Boosting sport in Kaikōura
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The chance to return home and work in sports coaching was too good to refuse for a young Kaikōura woman.
Saraya Brown (pictured) took up the role of Sport Tasman community outcomes adviser for Kaikōura towards the end of last year after attending boarding school and university in Christchurch.
‘‘I studied sport coaching and was looking at teachers’ college, but then this job came up.
‘‘I love that I am able to provide people in our community with the opportunity to participate in physical activities which maybe aren’t on offer or they don’t have the means to do.’’
Brown said she is keen to hear ideas from the community and hopes to bring back the Kaikōura Warrior Run, an obstacle course challenge.
She was active in sport at school, but after a few injuries she decided to focus on coaching.
Brown coached junior netball in Christchurch and is continuing to coach the youngsters in future ferns netball in Kaikōura.
Through Sports Tasman’s connections, Brown said is able to break down some of the barriers of Kaikōura’s isolation and the cost of participating in sport.
Being based with the Kaikōura District Council, Brown is able to work with council and local Environment Canterbury staff.
She recently worked with Environment Canterbury Kaikōura zone facilitator Jodie Hoggard on activities for Sea Week, helping to organise surfing, kayaking, a quiz night and a beach clean up.
‘‘It is so cool. You hear Sport Tasman and you think of structured netball or rugby, but it is about active recreation and sport, so it could be kayaking, surfing or an art class on the beach, if that is what the community wants.
‘‘I am driven by the community’s voice and my aim is to be as responsive as I can to the community’s needs.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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Kaikōura council makes key appointment, recruitment challenges remain
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Key appointments have been made at Kaikōura's council, but there are still gaps to fill as it struggles to find staff.
Staff recruitment has been a headache for the Kaikōura District Council in recent years, but chief executive Will Doughty says he has finally appointed a new building control manager.
The council has had vacancies in its building department for more than two years.
‘‘We are consistently chasing our tail looking to get some replacements and we have had good support from contractors and other councils in the building space.
‘‘But it is good to get a full-time role based here.’’
Doughty said other Canterbury councils have been providing support with building inspections and consenting over the last two years, particularly the Hurunui District Council.
Glen Vaughan will be moving from the Central Otago District Council to be the new building control manager in Kaikōura, starting on July 1.
A new building administrator and a new emergency management officer have also been appointed.
But the position of building control officer remains vacant after more than two years, while there is also a vacancy for a part-time customer services officer.
Despite the lack of permanent building staff based in Kaikōura, the council has received a favourable accreditation assessment from International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ).
‘‘It is a credit to the team that we have no significant non-compliances and seven general non-compliances,’’ Doughty said.
‘‘This is an outstanding result.’’
Should the council address the general non-compliance issues by July it will be classified as a ‘‘low risk’’ building control authority, with the next assessment due in 2026.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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