Latest news with #Cantabrians
Scoop
4 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
ECAN Study Confirms Canterbury Nitrate Issue Escalating
Greenpeace Aotearoa is calling on Environment Canterbury (ECan) to put an end to dairy expansion on the plains, following new data that shows nitrate contamination worsening in the region. ECan's latest Annual Ground Water Quality Survey released this week shows that nitrate-nitrogen contamination is worsening across 62% of groundwater wells, while 18% show no change in contamination and 20% show a decrease, in sites where a ten-year trend can be established "This data confirms what's been clear for years: nitrate contamination is a worsening crisis for Canterbury. Everybody should have access to clean, safe drinking water, but for many Cantabrians, turning on the kitchen tap means worrying about getting sick," says Greenpeace freshwater campaigner Will Appelbe. "The ECan study directly acknowledges that the main source of nitrate contamination is intensive dairying and the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. It points out that most affected communities are those 'in areas around and downstream of intensive farming'. "Despite the worsening freshwater crisis, ECan has given approval for a wave of dairy expansions across the region, which will devastate freshwater ecosystems and increase nitrate contamination of drinking water." Since the start of the year, Environment Canterbury has approved over a dozen resource consents for dairy expansions, enabling nearly 16,000 cattle to be added to the region's dairy herd. "Town supplies in Hinds, Darfield and Oxford have already exceeded 5 mg/L, levels of nitrate associated with an increased risk of cancer and pre-term birth. As nitrate levels increase, it's only a matter of time before a baby in Canterbury is seriously harmed by Blue Baby Syndrome as a result of nitrate-contaminated drinking water," says Appelbe. "This is a serious health issue that Environment Canterbury should be deeply concerned by." "It's not too late to turn things around. If we reduce the number of dairy cows and phase out the use of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, we can restore water quality and ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to clean, safe drinking water. "Environment Canterbury is utterly failing in its responsibility to protect sources of drinking water. People across the region expect better, and are willing to stand up for safe drinking water. Candidates standing for the Canterbury Regional Council in the upcoming local elections must commit to clean drinking water for all, and to end the intensive dairy industry's contamination of groundwater."
The Spinoff
05-08-2025
- Business
- The Spinoff
I can't stop thinking about the Christchurch kimono frenzy
10,000 kimonos… 10,000 unanswered questions. On Saturday morning at 9.57am, I joined a humming, 20-strong throng of Cantabrians champing at the bit for the City Mission op shop on Barbadoes Street to throw open their doors. 'It's like a Black Friday sale,' one woman mused, adjusting her empty tote bags in anticipation. 'Let us in, let us in,' another guy quietly chanted, raising an invisible pitchfork in jest. We were all united by one sweeping affliction that suddenly had Ōtautahi in a chokehold: kimono madness. It began with a Facebook post made by the Christchurch City Mission in the middle of an idle Tuesday afternoon. 'Life is full of surprises and topping our list this week is … thousands of kimonos,' the post reads. 'A generous donation of three packed truckloads of kimonos are coming to our Barbadoes Street op shop. Thousands! They are going out the door fast at $2 a pop, so this is your big chance if you have ever fancied owning/wearing one. Arigato!' Soon enough, the post had hundreds of comments and shares, with IRL queues forming out the door of both the Barbadoes Street and Sydenham City Mission stores. 'It's a kimono frenzy,' City Mission retail team leader Josie Cox told RNZ. 'We're selling them for $2 each and they've just gone mad. This morning there were probably 40 people waiting to come in.' The stock arrived by way of three trucks and two vans, and staff couldn't restock the bins fast enough. Any seasoned op shopper is always chasing the dream of stumbling across a rare or weird find, be it a war relic, a treasured timepiece, or even a purse containing a family mystery. But this opshop drop was on another scale of novelty and luxury entirely – 10,000 unique pieces, all in perfect condition, from a mysterious private donor. Where did they all come from? Why so, so, so many? Why central Christchurch? Why now? And, once again, why so, so, so many? I contacted a local kimono historian – who wished to stay anonymous but described themself as 'a detective analysing each and every kimono' – to see what they reckoned. 'A very unusual story,' they wrote, positing the collection may have recently come into the ownership of someone seeking 'a quick resolution.' As for the value, they estimated the total collection would have cost between $10,000-$30,000 to buy in Japan, and at least $5000 to import. Beyond the monetary value, they also explained the historical and cultural significance. 'Kimono were refined over the past 1000 years to the garment we see today,' they said, explaining how the garment is now mostly used as formal wear for the wealthy on special cultural occasions in Japan. 'No fashion designer has ever been able to improve it. The design is perfect,' they wrote, adding that each one is also completely unique: 'your kimono has no copies.' Karen Healey was one of the Cantabrians lucky enough to nab a couple of the peerless $2 pieces for herself from the Barbadoes Street op shop, after hearing about the donation from a fellow customer at The Fabric Store. 'The second you walked in, there were all these people clustered around these two big bins right at the front – anyone opening the door was hit with kimono,' she described. 'It was a brief little miracle… a dusty, noisy, magical experience.' While Healey says everyone was being 'very kind and considerate' when she visited, Anissa Trinder, aka vintage seller Spice Kotiro, told a different story. Trinder was there 'on a whim' as the multiple trucks arrived, and says that people 'immediately just started going crazy' for the kimonos. She picked up a kimono that she liked the look of, and another woman snatched it right out of her hands. 'I just thought, 'man, fuck this. I do not need a kimono that bad'.' Being a reseller herself, I asked Trinder about the $2 price point and the fact that several are already being resold on Facebook Marketplace for much more. 'The City Mission obviously just wanted to move them through, and they sold them all within the week, which is really beneficial for them,' she said. 'I think it's crazy that lots of them are on Marketplace, especially because it was such a public Christchurch phenomenon and everyone was talking about them.' Healey purchased three kimonos, one yukata and a haori. 'The fabric and the patterning is really what I'm after, so they will be reborn as garments that will be loved and treasured in a slightly different form,' she said. 'And it will make a good story – this shirt came from one of the kimono.' After snatch-gate, Trinder didn't buy anything. 'I am very specific with my style and the things that I sell,' she said. 'I'm also wary of cultural appropriation and all that stuff.' That's another interesting consideration to mull over – is it a risk to have this many kimonos unleashed in a place which still boasts an alarming number of white dreadlocks? While my mystery kimono historian maintained that anyone from 'DJs to traditional Japanese housewives' can now wear a kimono, opinions differ on the mainstream popularisation of the garment. (I also reached out to the Japanese Society of Canterbury for comment, but am yet to hear back). For those who were lucky enough to nab one (or, as Healey observed in one customer, one hundred) of these pieces, there's also delicate care concerns. The kimono expert recommended they are stored flat, ideally in kimono-friendly paper, in a drawer with silica gel and mothballs. As for washing? Go for a hand wash in cold water. 'Must be immersed in a bath to avoid bubbles,' they added. 'Wet area will transfer dye to any dry area, so bubbles are the enemy.' All of the above info would have been useful if, when the doors of the op shop swung open like a saloon on Saturday morning, there had been any of the elusive kimonos left. Alas, we were all about 48 hours too late. I poked about the rest of the store, nabbing a pristine $1 rubber chicken, as multiple bereft women with sharp grey bobs and statement glasses processed the news. 'The kimonos have all sold out, I'm so sorry,' the shopkeeper said gently. 'Now they are just a distant memory.'
Scoop
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Council Welcomes Certainty On Its Role In Protecting The Rakaia
On August 1, the Environment Court released its decision on an application for declarations regarding our role in enforcing the RWCO. This was filed by the Environmental Defence Society and North Canterbury Fish & Game. The Court agreed with the Environment Canterbury position that the RWCO restricts our regional plan and consenting function, and that by issuing and monitoring consents in accordance with our Land and Water Regional Plan, we are upholding the RWCO. The Court disagreed with the claim that our duty could lead to an obligation to monitor and/or enforce compliance with the restrictions and prohibitions within the RWCO itself. Chief Executive Dr Stefanie Rixecker acknowledged that last week's Court decision gives Council some reassurance in its role. "Braided rivers like the Rakaia are a unique feature of the Waitaha landscape, and we take our responsibility to uphold their mana seriously. We also recognise that they provide irrigation water to hundreds of farms in the region – contributing to businesses and livelihoods for thousands of Cantabrians," Dr Rixecker said. "We welcome this clarity from the Court. We will continue to ensure water use in the Rakaia upholds the RWCO by issuing and consents that are consistent with the Order and monitoring compliance with those consents. "Alongside fulfilling our regulatory role, we continue to work with communities and our partners and maintain our Rakaia water balance model to build understanding and to protect cultural and ecological values in the catchment." Environment Canterbury recognises the Court decision could be subject to an appeal in future.
Otago Daily Times
28-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
New play areas at Lancaster Park
The redevelopment of the park has been going since 2021. Photo: CCC Four new play areas, inspired by Christchurch's sporting history, are being planned for Lancaster Park. The redevelopment of the park has been going since 2021, with the heritage gates restored and rededicated, new sports grounds and recreational spaces complete, and over 11,000 native trees and shrubs put in the ground. Construction of the community centre and changing rooms are under way, and now it's time to start planning the park's play spaces. Christchurch City Council head of parks Rupert Bool says the play space concept designs aim to remember the rich and beloved history of the park. Image: CCC 'Lancaster Park is home to decades of sporting and major event memories for generations of Cantabrians,' Bool says. 'It's an important place for the people of Christchurch, so we've incorporated some of the park's historical highlights into our plan.' The play zone designs include historically inspired seating, an interactive story and play wall, an athletics track with historical markers, sport themed play equipment, and a 'mix and match' rotating hero column. The play spaces are planned in four zones around the sports fields: Main play space (north-east) – A wide range of play equipment designed for children of all ages Multi-use play pathway (east) – A footpath featuring a small scooter and skate track Youth zone (south) – a multi-use court with hang-out space and seating, ideal for older kids and teens Nature play area (south-west) – Natural play elements like repurposed logs and stumps, native planting, and a weaving pathway
The Spinoff
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Spinoff
Ghost bus: why is Motu Move taking so long to arrive in Canterbury?
The new public transport payments were supposed to be operating in Canterbury already. What's happened? Last year, people in Canterbury were expecting a subtle, but useful, change to how they use public transport: the advent of the Motu Move system, which would allow Cantabrians to tag on to the bus with their debit card. Going region by region, the plan was for Motu Move to replace existing ticketing and public transport cards, concluding in Otago at the end of 2026. With one system in the whole country, the same card could be used for taking the train in Auckland, the ferry in Wellington and the bus in Christchurch. Though only one card would be required (and contactless debit cards could be used to tag on too) the pricing of public transport would still go to each individual council. But although Motu Move was supposed to be operating in Canterbury by mid-2025, with an earlier rollout in Timaru and Temuka, Cantabrians are still scanning their Metro cards. The only sign of it, so far, is Christchurch's route 29 bus – supposed to be an initial pilot before the broader system was implemented. Running since December, a NZTA spokesperson said that 27,000 trips on the 29 route have been paid for with debit and credit cards – 35% of adult fares on that route. 'The pilot has proven that the base contactless payments components of the system work and that more customers than expected have been keen to adopt the new payment options,' NZTA said. However, the broader system is well behind schedule. A re-confirmed plan for delivery in Canterbury, then the rest of the regions, is expected in August, NZTA said. The National Ticketing System governance board is also conducting a review to identify problems with implementation; a report will be delivered at the end of July. Deon Swiggs, the Environment Canterbury deputy chair and holder of the transport portfolio, says that the delay has been 'frustrating'. 'NZTA have to communicate with us,' he said, noting the communication has improved in recent weeks. 'We need to know what's happening so we can communicate it to our residents.' The initial plan was to roll out Motu Move in Timaru and Temuka early this year. Timaru has on-demand shuttle buses, and there's a bus route from the South Canterbury centre to Temuka. Both towns have on-demand transport services. 'It's a smaller and more confined system [than Greater Christchurch] – a good test to iron out the kinks,' Swiggs said. One reason that Canterbury had been selected as the first area to deploy the Motu Move upgrade was that its current ticketing system with a Metro transport card is up for renewal. 'We were operating on the assumption that Motu Move would take over Metro in Christchurch,' Swiggs said. Until the council receives an updated timeline, it's not clear how much it should invest to keep Metro running in the meantime. The benefits of the Motu Move system are clear. Elliot Weir, an Otago Regional councillor, uses their Bee Card frequently. Outside of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, the Bee cards are operated by all other regional councils with public transport services, meaning Weir was able to tag onto the bus as normal when they visited Hamilton recently. This could make it even easier for visitors to a region to use public transport, rather than needing to borrow a car or use rideshare services. 'Queenstown has a bus that goes to the airport – it's always packed,' Weir pointed out. The Motu Move system will also mean users can tag on with digital credit cards, and top their card up on their phone. 'I've been known to forget my wallet – it's super handy if you can still tag on with your phone or watch,' Weir said. Swiggs has appreciated using his Google Wallet to take the 29 bus. As Motu Move rolls out, most councils will stop accepting cash fares. 'It's more efficient to tag on than for drivers to manually count cash,' Swiggs said. 'If it costs an extra five or 10 seconds at every stop, and there are 50 stops on a route, that adds up to nearly 10 minutes – we know that reliability is the first thing users want from a public transport system.' Environment Canterbury plans to work with the City Mission and Housing First Christchurch to get their clients up to speed on the digital system; low income people are often those who depend on cash. When implemented, the ticketing system will also gather better data about which routes are being used – ideally helping transport planners to ensure their services respond to where people want to go. Motu Move does represent a major technical challenge. But other countries have conquered the 'pay with your debit card' challenge years ago: Singapore, Sydney and the Netherlands all have this option available. 'It's really simple to just have one card,' Swiggs says. 'It's been en route for a long time.' Debit card tag-on is already available in Auckland (which will eventually also be integrated into Motu Move), and on Wellington's airport bus. But Cantabrians will have to wait months even just to find out when Motu Move might arrive for them.
