Omihi's biggest fundraising race returns
North Cantabrians can bike, run or walk to help a North Canterbury school when its biggest fundraiser of the year returns next month.
Omihi School's third Farm Race will be held on Sunday, March 22. Last year's race involved 300 participants and raised $12,000 for the school. All of the money raised goes directly to Omihi School.
Principal Maree Lucas said the event was open for anyone to enter. "We've had as young as 7-year-olds up to 90-year-olds."
"We love the event as it's a way to make money for the school, but most importantly it's a chance to bring the community together and invite other entrants in to see our school and showcase our beautiful Omihi hills."
For more details or to enter visit www.omihi.school.nz... bikerun or call Lucas on 021 776 864. Online entries close March 20.
Rangiora after-hours clinic faces more delays
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The wait continues for a promised North Canterbury after hours healthcare facility.
Work is yet to begin on the proposed new Rangiora Medical Centre at the Rangiora Health Hub on Ashley St, which was first proposed more than five years ago.
The Waimakariri District Council granted a resource consent for the project in 2022, while the building consent is still being processed.
A council spokesperson said the application was on hold while some civil construction details are resolved by the applicants’ consultants.
‘‘We hope to be able to grant the consent in the very near future.’’
The Ministry of Health entered into an agreement with South Link Health Group in 2021 to build the after hours facility, following a petition being presented to the former Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) two years earlier.
South Link Health Group is a network of 26 medical practises, and is responsible for funding and constructing the new facility.
It will include full radiology services (ultrasound, CT and MRI scans), GP services, a pharmacy, and urgent after hours healthcare.
A spokesperson for South Link Health said in December work was expected to begin on the site in March, with the medical centre on track to open in the first half of 2025.
In the meantime, limited after hours healthcare is available at Durham Health, Rangiora, and the Amberley Medical Centre, and at local pharmacies.
Residents can ring 111 in an emergency, contact their GP to speak to a triage nurse, call Healthline 0800 611116 for free advice from a nurse, or arrange online video consultations with a doctor (for a charge).
The after hours triage service is delivered by Whakarongarou and operates in North Canterbury, with access to a St John paramedic if a face to face assessment is required.
A rural after hours service, Ka Ora Telecare, offers phone or video consultations with a doctor. Go to kaora.co.nz/app/services/sub-services/3. The Pegasus 24 Hour Surgery in Christchurch is also available.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Kiwirail land rental
We pay KiwiRail a rental fee for the lease of a strip of land alongside the railway line. We use the land for vegetable gardening. However we have just received a letter doubling the rental fee plus a charge to draw up the new lease. Has anyone else been effected by this? KiwiRail do nothing with the land on the other side of the fence and the grass grows lank.
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