Don’t pack away the jandals just yet, there’s still plenty of summer fun ahead. Christchurch City Council’s programme of summer events continues throughout January and February. Treetech Sparks Perennial favourite, Treetech Sparks, is back to delight the crowds and light up the Christchurch skies on Saturday 21 January from 6.30pm – 9.30pm. The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra…
New Rapaki trails proving popular with walkers and riders
Thousands of mountain bikers and walkers have explored two new trails above the lower half of Rapaki Track over the summer break. The Elevator dual-direction mountain bike trail and Kowhai walking trail opened in early December, and regional parks manager, Kay Holder, says they’re helping ease the pressure on the busy Rapaki Track. “Rapaki Track…
Do you want strong biosecurity outcomes? Then we want to hear from you.
Do you want strong biosecurity outcomes? Then we want to hear from you. If you want to be a champion for biosecurity outcomes and create lasting change in your community, we want to hear from you. There is still time for community members to apply for on one of four Biosecurity Advisory Groups, with applications…
2023 Waka Ama Sprint National Championships is back!
HurÅ! Waka Ama is back! The Aotearoa Waka Ama whÄnau is set to compete at the 33rd Annual Waka Ama Sprint National Championships on Lake KarÄpiro, Cambridge starting this Sunday. Waka Ama New Zealand CEO, Lara Collins says the event, which starts Sunday 15th and ends Saturday 21st of January, promises to be full of…
Central Stags named for top of the table clash
Briefly switching formats this week, Ford Trophy leaders the Central Stags are on a quick trip to Christchurch for a top-of-the-table one-dayer with Canterbury at Hagley Oval tomorrow, Wednesday 11 January. The Stags have won four of their six Ford Trophy games so far this season, including three bonus-point victories, and lead Canterbury on the…
Working instead of welfare? We hear ya! – Karen Chhour
“There are 170,037 New Zealanders on Jobseeker Support, with 98,934 of them classified as work-ready when businesses are crying out for labour. There should be no excuse for them to turn down suitable work,” says ACT’s Social Development spokesperson Karen Chhour. “It’s mindboggling for employers how there can be so many potential workers on a…
Ōtākaro Chief Executive retiring
Latest update: 10/01/2023 Ōtākaro Chief Executive retiring January 2023 Ōtākaro Limited Chief Executive, John Bridgman, has announced he will be retiring as Chief Executive of Ōtākaro at the end of March. He will continue as a Director of both Waka Kotahi and Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities. Mr Bridgman has been at the helm…
John Bridgman retiring as Chief Executive of ÅtÄkaro
ÅtÄkaro Limited Chief Executive, John Bridgman, has announced he will be retiring as Chief Executive of ÅtÄkaro at the end of March. He will continue as a Director of both Waka Kotahi and KÄinga Ora – Homes and Communities. Mr Bridgman has been at the helm of ÅtÄkaro for the past four and a half…
Working instead of welfare? We hear ya! – Karen Chhour
“There are 170,037 New Zealanders on Jobseeker Support, with 98,934 of them classified as work-ready when businesses are crying out for labour. There should be no excuse for them to turn down suitable work,” says ACT’s Social Development spokesperson Karen Chhour. “It’s mindboggling for employers how there can be so many potential workers on a…
Protecting braided river birds pays off in North Canterbury
Protecting braided river birds pays off in North Canterbury The community got a first-hand look at how black-fronted terns and black-billed gulls are being protected in North Canterbury. Presentations at the rugby club before the river visit Around 40 people attended the braided river birds field day in Culverden in late November, which was organised…
University of Otago research highlights
Focusing on LGBTIQ+ homelessness As a young campaigner on social justice and LGBTIQ+ rights, Dr Brodie Fraser has found working as a researcher in the Department of Public Health a perfect mix of their academic and activist interests. A Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago, Wellington, Fraser…
‘Armed hold ups will return as Government releases map of cigarette outlets’
Dairy owners are dismayed at maps showing where the Government will allow ‘smoked tobacco’ to be sold , which will lead to serious crime like armed holdups, car jackings and even kidnapping, given each outlet is likely to average $4 million in sales with a large percentage being cash. “Will the government listen? No. This…
New shearing record – Shearing Sports NZ
Another World lambshearing record has been cracked in the Central North Island, helped by one of the pair that had held the record for two decades Simon Goss, 26, of Mangamahu, northeast of Whanganui, and 32-year-old Jamie Skiffington, of Rotorua, shore 1410 to break the eight-hours record for strongwool lambs yesterday(Wednesday). In Goss’s corner in…
New shearing record – Shearing Sports NZ
Another World lambshearing record has been cracked in the Central North Island, helped by one of the pair that had held the record for two decades Simon Goss, 26, of Mangamahu, northeast of Whanganui, and 32-year-old Jamie Skiffington, of Rotorua, shore 1410 to break the eight-hours record for strongwool lambs yesterday(Wednesday). In Goss’s corner in…
Extra cargo flights a boost for kiwi delicacies – Christchurch International Airport
High-value export markets are looking forward to famous South Island delicacies about to arrive from Christchurch Airport. China Airlines has scheduled eight dedicated B777F freight aircraft between Taipei and Christchurch during January to take the prized exports into Asian markets. The services will transport 800,000 kilograms of high value exports, including live lobsters, live oysters,…
Extra cargo flights a boost for kiwi delicacies – Christchurch International Airport
High-value export markets are looking forward to famous South Island delicacies about to arrive from Christchurch Airport. China Airlines has scheduled eight dedicated B777F freight aircraft between Taipei and Christchurch during January to take the prized exports into Asian markets. The services will transport 800,000 kilograms of high value exports, including live lobsters, live oysters,…
Decreasing rate of NZ house price falls probably a false dawn – CoreLogic
Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing market downturn appeared to lose further momentum over the final months of 2022, however additional interest rate rises in the first half of the year is likely to lead to ongoing weakness in the property market in 2023. CoreLogic’s House Price Index (HPI) shows property values fell -0.2% in December, a…
Decreasing rate of NZ house price falls probably a false dawn – CoreLogic
Aotearoa New Zealand’s housing market downturn appeared to lose further momentum over the final months of 2022, however additional interest rate rises in the first half of the year is likely to lead to ongoing weakness in the property market in 2023. CoreLogic’s House Price Index (HPI) shows property values fell -0.2% in December, a…
Christchurch Lotto player wins $1 million – Lotto NZ
One lucky Lotto player from Christchurch will be starting their year on a high after winning $1 million with Lotto First Division in tonight’s live Lotto draw. The winning ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Christchurch. Powerball was not struck this evening and has rolled over to Saturday night, where the jackpot…
A strong summer for tourism builds on a bumper year – Nash
A strong summer for tourism builds on a bumper year Half a million international visitors estimated to arrive in the next two months Total tourism expenditure was $26.5 billion for year ended March 2022 International tourism expenditure increased 30.6 percent ($455 million) to $1.9 billion for year ended March 2022 GST generated from international tourists…
Fire and Emergency Honours recipients congratulated
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan has congratulated six firefighters and support personnel from Blenheim, Porirua, Waipawa, Ngaruawahia, Mapua and Omarama who have been recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours list released today. “It is a privilege to have such public-spirited and dedicated New Zealanders offer their time and skills to…
Media Advisory: Royal New Zealand Pipe Band Associations’ Annual Summer School
The largest gathering of pipers and drummers in the Southern Hemisphere is taking place at the 2023 RNZPBA Annual Summer School in Christchurch between Wednesday 11 January 2023 and Sunday 15 January 2023. Over 150 pipers and drummers from 10 years old through to 65 and above will spend part of their summer at St…
Thank you from New Conservative!
Another busy year of advancing the conservative cause in New Zealand has come to a close. We had the pleasure of helping out the New Conservative stand at Fieldays three weeks ago, and enjoyed chatting with some of you. Steven and Kevin ran a “pelt your favourite politician” competition where people could throw ping pong…
Tenacious terns make a comeback
Akaroa and its visitors are being called on to help protect a pair of at risk native birds and their newly hatched chick called Christmas. The pair of white-fronted terns/tara have a well-hidden nest, tucked between the wharf bearers and seemingly happy to co-exist with humans. It’s the second year in a row a pair…
Thriller author books most popular read
While historical author Lucinda Riley and comedian Richard Osman are rising in the ranks of popular adult fiction, no one can bump Lee Child off the top spot. For the fifth year in a row, the British thriller writer (who is now co-writing with his brother) has taken out Christchurch City Libraries’ most popular adult…
Marine Mammal Management Plan For The ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix Released
The world’s first climate positive sports and entertainment property, SailGP recognises its shared responsibility to protect the environments in which it operates and has rigorous marine mammal protection protocols in place for every city it visits, including Ōtautahi, Christchurch. The MMMP for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix has been developed under the guidance…
Walking track network expands in time for summer
Another portion of the Te Kuru stormwater facility in the upper catchment of the Ōpāwaho Heathcote River has been completed in time for summer. Walking and cycling tracks around the Sutherlands Basin section of Te Kuru are now open to the public. This adds 3km to the 4km of tracks opened to the public in…
Trades teaching veteran reflects as ‘big name’ exits the industry – Te Pukenga
A veteran of Ara Institute of Canterbury’s Trades carpentry programme is taking time to reflect on two decades of dedication to the success of the Industry Training Association Building scheme (ITAB) which is drawing to an end. Composed of on-site practical skills (8000 hours), theory and practical institute learning the ITAB was a pathway for…
Marine mammal management plan for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix released
The world’s first climate positive sports and entertainment property, SailGP recognises its shared responsibility to protect the environments in which it operates and has rigorous marine mammal protection protocols in place for every city it visits, including Ōtautahi, Christchurch. The MMMP for the ITM New Zealand Sail Grand Prix has been developed under the guidance…
Work progresses on Coastal Pathway
Cycle lanes will be reinstated and traffic layout will return to normal on Main Road as work on the Te Ara Ihutai Christchurch Coastal Pathway pauses over the holiday period. Contractors Fulton Hogan have been working on the tricky final part of the Coastal Pathway between the eastern end of Redcliffs Village and Shag Rock,…