830 days ago

Poll: Should Christchurch have a permanent police helicopter?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Could a permanent police helicopter be in the pipeline for Christchurch?

As authorities in the city grapple with a wave of car thefts and reckless driving by youths, top brass haven’t ruled it out.

In the last 10 months, police in Christchurch have chartered commercial helicopters to help catch rampant young offenders on four occasions, most recently on Wednesday when a trio of youngsters in a stolen car left a trail of havoc from Heathcote to Belfast – ripping up a sports field, forcing a school into lockdown, and closing part of a highway.

They allow fleeing drivers to be tracked from the air, meaning officers don’t have to engage in risky pursuits, particularly when roads are busy during the daytime. It also spares their patrol cars from being damaged by youth offenders, who’ve shown a willingness to ram their way out of tricky situations.

Read the full story from reporter Blair Ensor here and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Should Christchurch have a permanent police helicopter?
  • 91.8% Yes
    91.8% Complete
  • 7.4% No
    7.4% Complete
  • 0.9% Maybe/something else (tell us in the comments)
    0.9% Complete
570 votes
More messages from your neighbours
12 hours ago

Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.

Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔

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Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
  • 72.9% We work hard, we deserve a break!
    72.9% Complete
  • 16.9% Hmm, maybe?
    16.9% Complete
  • 10.1% Yes!
    10.1% Complete
207 votes
6 days ago

A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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11 hours ago

2025 has been massive. The Luxon-led Government's attacks on workers, on Te Tiriti, on pay equity, on educators, on health workers, and on the public service, have been relentless.

Leslie from Avonside - Dallington

But despite everything thrown at working people, we've also seen some massive wins. We've fought back together with strike action. We've unified with days of action. We have focused on what matters. Make no mistake, 2026 will be wild, and we are ready for it! Source - New Zealand Council of Trade Unions