Category: Christchurch Updates

Increased infrastructure investment will continue to play a critical part in securing New Zealand’s recovery from COVID-19. “For decades New Zealand’s infrastructure has been neglected. This has helped fuel the housing crisis, made it difficult to reduce emissions and negatively affected our productivity and overall wellbeing,” Grant Robertson said. “We must address our current infrastructure…

Hamilton-based Muslim community leader Anjum Rahman has described the health and welfare support she received after logging her positive COVID-19 test on My COVID Record. In a series of tweets she described the supportive calls from public health, the Waikato Care in the Community Hub, her GP, and medication delivered to her doorstep by her…

May 2022 is a special month for two iconic brands Not only is it Whānau Āwhina Plunket’s 115th birthday but it is also celebrating 30 years of enduring relationship with long-term partner Huggies™ (Kimberly-Clark). Whānau Āwhina Plunket CE, Amanda Malu, relates the partnership to that of a happy marriage, where the corporate and not-for-profit sectors…

Pacific Radiology are excited to announce their commitment to installing a state-of-the art, high-tech PET/CT scanner in a new central Dunedin purpose-built facility, providing significant benefits for cancer patients and their referring specialists. Dr Greg Harkness, Pacific Radiology’s managing radiologist for Otago-Southland confirms that planning is now underway for the construction of a new centralised…

Three Police Search and Rescue (SAR) squads have been recognised for their professionalism and expertise at the annual New Zealand Search and Rescue Awards held at Government House in Wellington last night. – West Coast and Christchurch SAR squads received a Gold Award for the rescue of a tramper from Mungo Pass in February 2021,…

Australian-based global electric vehicle charging company JOLT will in July this year start rolling out a network of free and fast electric vehicle (EV) chargers around New Zealand. The first EV fast chargers will be installed at Mitre 10 stores and retail locations in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch this year. JOLT’s national partnership with Mitre…

Challenges around climate change, increased flooding and infrastructure affordability will be the under the spotlight at a two-day Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference which gets underway this morning in Ōtautahi Christchurch (18-19 May). Water New Zealand chief executive, Gillian Blythe says there is a need for well-informed conversations with communities about potential flooding risks and…

Nine juvenile tÅ«turuatu / tchÅ«riwat’ / shore plover were translocated to Portland (Waikawa) Island earlier this month as part of ongoing efforts to preserve this rare and threatened species, thanks to ongoing efforts by the Department of Conservation with financial support from the New Zealand Nature Fund. Hatched in January and raised at the Isaac…

Budget 2022 will continue to deliver on Labour’s commitment to better mental wellbeing services and support, with 195,000 primary and intermediate aged children set to benefit from the continuation and expansion of Mana Ake services. “In Budget 2022 Labour will deliver on its manifesto commitment to expand Mana Ake, with $90-million set aside to start…

The Tyre Extinguishers in NZ have spread from the North Island to the South Island, with reports of SUVs deflated in the suburb of Halswell, Christchurch, New Zealand. SUVs in the Luxembourg Crescent, Tongariro Street, Koareare Avenue, Bouma Street and Kokoda Street area were reported to be targeted. This comes one week after Tyre Extinguishers…

New lifestyle and cooking programme significantly helps participants’ health and wellbeing, research shows. All participants in a pilot of Pegasus Health’s new lifestyle and cooking programme in the Pacific community lost body fat – with the majority also improving on key health and wellbeing measures such as lower cholesterol and more social connection. Puāwai-Kai is…

Two lucky Lotto players from Auckland and Christchurch will be feeling on top of the world after each winning $500,000 with Lotto First Division in tonight’s live Lotto draw. The winning First Division tickets were sold at Hornby Mall Lotto in Christchurch and on MyLotto to a player from Auckland. Powerball was not struck this…

Central government, mana whenua, and local government met today to mark the beginning of a new strengthened partnership to drive planning for Greater Christchurch. Minister of Housing Hon Megan Woods, Minister of Local Government Hon Nanaia Mahuta, and members of the existing Greater Christchurch Partnership have established an Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch –…

Two international quality artificial sports turfs will open in Selwyn today, giving a major boost to sports participation and excellence in Waikirikiri Selwyn District. The football and hockey turfs at Foster Park, Rolleston, will be opened this evening, providing a facility to support all-weather sport from community games to major tournaments. Canterbury sporting icon and…

Hamilton has joined other councils in supporting a law change to reduce alcohol-related harm in the community. Hamilton City Council Elected Members today voted unanimously to support Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick’s private members bill which aims to put more controls around the sale of liquor. Whanganui, Christchurch and Auckland councils have already indicated their…

The Commerce Commission is inviting feedback on its initial views, released today, about Wellington Airport’s pricing decisions for specified airport services, such as aircraft parking or airfield and passenger terminal charges, for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2024. Under Part 4 of the Commerce Act, Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch International Airports must…

Hamilton City Council and Whanganui District Council have both joined a growing list of Local Authorities to pass a motion in support of Green Party Drug Reform Spokesperson Chlöe Swarbrick’s Members’ bill to minimise alcohol harm. “Barely a day goes by without hearing about alcohol harm, but it’s been years since we’ve seen meaningful political…

– Whanganui and Hamilton City Councils vote to support MP ChlÓ§e Swarbrick’s Private Members’ Bill – The Bill seeks to empower community voices to address local alcohol availability and reduce the harm from alcohol sponsorship of sport Whanganui District Council and Hamilton City Council are the latest to join growing calls for stronger protections from…

Solomon Islands will host the 2023 Pacific Games starting in November next year and is gearing up with the help of Kiwis. Helen Egan, a professional coach in equestrian and national coach for the New Zealand Pony Club Association is packing her bags to fly to Solomon Islands on 18 May as one of Volunteer…

Deaf people across Aotearoa New Zealand will now have access to comprehensive advice about emergency preparedness, with New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week marking the launch of Get Ready in NZSL by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in partnership with Deaf Aotearoa. Getready.govt.nz supports individuals, whānau, communities, schools and businesses to get ready for,…

Christchurch industry, through economic development agency ChristchurchNZ and the Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce, are calling for the Government to increase skilled migration as the impacts of an extreme skilled labour shortage are putting the brakes on Canterbury’s economic growth. The case for more skilled migration is made in a report that focuses on the…

Australia and New Zealand’s leading e-scooter operator Neuron Mobility is marking this year’s National Road Safety Week by launching a new campaign to highlight the impacts that irresponsible e-scooter riding can have on different members of our communities. Partnering with National Road Safety Charity, Brake New Zealand, the campaign explores community perspectives around e-scooter use…

On Tuesday, following a race at Addington Raceway, greyhound ‘Epic Addi’ was found to have a displaced compound fracture of the right fore ulna and radius, with soft tissue damage up to the elbow joint. Eight greyhounds have died on racetracks to date this season, with five of the eight deaths occurring at Addington Raceway….

New research into New Zealand’s sustainability profession has found Kiwi businesses are continuing to invest in and prioritise sustainability by embedding it more broadly across their organisations, but highlights there are challenges ahead. Oxygen Consulting in collaboration with the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and Auckland University of Technology (AUT) will today…

The latest QV House Price Index shows the housing market is under increasing pressure from rising interest rates. Loan affordability constraints are limiting buyers, and those who are in the market are spoilt for choice as listing levels far outstrip demand. The average home decreased in value by 2.2% nationally over the past three-month period…

A group of Christchurch women have banded together to help raise funds for the Ukrainian people. The six driven and passionate women have invited the Ukrainian Honorary Consul, Oleksandr (Alex) Kirichuk, to Christchurch to talk, over three nights, at venues across Christchurch. Marie McMillan says they knew they had to do something. “It’s horrendous what…

The coronial inquiry into the March 15 terror attack is now likely to highlight the inadequacy of the firearms legislation that was rushed through by Government afterwards, says the Council of Licensed Firearm Owners (COLFO). The coronial inquiry into the Christchurch Mosque attacks has announced that it will review whether the firearms licensing process followed…

As a member of the New Zealand Army Band, Cameron Burnett, an Ara Music Arts alumnus from 2015 was honoured to be chosen as the ceremonial drummer for both the Dawn Service at Anzac Cove, as well as the New Zealand Service at Chunuk Bair. Current Ara Music Arts students Raynor Martin and Sam Powell,…

A decision by the coroner to investigate the role of digital platforms in the Christchurch terror attack has been called a “landmark moment” for the accountability of social media platforms by the national coordinator of the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand. In an earlier decision, the Coroner’s Court had ruled that the role of…

If you are carrying a few extra kilos in weight, an extra apple or two per day might make a difference in boosting your immune system and helping ward off COVID-19 and winter illnesses. New University of Otago, Christchurch research has identified, for the first time, exactly how much extra vitamin C humans need to…