1597 days ago

Spa wars: Council will allow reduced bubbles to balance drowning risk

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

The bubbles may have been banished at the spa, but a compromise is already in the works.

Bubbles were recently switched off at the Pioneer Pool spa in Christchurch because lifeguards were worried they may not spot someone passing out and slipping below the surface.

One staff member feared a person could slip beneath the surface, drown, and not be found until they were stood on.

On Tuesday, the Christchurch City Council told Stuff plans were in place to install a smaller air blower in the spa over the next couple of weeks, which should produce slightly reduced bubbles while keeping visibility for lifeguards.

More messages from your neighbours
2 hours ago

The Summer Kiwi Quiz is back by popular demand

Summer Kiwi Quiz - 2026

Grab a copy of your local Stuff newspaper between 1 Jan - 28 Jan and participate in the Summer Kiwi Quiz! Test your knowledge, answer the daily New Zealand based questions, and find out how well you know our beautiful country!

Each correct answer will get you one entry into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 Ooni Karu 2 Portable Pizza Oven bundles, valued at $1024! Each bundle includes: an Ooni Karu 2 Multi-Fuel Portable Pizza Oven, Ooni Karu 2 Carry Cover, Ooni 12" Perforated Peel, Ooni Digital Infrared Thermometer and an Ooni Cookbook: Cooking with Ooni. The more answers you enter correctly, the higher your chance of winning. For more information and to submit your answers, click here

The Team at Stuff
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H
4 hours ago

Abandoned bike

Helen from Papanui

This electric bike has been chained to my driveway fence for over a week. Does anyone know anything about it?

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3 days ago

Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎉 2026 is almost here!

We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?

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Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
  • 10.4% Yes! New Year, New Me
    10.4% Complete
  • 19.9% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
    19.9% Complete
  • 69.7% Nah - not for me
    69.7% Complete
815 votes