1738 days ago

West Coast mayoralty races under way

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

It's the end of an era – after 15 years the Grey District will have a new mayor.

Four candidates have put in nominations to replace long-standing mayor Tony Kokshoorn.

Kokshoorn has held the role since his landslide win against incumbent Kevin Brown in 2004, and has been elected unopposed four times.

Grey district councillor Tania Gibson was the first to put her hand up for the position.

She will run against long-term councillor and Runanga businessman Cliff Sandrey, West Coast Regional Council chairman Andrew Robb, and Richard Osmaston, a former Nelson candidate who campaigns against the use of money.

Buller mayor Garry Howard is also standing down. Five candidates will compete for the position: current councillor and Westport dairy farmer Jamie Cleine, former long-serving mayor Pat O'Dea, Westport photographer Charlie Bruning, rap artist Aaron Intemann, and lawyer Doug Taffs.

In Westland, incumbent mayor Bruce Smith is seeking a second term. He is going up against two sitting councillors: Gray Eatwell and deputy mayor Latham Martin. Also fighting for the mayoral spot are Ryan Kennedy from Okarito and Hokitika joiner John Mitchell.

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More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Have you ever been bullied?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.

This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.

Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Have you ever been bullied?
  • 79.7% Yes
    79.7% Complete
  • 19.9% No
    19.9% Complete
  • 0.4% Other - I'll share below
    0.4% Complete
1715 votes
9 days ago

Neighbourly Q&A: Renting rights with CAB's Sacha Green

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

We are continuing our Q&A sessions on Neighbourly. This week we have the amazing Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand (CABNZ) who will be answering your questions about your renting rights.

A little bit about Sacha:
She has been working for CABNZ for 10 years and is passionate about empowering people with knowledge of their rights as well as ensuring access to justice.

She helps support the team of over 2,000 trained volunteers who deliver the CAB service in 80 neighbourhoods around Aotearoa by providing advice and support at a national level on a wide range of issues. One of Sacha’s work areas is leading the CAB’s social justice work on housing and tenancy issues.

Whether you're a flatmate, landlord, boarder or flatmate, you can leave a comment below and Sacha will share an answer on Wednesday from 9.30am. You may want to ask about notice periods, bond fulfillment, reasonable rent increases, or even whose responsibility it is to deal with mould in the home.

Join Sacha here on Wednesday at 9.30am. See you then!.

⇩ Share your question below ⇩

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5 days ago

Tips for moving to a retirement village with a pet

Ernest Rutherford Retirement Village

Moving to a retirement village marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities waiting to be explored. Naturally, you want to share this journey with your beloved furry companion, and at Ryman, you are welcome to bring your pet along, provided they are suitable for the village environment.

Once your pet is approved for the village, the focus shifts to ensuring a smooth transition for them. Dogs and cats, being creatures of habit, may find relocating stressful. However, with patience and a thoughtful approach, we can mitigate their anxiety and help them settle into their new surroundings seamlessly.

For more tips click read more.

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