The growing trend of dark tourism Why do people want to visit sites of atrocities and natural disasters? It’s a question University of Canterbury’s Professor Girish Prayag has been researching in his study of dark tourism – the name given to visiting places associated with death or a difficult history. Professor Girish Prayag is a…
Love of her work is driving Courtney Comely at UC
Love of her work is driving Courtney Comely at UC One of six students to win the University of Canterbury’s second-year award for excellence, Courtney Comley chose to study a Bachelor of Commerce at UC because of her love for maths, politics and a more equitable society. A major in Economics ticked all those boxes…
UC students reimagine play in a sustainable future
UC students reimagine play in a sustainable future Third year management students at the University of Canterbury (UC) Business School took on a real-world assignment to find solutions to help ZURU Toys continue to reimagine play after the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) were at the heart of the solutions, particularly…
Ōtautahi set to look to the stars once again with historic telescope
Ōtautahi set to look to the stars once again with historic telescope #Philanthropy@UC Stargazing is set to return to Ōtautahi Chirstchurch thanks to a generous donation and the careful restoration of Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Townsend Teece six-inch refractor telescope. A rare scientific instrument, it was built in 1864…
University of Canterbury collaborates with NASA on spacecraft tracking
University of Canterbury collaborates with NASA on spacecraft tracking The University of Canterbury is leading a research collaboration to track Moon-orbiting spacecraft, with assistance from NASA’s CAPSTONE mission. UC Mt John Observatory The University of Canterbury-led research team aims to help validate a research approach to create cislunar space situational awareness capability – which is…
Getting crafty about sharing the joy of maths
Getting crafty about sharing the joy of maths #Philanthropy@UC Chaos theory and crochet collide in Ōtautahi Christchurch as mathematicians at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) playfully promote the art and craft of mathematics. Maths Craft New Zealand has been created to bring together craft-loving maths experts and enthusiastic amateurs, maths-fans…
Nathan Guy new Chairman of Meat Industry Association
Former Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has been appointed the new Chairman of the Meat Industry Association following the retirement of current Chairman John Loughlin from the role. Mr Loughlin finishes his six-year term after the annual Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch on 31 July-1 August 2022. “It has been a privilege to serve…
Libraries will play an important role in the future of local govt – LIANZA
A review into the future of local government is underway and libraries will play a vital role in how councils create a future for communities to prosper and thrive, says the Library and Information Association of New Zealand. An online panel compered by Jehan Casinader, to be held on June 27, 3-4pm, will discuss the…
Matariki projects star in latest round of Tourism Infrastructure Fund – Nash, Henare
Minister of Tourism Stuart Nash and Associate Minister of Tourism Peeni Henare announced the sixth round of recipients of the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF), which supports local government to address tourism infrastructure needs. This TIF round will invest $15 million into projects around the country. For the first time, TIF criteria considered infrastructure to…
UC PhD skills contributing to conserving Nigerian Montane Forest
UC PhD skills contributing to conserving Nigerian Montane Forest #Philanthropy@UC Iveren Abiem’s homeland of Nigeria is set to benefit from all the knowledge and expertise she’s accumulated at the University of Canterbury (UC) over the past four years. This biodiversity-conservation project is led by Iveren’s PhD supervisor, UC Associate Professor Hazel Chapman. It is…
WIDE Trust grant supports potentially ground-breaking timber wall research
WIDE Trust grant supports potentially ground-breaking timber wall research #Philanthropy@UC A generous scholarship has proven a game-changer for a researcher and his PhD student at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC). The research based in Te Tari Pūhanga Metarahi, Rawa Taiao | Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering could have…
Fiona’s gift helps social workers to help others
Fiona’s gift helps social workers to help others #Philanthropy@UC A young woman who cared about people and held a strong sense of social justice has created a powerful legacy for Social Work students at the University of Canterbury. Fiona Leeves graduated UC with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology and started her third year…
Aotearoa’s leading food, fibre and agritech innovations recognised at awards
An outstanding lineup of innovations competed for top spot at the Food, Fibre and Agritech Challenge showcase and awards event. SuperPro, the makers of a highly soluble and nutritional pea protein for the growing plant-based foods market took out the overall prize and the research grand prize in the second annual Food, Fibre and Agritech…
Research support advances knowledge in crop and seed sector
Research support advances knowledge in crop and seed sector #Philanthropy@UC With funding from the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and the Seed Industry Research Centre (SIRC), students at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) can do valuable field and lab research aimed at supporting responsible and profitable farming. UC Emerita Professor…
Staying well this Matariki weekend – Canterbury DHB
Hector Matthews, System Wide Operations Centre Controller, Canterbury DHB, is urging Cantabrians to connect with whÄnau and friends this Matariki weekend and check in that everyone is well, including up to date with health checks and vaccinations for the winter. “Winter is always a busy time for the health and disability sector, but this season…
Thousands Raised at Mystery Dining Bash – Ronald McDonald House South Island
The 16th Christchurch Supper Club, presented by Alliance Group, was hosted last Friday night at Majestic in Christchurch. Thanks to the outstanding generosity of all involved, Ronald McDonald House South Island’s first event of 2022 raised over $145,000. Every cent raised goes directly to supporting families who require a ‘home-away-from-home’ while their child receives hospital…
Smart Christchurch strategy out for consultation
A new Smart Christchurch Strategy is out for public consultation. “It is six years since the establishment of the Smart Christchurch programme so it is time for us to reflect on the progress that we have made and formalise our strategy,’’ says Smart Christchurch Manager Michael Healy. Christchurch City Council set up Smart Christchurch in…
Second Pacifica Shipping vessel adds capacity and frequency
New Zealand – Pacifica Shipping confirms it is introducing a second vessel onto its New Zealand coastal shipping service, which is expected to be operational mid- September this year. The vessel will add 1,300TEU extra capacity every week and will complement the existing coastal service provided by Pacifica Shipping’s MV Moana Chief, a 1,700TEU ship,…
Owners of vacant land in CBD face higher rate charges
Christchurch City Council is introducing an incentive for property owners in the central city to keep their vacant sites tidy. The Council has approved a new rating scheme that will affect the owners of vacant properties in the Central City Business Zone and the Central City (South Frame) Mixed Use Zone. In those two zones,…
Christchurch Aerospace Challenge Winner Announced
“New Zealand’s aerospace sector is stretching what’s possible for global aerospace technology and capability. We are delighted to support the 2022 Christchurch Aerospace Challenge, gathering bright minds, and getting their world-leading ideas recognised and ready to disrupt aerial imagery capture globally.” UAS & Woods was one of three finalists, who were each awarded $10,000 grants…
EIT and Sport Hawke’s Bay scholarship supports local athletes
Four promising young athletes have been awarded the Sport Hawke’s Bay – EIT Sports Scholarships for 2022, aimed at assisting top sports performers to train and study in the region. The recipients: Hannah Hunt (Canoe Polo), Noah Sloan (Hockey), Sarah Birkett (Swimming and Surf Life Saving) and Guy Harrison (Para-Athletics and Para-Swimming) say the scholarships…
Christchurch City Council finalises $1.27 billion budget
Christchurch City Council has finalised its $1.27 billion budget for the coming year, agreeing on an average rate increase of 4.66 per cent. “Given the current economic environment and the inflationary pressures, I am pleased we have been able to keep this year’s rate rise below the 4.96 per cent figure that we signalled earlier…
Households get more time to reduce their water use
Christchurch City Council is pushing out the introduction of a targeted rating scheme aimed at helping manage the demand for water. When the Council approved its 2021-31 Long Term Plan last year, it agreed that it would introduce an excess water use targeted rate from 1 July 2022. The rate is aimed at the small…
Christchurch Aerospace Challenge winner announced
The winner of the Christchurch Aerospace Challenge was announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, which showcased the rising talent working on aerospace innovations across New Zealand. UAS & Woods was selected as the winner from an impressive pool of local innovators, and was awarded a $30,000 contract with Christchurch City Council to trial and…
Mayor urges people to submit on Water Services Entities Bill
Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel says it is important that residents with concerns about the Government’s three waters reforms make submissions on the Water Services Entities Bill. The Bill, which is currently out for public consultation, will establish four publicly owned water services entities that will take over the responsibility for providing drinking water, wastewater and…
Surprise find – 175 invertebrate species in city wetland
Rare native and endemic invertebrate populations are flourishing in a wetland next to the Avon-Heathcote Estuary / Ihutai in Ferrymead. Third-year University of Canterbury Bachelor of Science student Julia Palmer found 175 different invertebrate species living in the restored wetland at Charlesworth Reserve in a recently completed study. Forty of these were common species and…
Aotearoa’s Leading Food, Fibre and Agritech Innovations Recognised At Awards
An outstanding lineup of innovations competed for top spot at the Food, Fibre and Agritech Challenge showcase and awards event. SuperPro, the makers of a highly soluble and nutritional pea protein for the growing plant-based foods market took out the overall prize and the research grand prize in the second annual Food, Fibre and Agritech…
What’s on in Christchurch over the holiday weekend
From lights and dancing to inflatable fun, there’s lots to do over the holiday weekend as Matariki celebrations kick off around the city. Tirama Mai The second annual Tīrama Mai lighting festival starts this Friday 24 June and runs until Sunday 3 July. The free event features a series of illuminated artworks, dazzling light displays and live…
Canterbury innovators rise to the Food, Fibre and Agritech Challenge
Canterbury innovators rise to the Food, Fibre and Agritech Challenge The 2022 Food, Fibre and Agritech Supernode Challenge climaxed in an outstanding Showcase during E Tipu: The Boma Agri Summit. The gala evening on 21 June highlighted and rewarded the impressive prize-winning thinking behind the top 12 ventures entered in this year’s Challenge. University of…
Over 67,000 people and their property ‘endangered by Police negligence’ – COLFO
Confirmation today that a register of firearm owners stolen from Auckland Police station covers 2003-2018, means over 67,000 firearm owners and their private addresses may have been in the hands of criminals. The Council of Licensed Firearms Owners (COLFO) says the Auckland Police were likely to have processed firearm licence applications for Northland, Waitemata, Auckland…