover 1330 hectares, of which Macdonald said 1079ha is currently stocked, with 22hawaiting to be restocked this winter.
Forestry slash has become a major talking point following Cyclone Gabrielle, with the government launching a ministerial inquiry that will make recommendations to improve land use, including changes needed to practices and regulations at central and local government levels.
In previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our … View moreIn previous generations, children left home at 18 years old and became independent. Now with student debt and the increasing cost of renting and buying a house, we are seeing the rise of the 'Boomerang babies' who stay or move back home for well into their 20's. Is this good for our communities and have you noticed it in yours?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
The NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!
No chocolate in sight, these treats are better! How about unlimited broadband starting from $62/m with 6 months FREE Prime Video PLUS a chance to WIN 1 of 6 $300 Prezzy Cards with 2degrees? Maybe … View moreThe NZ Compare Easter Bunny has been busy delivering some epic deals on BROADBAND and POWER!
No chocolate in sight, these treats are better! How about unlimited broadband starting from $62/m with 6 months FREE Prime Video PLUS a chance to WIN 1 of 6 $300 Prezzy Cards with 2degrees? Maybe you’d like to bundle and get your first 2 months of broadband FREE with Electric Kiwi! Or sink your teeth into a $100 welcome credit with Flick.
There is more so hop to it Neighbours before they go!
Bring out the best in your home.
Get 20% off Resene premium paints, stains, wallpapers and accessories, on now at Resene ColorShops!
Hurry Resene sale ends Tuesday 11th April.
Shop online at shop.resene.co.nz or visit your local Resene ColorShop.
This outlines what Christchurch City Council plans to spend on projects and day-to-day services in the next year and how we'll pay for it.
Find out more and have your say by Monday 10 April.
Jaleel found purpose in life through the Graeme Dingle Foundation's programmes.
Losing two special people as a teenager left her lost and scraping by daily. But with the Foundation’s programmes; Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K, she found mentors who believed in her and taught her life … View moreJaleel found purpose in life through the Graeme Dingle Foundation's programmes.
Losing two special people as a teenager left her lost and scraping by daily. But with the Foundation’s programmes; Kiwi Can, Stars and Project K, she found mentors who believed in her and taught her life skills, self-belief and the importance of asking for help.
Winning the Project K Excellence Award inspired her to work with the Foundation, which led to her becoming a Kiwi Can Leader. Jaleel hopes to continue working with the Foundation.
Find out more about how the Graeme Dingle Foundation helps kiwis like Jaleel.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
He didn’t return from Wellington with bags of cash for Ashburton’s second bridge.
But what Ashburton mayor Neil Brown did get from his whistle-stop bridge promotion visit was an optimistic response that the project has government support – … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
He didn’t return from Wellington with bags of cash for Ashburton’s second bridge.
But what Ashburton mayor Neil Brown did get from his whistle-stop bridge promotion visit was an optimistic response that the project has government support – just not any guaranteed money – yet.
“There is a will there to build the second bridge, because of resilience,” Brown said.
“The only thing we are not clear on is how to fund it."
The meeting with Transport Minister Michael Wood and Waka Kotahi representatives at the Beehive confirmed to Brown the Government is positively engaged in the conversation and thinking about how the proposed $113.6m second bridge can be funded.
The council has already budgeted $7.5m, based on a previous $40m cost estimate, but signalled it will consider a larger contribution if required.
The issue is the gap between what would be Waka Kotahi's minimum 51 per cent contribution ($58m) and the council's current contribution - an approximate $48.2m shortfall.
The minister made it clear to Brown that there is significant pressure on the national land transport programme (NLTP) following Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused significant damage to bridges and roads in the upper North Island.
There are options outside the NLTP, with one being the government's $3 billion infrastructure fund, launched in 2020.
“We’ll all be exploring options or innovative ways to make it happen,’’ Brown said.
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
Brown responded to calls from frustrated community members who say repairing local roads is more pressing than a second bridge.
Brown said the only similarity between the two was that they were both influenced by Waka Kotahi subsidies.
“This [proposed second Ashburton bridge] is a major capital infrastructure project for the resilience of the roading network for the whole South Island,'' Brown said.
"[But] the potholes are a maintenance issue within the district, which our maintenance contractors are paid to go and fill.
“We also need more funding for the roads so we can renew more roads so they don’t get potholes.”
Potholes were also not just an Ashburton district problem, but one felt nationwide.
Other community members have also questioned why money for the council's new $56.7m library and civic centre could not be used for the bridge and local road funding instead.
But Brown said they were completely unrelated projects.
“They are two different projects, not even related and if you kept taking from one to put to another, you’d never get anything done.”
Spoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business… View moreSpoil the Mum in your life with a subscription to NZ’s favourite gardening magazine.
For only $79 get 12 issues of NZ Gardener PLUS 5 Oriental Lily Bulbs worth $17 RRP from NZ Bulbs. Since 1957, NZ Bulbs has been supplying top quality bulbs to New Zealand gardeners. This family-owned business has shipped hundreds of spring and summer flowering bulbs and tubers all over New Zealand from their base near Feilding.
Offer valid until 11:59pm 14 May 2023. For full terms and conditions click here.
Happy Mother’s Day
Create art using Resene paint and your own breath.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Beautiful 6 seater 'one-of-a-kind', solid, one piece, chunky, macrocarpa dining bench set. This indoor/outdoor table set has been stunningly stained and varnished! This table will not require tying down during a storm. Buyer must collect, assistance of 3 or 4 men needed, very heavy. … View moreBeautiful 6 seater 'one-of-a-kind', solid, one piece, chunky, macrocarpa dining bench set. This indoor/outdoor table set has been stunningly stained and varnished! This table will not require tying down during a storm. Buyer must collect, assistance of 3 or 4 men needed, very heavy. Dimensions: L 2000mm W 1700 H 770
This Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?
… View moreThis Sunday we'll be putting our clocks back for the end of daylight saving. Despite the benefits of an extra hour of sun during daylight saving, these clock changes commonly bring disruptions to our households and sleep - some feel that it should be scrapped altogether. What do you think?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Neighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....… View moreNeighbourhood Support members across New Zealand are invited to attend a special wellbeing webinar, 'Building Strong Communities', with Farmstrong Ambassador, Sam Whitelock, at 7:30pm on Tuesday April 4th.
For more information and to register, head to www.neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz....
Please invite those on your street and in your neighbourhood who might be interested (it's not just for rural folk, although those of you in rural communities might be particularly interested).
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