Latest news with #Ashburton-based
Scoop
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Nyree Huyser & Play Drama Workshops To Release Heartfelt Charity Single 'Version Of You' In Aid Of Youthline NZ
Press Release – Nyree Huyser Out September 5 All Proceeds Donated to Youth Mental Health Services Acclaimed vocalist Nyree Huyser has teamed up with local drama school, PLAY! Drama Workshops, to release an uplifting new charity single entitled 'Version Of You', available on all streaming platforms from September 5, 2025. With 100% of proceeds going to Youthline NZ, the single aims to raise awareness and support for youth mental health across Aotearoa. ' Version of You ' was born during a transformative holiday workshop led by PLAY! Drama Workshops, a creative space designed to nurture self-expression in young performers. During the workshop, students opened up about themes of self-worth, identity, and mental health before taking a day trip to a local studio to record their vocals. Together with Nyree, the young artists co-created a track that they hope will send positivity and love to their young community. Check out 'Version Of You' right here: 'This song is more than just a melody – it's a message,' says Nyree. 'Working alongside these incredible young performers was so special, it's astonishing to understand the mental struggle so many young people still face today that doesn't necessarily show on the outside. We hope this song reminds every young person listening that they are not alone, that with support things can and will get better.' With soaring vocals and encouraging lyrics, 'Version Of You' captures both the vulnerability and resilience of today's youth. The words are cradled by a beautiful acoustic guitar piece volunteered by renowned Auckland-based guitarist and musical director, Dixon Nacey. The song was recorded, produced and mastered by kiwi podcaster, Stephen Garton, free of charge at his Ashburton-based studio. This entire collaboration shines a spotlight on the importance of open conversation around mental health – a mission that aligns perfectly with the work of Youthline NZ, who have been supporting young Kiwis through counselling, mentoring, and crisis services for over 50 years. 'We're proud to support Youthline through this project,' adds Nickie Tabukovu, founder of PLAY! Drama Workshops. 'Our young performers poured their hearts into this, and we hope it helps spark more conversations in homes, schools, and communities.' 'Version Of You' will be available to stream and purchase from September 5 on all major platforms. Listeners are encouraged to download and/or donate, with all funds going to Youthline NZ. About Nyree Huyser Nyree Huyser is a Christchurch-based singer and performer known for her powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and captivating live performances. With a passion for using music to uplift and inspire, Nyree has built a career that blends art with advocacy. Some may recognise Nyree from The Voice Australia or New Zealand's 'Synthony'. About PLAY! Drama Workshops Created by Nickie Tabukovu, PLAY! Drama Workshops is a creative hub for children and teens to explore storytelling, performance, and personal growth. With a focus on confidence, connection, and creativity, PLAY empowers young people to express their truth through the arts. About Youthline NZ Youthline has been supporting young people and their families across Aotearoa since 1970. Through 24/7 helplines, counselling, and development programmes, Youthline is a vital lifeline for those navigating mental health challenges.
Scoop
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Nyree Huyser & Play Drama Workshops To Release Heartfelt Charity Single 'Version Of You' In Aid Of Youthline NZ
Press Release – Nyree Huyser Acclaimed vocalist Nyree Huyser has teamed up with local drama school, PLAY! Drama Workshops, to release an uplifting new charity single entitled 'Version Of You', available on all streaming platforms from September 5, 2025. With 100% of proceeds going to Youthline NZ, the single aims to raise awareness and support for youth mental health across Aotearoa. ' Version of You ' was born during a transformative holiday workshop led by PLAY! Drama Workshops, a creative space designed to nurture self-expression in young performers. During the workshop, students opened up about themes of self-worth, identity, and mental health before taking a day trip to a local studio to record their vocals. Together with Nyree, the young artists co-created a track that they hope will send positivity and love to their young community. Check out 'Version Of You' right here: 'This song is more than just a melody – it's a message,' says Nyree. 'Working alongside these incredible young performers was so special, it's astonishing to understand the mental struggle so many young people still face today that doesn't necessarily show on the outside. We hope this song reminds every young person listening that they are not alone, that with support things can and will get better.' With soaring vocals and encouraging lyrics, 'Version Of You' captures both the vulnerability and resilience of today's youth. The words are cradled by a beautiful acoustic guitar piece volunteered by renowned Auckland-based guitarist and musical director, Dixon Nacey. The song was recorded, produced and mastered by kiwi podcaster, Stephen Garton, free of charge at his Ashburton-based studio. This entire collaboration shines a spotlight on the importance of open conversation around mental health – a mission that aligns perfectly with the work of Youthline NZ, who have been supporting young Kiwis through counselling, mentoring, and crisis services for over 50 years. 'We're proud to support Youthline through this project,' adds Nickie Tabukovu, founder of PLAY! Drama Workshops. 'Our young performers poured their hearts into this, and we hope it helps spark more conversations in homes, schools, and communities.' 'Version Of You' will be available to stream and purchase from September 5 on all major platforms. Listeners are encouraged to download and/or donate, with all funds going to Youthline NZ. About Nyree Huyser Nyree Huyser is a Christchurch-based singer and performer known for her powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and captivating live performances. With a passion for using music to uplift and inspire, Nyree has built a career that blends art with advocacy. Some may recognise Nyree from The Voice Australia or New Zealand's 'Synthony'. About PLAY! Drama Workshops Created by Nickie Tabukovu, PLAY! Drama Workshops is a creative hub for children and teens to explore storytelling, performance, and personal growth. With a focus on confidence, connection, and creativity, PLAY empowers young people to express their truth through the arts. About Youthline NZ Youthline has been supporting young people and their families across Aotearoa since 1970. Through 24/7 helplines, counselling, and development programmes, Youthline is a vital lifeline for those navigating mental health challenges.
Scoop
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Nyree Huyser & Play Drama Workshops To Release Heartfelt Charity Single 'Version Of You' In Aid Of Youthline NZ
Acclaimed vocalist Nyree Huyser has teamed up with local drama school, PLAY! Drama Workshops, to release an uplifting new charity single entitled 'Version Of You', available on all streaming platforms from September 5, 2025. With 100% of proceeds going to Youthline NZ, the single aims to raise awareness and support for youth mental health across Aotearoa. ' Version of You ' was born during a transformative holiday workshop led by PLAY! Drama Workshops, a creative space designed to nurture self-expression in young performers. During the workshop, students opened up about themes of self-worth, identity, and mental health before taking a day trip to a local studio to record their vocals. Together with Nyree, the young artists co-created a track that they hope will send positivity and love to their young community. Check out 'Version Of You' right here: 'This song is more than just a melody – it's a message,' says Nyree. 'Working alongside these incredible young performers was so special, it's astonishing to understand the mental struggle so many young people still face today that doesn't necessarily show on the outside. We hope this song reminds every young person listening that they are not alone, that with support things can and will get better.' With soaring vocals and encouraging lyrics, 'Version Of You' captures both the vulnerability and resilience of today's youth. The words are cradled by a beautiful acoustic guitar piece volunteered by renowned Auckland-based guitarist and musical director, Dixon Nacey. The song was recorded, produced and mastered by kiwi podcaster, Stephen Garton, free of charge at his Ashburton-based studio. This entire collaboration shines a spotlight on the importance of open conversation around mental health – a mission that aligns perfectly with the work of Youthline NZ, who have been supporting young Kiwis through counselling, mentoring, and crisis services for over 50 years. 'We're proud to support Youthline through this project,' adds Nickie Tabukovu, founder of PLAY! Drama Workshops. 'Our young performers poured their hearts into this, and we hope it helps spark more conversations in homes, schools, and communities.' 'Version Of You' will be available to stream and purchase from September 5 on all major platforms. Listeners are encouraged to download and/or donate, with all funds going to Youthline NZ. About Nyree Huyser Nyree Huyser is a Christchurch-based singer and performer known for her powerhouse vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and captivating live performances. With a passion for using music to uplift and inspire, Nyree has built a career that blends art with advocacy. Some may recognise Nyree from The Voice Australia or New Zealand's 'Synthony'. About PLAY! Drama Workshops Created by Nickie Tabukovu, PLAY! Drama Workshops is a creative hub for children and teens to explore storytelling, performance, and personal growth. With a focus on confidence, connection, and creativity, PLAY empowers young people to express their truth through the arts. About Youthline NZ Youthline has been supporting young people and their families across Aotearoa since 1970. Through 24/7 helplines, counselling, and development programmes, Youthline is a vital lifeline for those navigating mental health challenges.
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Selwyn, Ashburton buck the building trend
Parts of Canterbury are bucking the national trend as new homes continue to go up in the Selwyn and Ashburton districts. Nationally the building sector has had a slowdown, with recent Stats NZ figures showing the number of new builds was down 3.8% in the year to May 2025. But Selwyn and Ashburton have both experienced booms in recent times and now, after a plateau, the numbers are trending back up in both districts. In the last 10 years Selwyn - which includes Rolleston and Lincoln - has had 14,647 new homes consented, an average of 1627 per year. In the 2024-25 year, it issued 1378 consents, a 7.2% increase on the previous year. Council director of development and growth Robert Love said that looking ahead to the current financial year, he is expecting growth to be 'higher than we have seen in the previous two financial years', but not near the peak years of 2020/2021 (1949) and 2021/2022 (2175). In Ashburton, new home builds were up 25.9% in 2024/25, with 204 consents issued - higher than the 10-year average of 190. New Zealand Certified Builders Mid-South Canterbury regional president Johnny Rive, owner of Ashburton-based J Rive Construction, said things are just steady. 'Ashburton seems to be ticking along regardless of what the rest of the country is doing.' He said it wasn't a boom - which are not great for anyone. 'That's when prices go up, everyone is busy, and the work quality goes down,' Rive said. 'The spot we are in now, everyone has a bit of time to do the job the way it should be done, while contractors and suppliers aren't increasing prices. 'It's a happy medium as no one is undercutting each other, so everyone is still making the profit they need to without taking the piss.' The price of land in Ashburton is a key difference, even compared to the nearby growth areas of Lincoln, Rolleston, and Christchurch, he said. 'People can't believe for $250,000 you can get 800 square metres sections in a new subdivision [in Ashburton] when they are spending at least $350,000 or more on something like that elsewhere.' There are a number of multi-section subdivisions popping up, keeping the local builders in business as the town grows, he said. And its not just Ashburton, with a large number of the new homes popping up in Methven and new subdivisions in Rakaia. Rive also said he knows there has been an influx of people moving to the district from big cities for the more affordable housing options. While Selwyn and Ashburton new builds increased, it was a different story for their neighbours. Down in Timaru, there were 139 new homes consents in 2024/25, one lower than the previous 12 months, with a 10-year average of 187.3. Timaru District Council building control manager Jayson Ellis said he believed that Timaru 'will not see any significant increase in new houses over the next 12 months when comparing to the last 2 years'. Waimakariri District Council building unit manager Aaron Haymes said the district had 659 new builds in 2024/25, down from 770 the previous year, with a 10-year average of 692.5. 'Consent numbers have been steady and all signals from the sector appear to support a continuation of construction activity in the Waimakariri District at similar levels,' Haymes said. Christchurch City Council head of planning and consents Mark Stevenson also reported a 4% drop, with the 2998 new build consents in 2024/25, down from 3124 the previous year, but both above the 10-year average of 2500. 'Annual consent numbers have varied [over the past decade], ranging from around 1,700 to 3,900 new homes. 'Assuming no significant changes in market conditions or demand for new housing in Christchurch, it is reasonable to expect that future consent levels will remain broadly in line with historical trends for additional housing,' Stevenson said. By Jonathan Leask, Local Democracy Reporter
