Little Street Art Festival came to life last week, bringing urban street art to Ōtautahi Christchurch, including miniature sculptures, urban paintings and participatory projects. “The aim of this festival is to encourage people to explore their environment, take a closer look at their surroundings and find magic while they wander,” says festival director and Watch…
Cycle connection from Heathcote to Central City
The ribbon has been cut on the Puari ki Kahuhura Heathcote Expressway by Heathcote Ward Councillor Sara Templeton and Deputy Mayor Pauline Cotter alongside Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board Member Tim Lindley, Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood Community Board Chair Paul McMahon, Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board Chair Callum Ward, Linwood Ward Councillor Yani Johanson and pupils from Te Tihi o…
Delve into the life of one of New Zealand’s most prominent deer hunters
At age thirty, prominent deer hunter Frank Erceg was established as a renowned marksman, mountaineer and photographer by 1965, with his work widely published in newspapers and magazines of the day. That same year, Frank and his friend Johnny Cumming were tragically killed in New Zealand’s first helicopter hunting accident. While Frank Erceg is mentioned…
It’s getting festive in Christchurch
Avebury Xmas Night Market The Avebury Xmas Night Market is back and bigger than before with more than 40 stalls and food vendors. The market is kicking off at 3:30pm until 7pm this evening at Avebury House, 9 Eveleyn Couzins Ave Richmond. Stalls will be packed with goods including skincare, garden goodies, artork, knit and…
Learn how to spot toxic algae in rivers and lakes
Learn how to spot toxic algae in rivers and lakes If you are heading to a river or lake to cool off this summer, check for toxic algae (cyanobacteria) in and around the water. It can cause serious harm to dogs, pets and livestock. Toxic algae occur naturally in waterways, but when the amount increases,…
Decision on request to pause Plan Change 14 Hearings Panel process
A report will be considered by Councillors on 6 December which includes recommendations that the Council asks the Minister for the Environment to set a new date for resuming the hearings and completing Plan Change 14 by way of Gazette Notice. Read the report here. The report says this will enable the Council to place…
Council to decide on organics processing solutions
On Wednesday 6 December the Council will consider two reports – one on the future long term solution for processing kerbside organics and the other on the short-term option. Read the meeting report on the short-term option. The report, and subsequent discussion, on the long term processing solution will be closed to the public due…
10 year wait over for Coastal Pathway
Running 6.5 kilometres from the Ferrymead bridge to Scarborough Beach in Sumner, the shared pathway will let people enjoy walking, cycling, scooting or skating safely off-road along the coast. The concept for the pathway was approved by Christchurch City Council in 2013 and made possible with support from the Government’s Shovel Ready Project Fund. Deputy…
Sail the New Brighton skies at Kite Day
From inflatable dragons, sea creatures and cartoon characters to the more classic shapes and styles, the colourful kites on display at Kite Day always draw a crowd. A popular pick on Christchurch City Council’s summer events calendar, Kite Day is a fun and relaxing way to spend a cracker summer’s day says Council Manager Events…
Environment Canterbury welcomes new study into our water quality challenge
Environment Canterbury welcomes new study into our water quality challenge Environment Canterbury agrees with a new study that found achieving national bottom lines for contaminants across New Zealand will be a huge challenge. The report released by Our Land and Water, ‘Current state of water contaminants compared to bottom lines‘, found that substantial reductions of…
Taumata Arowai declines chlorine exemption for Christchurch water supply
The applications were for a Brooklands-Kainga residual disinfection exemption, and a continuous monitoring and chlorine contact time exemption for Christchurch treatment plants and pump stations. The Council intended to apply for exemptions from residual disinfection (chlorination) on a zone-by-zone basis and started this process in October 2022 with an application for Brooklands-Kainga. This water zone…
Library space for creating connection through crafting
And have a chat while you’re at it. Library venue hireIf you have a group that needs a community space like the Riccarton Card Making Club, check out the options available through Christchurch City Libraries here. A wide range of different sized rooms are offered at various libraries in the city, and hourly charges are…
Jane Parfitt to take up Interim General Manager role
Mrs Parfitt has worked in local government for over 30 years and brings a wealth of experience to the role. “I simply couldn’t turn down the opportunity to lend a hand in steadying the organisation which is facing a variety of challenges,” she said. “I consider it a privilege to come back and work with…
Help our braided river birds rest their wings this breeding season
Help our braided river birds rest their wings this breeding season If you are exploring braided rivers this summer stick to well-formed tracks and avoid areas where birds are nesting. Braided rivers in Waitaha/Canterbury, in particular the Ashley River/Rakahuri, are the nesting sites for many rare birds after they have migrated from all over the…
Proposal for $10.8 billion investment in Canterbury’s transport system
Proposal for $10.8 billion investment in Canterbury’s transport system Over the next 10 years, Canterbury councils and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency are proposing to almost double the investment in the region’s land transport systems to increase maintenance, manage risk from natural hazards, reduce emissions, enhance safety, and accelerate key transport projects across the region….
Preparing for a hot, dry Canterbury summer
Preparing for a hot, dry Canterbury summer After experiencing years of easterly winds and wet summers, it’s time to gear up for a return to frequent nor’westers and a hot, dry season. Get ready for the possibility of high temperatures and water scarcity in an El Niño summer. Chances are, we’re in for a scorcher…
Beckenham students nurturing nature
Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto (Beckenham School) students from year five and six have been hard at work over the past few years working on restoration and planting through the Healthy Waterways School Programme. Council Community Partnerships Rangers and Community Waterways Partnership have worked collaboratively to support the Christchurch kids with planting native trees, learning…
Christchurch’s newest library to include creative space
Hornby Library is relocating from Goulding Avenue to the new centre, which is currently under construction in Kyle Park. Christchurch City Council Head of Libraries Carolyn Robertson says the Auahatanga Creative Space is an exciting addition. “Similar resources at Tūranga, Central Library, South Library and Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre have all been really popular, so…
Independent review released
The KPMG review was commissioned by the Chief Executive late last year after she had concerns about irregularities in the number of three waters staff and the way new positions were established and recruited for. The review concluded that the actual Full Time Employee (FTE) count did not match the number approved. It…
Lyttelton community board by-election to be held in February
The by-election was prompted by the resignation of Reuben Davidson, who has been elected to Parliament. Electoral legislation requires that if a vacancy arises on council or a community board more than twelve months before the next triennial election, an election must be held. The by-election will be held on Saturday 17 February 2024, and…
Ōtautahi Year of the Arts celebrated with huge Block Party
Across ten locations in four adjacent Central City blocks, the free event on Saturday 25 November offers exhibitions, artist and curator talks, an arts market, free workshops, and live performances. Christchurch City Council Manager of Events and Arts Lucy Blackmore says the Block Party is a collaboratively produced showcase of the incredible talent in Christchurch…
Your guide to the weekend ahead
Mainfreight Christmas Show Parade Christchurch’s all-new Christmas parade and festival is on this Sunday from 11am – 4pm. Come celebrate the start of the Christmas season at the Canterbury Agricultural Park. Activities start at 11am and the parade begins at 2pm. Enjoy the free Peace Train, two entertainment stages and more than 80 market stalls….
Mythological magic and mayhem for Anthony Harper Summer Theatre
The all-new comedy, The Odyssey, set in ancient Greece, brings to life the side-splitting action and misadventures of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he attempts to make his way home from the Trojan War – for an astounding ten years. An adaption of Homer’s epic poem “Odyssey”, the play follows the mythological Greek hero, Odysseus,…
Top marks for Naval Point for smart poles
Christchurch City Council was awarded the Geospatial and Smart Communities Project of the Year at the Association of Local Government Information Management Conference. Two Kōtuitui Smart Poles were installed at Te Nukutai o Tapoa – Naval Point for a two-year trial during the seaside recreational area’s recent redevelopment. Smart Christchurch Manager Michael Healy and City…
Whakaraupō kura unite for shared sustainability action
Whakaraupō kura unite for shared sustainability action In the picturesque Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour area, two kura/primary schools have embarked on their annual sustainable community project. Whakaraupō is home to five Enviroschools comprised of three primary schools and two early childhood education centres. We are the coordinating agency for Enviroschools in Waitaha/Canterbury. We currently support over 122…
Coastal Pathway has broad appeal
The keen cyclist and runner transitioned to a wheelchair in 2019 following nerve damage from radiation treatment. He uses the Coastal Pathway 2-3 times a week. Once it’s completed, the 71-year-old will be able to complete a return journey of around 13 kilometres from the Ferrymead Bridge to Scarborough, and if he adds in Charlesworth…
Spring Time is Heart-Break: Contemporary Art in Aotearoa
This summer, a major new exhibition Spring Time is Heart-break: Contemporary Art in Aotearoa opens to tell stories about personal and collective histories, encouraging us to think about the social and cultural concerns of the current moment. Curator Melanie Oliver says more than 20 projects have been commissioned for Spring Time is Heart-break, and with around…
Council opts not to include Māori constituency
Council opts not to include Māori constituency The Council has decided not to include a Māori constituency in the next local elections in 2025. “We have previously considered the option of a Māori constituency and felt the best, most appropriate representation was direct representation by mana whenua. “Nothing has changed to alter our view of…
Repairs underway on New Brighton Road
Work has begun and will be completed in two stages. Stage one will see the between Lake Terrace Road back towards the pump station which borders the red zone renewed, while stage two will see a new bridge structure built close to the existing culverts outside the pump station after Christmas. The road will be…
Can cities improve wellbeing?
The fourth and final Christchurch Conversation for 2023 seeks to explore this question in conjunction with a range of experts working in the field at the upcoming speaker event entitled ‘Can cities improve wellbeing?’. Presented by Te Pūtahi Centre for Architecture and City Making, in partnership with Christchurch City Council, ‘Can cities improve wellbeing?’ will…