Latest news with #Kaikōura
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Job Funding Cuts Hit Isolated Communities
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter The Kaikura and Hurunui Mayors' Taskforce for Job programmes are set to face funding cuts, as the Government moves its focus to getting people off the benefit. Isolated North Canterbury communities look set to be the big losers in the Government's bid to get young people off the benefit. The Kaikōura and Hurunui Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programmes are likely to face cuts due to a change in funding criteria. While the new contract has yet to be signed, the Kaikōura MTFJ programme has been advised its funding will be cut from $260,000 for 30 placements to $100,000 for 12 placements from July 1. ''They have seen it work, but they kept twisting the scrum. Once they brought the larger areas in it was inevitable this would happen,'' Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said. ''The whole idea of the programme was to help the rural areas. ''I haven't given up hope, but I've definitely lost the excitement.'' He said the success of the programme is stopping young people from going on a benefit. The programme has supported young people with driver licensing, career advice and guidance, interview skills, preparing CVs, work experience and transport, and access to mental health services. With no driver testing available in Kaikōura, the MTFJ programme has spent $22,000 this year supporting young people travel to tests in Blenheim and Rangiora – a three to four hour return trip. The programme is on track to exceed 30 sustainable placements. In contrast to its northern neighbours, the Waimakariri MTFJ programme is set to receive a funding boost. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is basing its funding for the next 12 months, from July 1, on the number of 18 to 24 year olds on a jobseekers' benefit. Previously the programme has focused on supporting school leavers transition into work. The change is in line with the Government's push to get young people off the benefit. The funding cuts come at a time of high youth unemployment, with the latest Stats NZ data showing around 23 percent of 16 to 24 year olds are not in employment, education or training, compared to the overall 5.1% unemployment rate. MSD industry partnerships director Amanda Nicolle said MTFJ is one of a number of MSD funded programmes aimed at getting youth into employment, education or training in smaller regions. ''We provide a range of assistance aimed at getting young people into work because we understand that having sustainable employment can improve people's lives and give them independence.'' The Hurunui District Council was one of the councils which founded the MTFJ programme in 2000. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the programme's original intent was to support rural communities, where young people have less access to services and training and education opportunities. ''Hurunui MTFJ will continue to support our young people through this programme despite the reduction of contractual capacity for the incoming year. ''The programme is effective in supporting young people, with tailored and inspired support to bridge the gap and avoid a reliance on benefit support.'' The Hurunui MTFJ programme has already exceeded its target of 20 placements, placing 53 young people in jobs. There is no MSD office in the Hurunui district, while the MTFJ programme has worked to bring driver testing into the district to help overcome the isolation. Local Democracy Reporting understands Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon plans to discuss the matter with his colleagues at the Canterbury Mayoral Forum on Friday. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Job Funding Cuts Hit Isolated Communities
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter The Kaikura and Hurunui Mayors' Taskforce for Job programmes are set to face funding cuts, as the Government moves its focus to getting people off the benefit. Isolated North Canterbury communities look set to be the big losers in the Government's bid to get young people off the benefit. The Kaikōura and Hurunui Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programmes are likely to face cuts due to a change in funding criteria. While the new contract has yet to be signed, the Kaikōura MTFJ programme has been advised its funding will be cut from $260,000 for 30 placements to $100,000 for 12 placements from July 1. ''They have seen it work, but they kept twisting the scrum. Once they brought the larger areas in it was inevitable this would happen,'' Kaikōura Mayor Craig Mackle said. ''The whole idea of the programme was to help the rural areas. ''I haven't given up hope, but I've definitely lost the excitement.'' He said the success of the programme is stopping young people from going on a benefit. The programme has supported young people with driver licensing, career advice and guidance, interview skills, preparing CVs, work experience and transport, and access to mental health services. With no driver testing available in Kaikōura, the MTFJ programme has spent $22,000 this year supporting young people travel to tests in Blenheim and Rangiora – a three to four hour return trip. The programme is on track to exceed 30 sustainable placements. In contrast to its northern neighbours, the Waimakariri MTFJ programme is set to receive a funding boost. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is basing its funding for the next 12 months, from July 1, on the number of 18 to 24 year olds on a jobseekers' benefit. Previously the programme has focused on supporting school leavers transition into work. The change is in line with the Government's push to get young people off the benefit. The funding cuts come at a time of high youth unemployment, with the latest Stats NZ data showing around 23 percent of 16 to 24 year olds are not in employment, education or training, compared to the overall 5.1% unemployment rate. MSD industry partnerships director Amanda Nicolle said MTFJ is one of a number of MSD funded programmes aimed at getting youth into employment, education or training in smaller regions. ''We provide a range of assistance aimed at getting young people into work because we understand that having sustainable employment can improve people's lives and give them independence.'' The Hurunui District Council was one of the councils which founded the MTFJ programme in 2000. Hurunui Mayor Marie Black said the programme's original intent was to support rural communities, where young people have less access to services and training and education opportunities. ''Hurunui MTFJ will continue to support our young people through this programme despite the reduction of contractual capacity for the incoming year. ''The programme is effective in supporting young people, with tailored and inspired support to bridge the gap and avoid a reliance on benefit support.'' The Hurunui MTFJ programme has already exceeded its target of 20 placements, placing 53 young people in jobs. There is no MSD office in the Hurunui district, while the MTFJ programme has worked to bring driver testing into the district to help overcome the isolation. Local Democracy Reporting understands Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon plans to discuss the matter with his colleagues at the Canterbury Mayoral Forum on Friday. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
The rules when running for local government
Nominations close at 12pm on Friday, 1 August, and late nominations are not being accepted. Photo: NZ ELECTORAL COMMISSION If you're considering having a crack at local government elections, you'll need to put down the shades, cat and baby for your candidate photo. Potential candidates are being reminded of a few pitfalls ahead of nominations opening for local government elections on 4 July. Speaking to a Kaikōura District Council workshop this week, electoral officer Warwick Lampp said candidates needed to submit a passport sized photo with their 150 word profile. The photo needs to be of your head and shoulders, with no sunglasses, no hat and not accompanied by whānau, pets, friends or kissing a baby. Candidates must be a New Zealand citizen. You do not need to reside in the district(s) you choose to stand in - but your two nominees do. If you or your partner hold a contract of more than $25,000 for your local council you cannot stand, unless you have prior approval from the Auditor-General. Nominations close at 12pm on Friday, August 1, and Lampp said no late nominations were accepted. ''Remember, if you are sending it by email, it is not the time you send it, but the time it lands in the council's email system. ''It has to be in the hands of the electoral officer by 12 noon, so if you are emailing at 11.59am, it probably won't arrive in the returning officer's inbox until 12.01pm. ''If you are in the door it can be processed at 12 noon, provided there are no issues, because you won't have time to fix them.'' Once nominations close, you are on the ballot paper, Lampp said. ''It does happen that people have to withdraw because of ill-health or death or another reason.'' In 2019, Seven Sharp journalist Julian Lee got himself nominated for the Mackenzie district mayoralty while working on a story. He failed to withdraw his nomination in time and ended up running ''a don't vote for me'' campaign, Lampp said. ''It actually boosted the voter turnout as it meant there was a mayoral contest.'' Lampp said orange ballot boxes were set to become a common feature in this year's local government elections as councils look to make it easier for people to vote. ''Orange ballot boxes are the way to go these days because of the pressures on the postal service.'' Kaikōura District Council deputy electoral officer Becky Makin said orange bins would be located at strategic locations around the district. Voting papers are posted out from 9 September, with voting closing at midday on Saturday, 11 October. A telephone dictation service is available from the Electoral Commission to assist those who are unable to read the voting papers. Christchurch-based Ltd runs the elections for several councils around the country, including the Kaikōura district. There will be elections for mayor, seven councillors elected at large, and two Environment Canterbury councillors in the North Canterbury constituency. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
20-05-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Scientists discover humpback whales are giving birth in New Zealand waters
Until now, researchers believed humpback whales gave birth in warmer waters. Photo: Humpback whale calves are being born much further south than scientists thought. Until now, researchers believed the whales gave birth in warmer waters. But a new study from the University of New South Wales - no pun intended - shows humpback calves have been spotted as far south as Kaikōura, and near Port Arthur in Tasmania. That's 1500km further south than usual. University of Auckland marine ecology Professor Dr Rochelle Constantine told Morning Report the finding shows humpback whales, which were once on the verge of extinction, are making a recovery. "That means we start to see these extraordinary events... with some calves being born on their migration north, rather then on their typical breeding grounds," Dr Constantine said. From April, humpback whales begin their northern migration, travelling up the eastern and western sides of Australia. They then return south between August and November. They were generally thought to give birth no further south then the Gold Coast, on the east coast, and near Exmouth, on the west coast. However, the study found over 200 new-born calves were recorded further south. The reason behind this may be due to a combination of things, Dr Constantine said. She said with more whales you get more of these unusual events, and in photos she has seen of whales further south, the calves are smaller and may be born prematurely. She also noted climate change warming the water could also play a role. Dr Constantine said the study shows the importance of keeping whales safe during their migration so their numbers can continue to stay healthy. "We came very close to extinction of these whales in our waters." The researchers compiled records of humpback whale calves from several sources including government agencies, annual migration surveys and opportunistic citizen science observations, primarily from tourism vessels.
The Spinoff
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Spinoff
Windbag: Why Wellington's vibe shift is coming in 2026
Things are about to change in the capital, and it has nothing to do with the mayoral race. Windbag is The Spinoff's Wellington issues column, written by Wellington editor Joel MacManus. Subscribe to the Windbag newsletter to receive columns early. Wellington spends an inordinate amount of time naval-gazing about vibes or the perceived lack thereof. Vibes are ill-defined, intangible, immeasurable but ever-present, and any effort to change them is more art than science. If there is one moment that triggered the capital's vibecession, it would be the 2013 Seddon earthquake. Then, the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake, Covid-19, public sector layoffs and a general economic downturn. It's been a long, slow rolling maul of decline. When understanding the city's vibes, we shouldn't overthink it. Media and politicians can get too in-the-weeds, thinking too much about budgets and rates and consultations, but those things aren't what shape vibes. Vibes are just another way of describing word-of-mouth. When people have conversations about their city, either with their fellow residents or with tourists, what do they talk about? At a basic level, cities are experiential. They're a dense collection of stuff to do, places to go, things to see, and people to meet. Cities have good vibes when people are talking about this great new place they tried that you simply must check out (restaurants, gigs, new developments, tourist attractions, activities). They develop bad vibes when there is a dearth of exciting new stuff, and when the existing stuff is declining. That's what's happened in Wellington for the past decade. Many major buildings and activity centres have closed, and there have been few new developments to counterweight the loss. However, that's about to change. I'm predicting a significant vibe shift as early as next year (and no, it'll have nothing to do with the new mayor). Several major projects are due to be completed in 2026 (provided construction schedules don't change) that will give locals and visitors something to be excited about. Te Matapihi Central Library: due to open March 2026 Wellington's Central Library closed in March 2019 after an engineers' report raised concerns about earthquake safety. The council was not legally obliged to close the building, but then mayor Justin Lester said he felt 'morally obliged'. Following the closure, there was an extended fight over whether it was better to demolish the building and rebuild something new or to try to repair and upgrade the existing building. In the midst of the debate, Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga listed it as a category 1 heritage building despite it being less than 30 years old. 'Save our library' successfully pushed for the council to retrofit the building with base isolators and other earthquake safety features for $189 million. Whether it was the right choice or not, there's no point relitigating the decisions. The money is spent, and the rebuild is nearly complete. When the library reopens in March next year, it'll be a moment of celebration. Losing the 'living room of the city' was a huge vibe killer, and getting a new, better version back will give people something worth talking about. Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall: due to open in July 2026 Another long and complex collision of earthquake damage and heritage protections, the Town Hall closed in 2013 after the Seddon earthquake. Repairs were initially budgeted at $30 million but ballooned out as high as $330m due to a messy mixture of scope creep and sunk-cost fallacy. (It should be noted that part of the increased cost was to create custom spaces for the new National Music Centre.) However, like the library, what's done is done. The money has already been spent. The good news is that progress is ahead of schedule. The latest council update moved the expected opening forward by eight months to July 2026. The Town Hall is an important and impressive public building that can be a point of civic pride. Importantly, it will add another much-needed performance venue to the city, meaning Wellington can host events, providing more flow-on commerce for nearby businesses. Te Ngākau Civic Precinct: due to open in March 2026 The entire Civic Square plaza is currently closed for a makeover. The timing is ideal; the whole place is a dead zone due to the Central Library and Town Hall construction, and City Gallery has temporarily moved to the National Library. Civic Square will open in March 2026 alongside the library, with new paving and landscaping. It's a vital public space for gathering, hanging out or eating lunch, so having a new and refreshed area to experience will be something for people to talk about. Te Ara Tupua: due to open in April 2026 After flooding in 2013 and 2015, it became clear that Wellington needed a seawall to protect the railway line and highway between the city and the Hutt. The great bonus when you build a seawall is that you can put a shared cycling and walking path on top and add a great public amenity for minimal additional cost. However, NZTA Waka Kotahi got cheeky with the numbers and funded the entire $348.7 million project through its cycling budget, even though it was primarily intended to protect the road and rail. This left little money for other cycling projects nationwide. Despite the dodgy funding, the shared walking and cycling path will be truly remarkable. Named Te Ara Tupua and designed with mana whenua, the project will include five artificial gravel beaches providing access to the water for fishing and diving, and six new gathering spaces with planting, seating and bike stands. A rail overbridge is designed to honour Te Wharepouri, a significant rangatira who lived in the area. The western coast of Wellington Harbour offers stunning views, but until now, they've only been accessible out of the window of a moving vehicle. Te Ara Tupua opens that area to people. For commuters, especially on e-bikes, the safe and scenic route will be a vast improvement over the current option, a terrifying ride along the shoulder of a busy highway. For recreational bikers, it's even more exciting. Te Ara Tupua will link up the Great Harbour Way, meaning there will be a protected, paved, coastal cycleway from Miramar to Days Bay (and eventually from Pencarrow to Owhiro Bay, a distance of 70km). It will become a must-do activity and tourist attraction. East by West ferries are already planning for a surge in traffic from people crossing to Days Bay with their bikes and riding back to the city (or vice versa).
