Latest news with #RangioraBowlingClub
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Waimakariri Remains On Track For Rate Rise Under 5%
Supporting growth by investing in infrastructure is the focus of Waimakariri District Council's annual plan, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says. The council resumed its deliberations on its 2025/26 annual plan on Tuesday morning, May 27, with staff recommending to councillors to stick with the proposed average rate rise of 4.98 percent. Mr Gordon backed the call and said the draft annual plan was in line with central Government direction, focusing on delivering local infrastructure, core services and ''a responsible rates increase''. The council received 787 submissions, with the bulk being on the council's proposed waters services model, designed to meet the requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well legislation. ''Residents told us they were happy with the direction we've proposed, specifically supporting investing in our infrastructure as Waimakariri grows and demand for service increase.'' The council has proposed beefing up its own internal business unit to manage water services, despite calls from its northern neighbours, Hurunui and Kaikōura, to join a North Canterbury water services council controlled organisation. Around 97% of submissions supported going it alone on managing water services. ''This support has vindicated the strong stance and time we have spent advocating for better Three Waters Reform that respected local property rights and had assets remain in the hands of the communities that paid for them,'' Mr Gordon said. Staff recommended minor changes to the budget following submissions, including grants of $10,000 to the Rangiora Bowling Club, $3500 to the Waimakariri Public Arts Trust and $8500 to the Ohoka Domain Advisory Board. Changes to KiwiSaver, announced by the Government in last week's Budget, will also have a small impact on the council. The council's finance and business support general manager Nicole Robinson said the changes could be absorbed in the budget, without increasing rates. She said the council planned to spend $89.6m on capital projects over the next 12 months. The Waimakariri district was continuing to experience growth, with 743 consents for new houses issued in the 2024 calendar year, but the council continued to operate in an uncertain economic environment, she said. Inflation has improved, with Consumer Price Index inflation now estimated at 2.2% and the Local Government Cost Index inflation, which impacted on the council, now at 3.3%. Interest rates have also dropped, with the Reserve Bank's Official Cash Rate now 3.5%, down from 4.25% earlier in the year. The council's interest rate from the Local Government Funding Agency is now 3.48%. Deliberations were set to continue this afternoon, with a reserve day planned for tomorrow (Wednesday) if required. The council is due to meet again on June 17 to adopt the 2025/26 annual plan. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
The queens and kings of Canterbury cats
The stories behind how Canterbury cats become show queens or kings are often as colourful as their fur. Wicked, a four-month-old Birman Blue Point kitten, came via a legacy from the late Miriam Dobson of Rolleston. The little bundle of white and grey fluffiness attracted the eye of Grace Rowntree, 8, from Fernside as she looked through the wide variety of cats on show at the Longhair Cat Breeders' Association South Island annual show in Rangiora over the weekend. Dobson's friends say Wicked was special because she was so well known for breeding and showing dogs, not cats, and they were proud to show the kitten in her memory. Nearby, among the other cats of all shapes and sizes on show, was a black kitten named Ned. From rescue kitten to show cat, Ned's big day out required a lot of care and attention from his eight-year-old owner Travis Hahn. For both of them it was their first time in the limelight. Travis says Ned came into his life as a rescue kitten from Rangiora's Cat Care. ''He lovely, but he can be a bit of handful like today, but that's all the noises and smells around him,'' Travis said as he held Ned firmly for a photo. Ned's big moment came as part of a 49-strong contingent of cats from all over the country who fronted up to be inspected, probed and peered at by the judges and the over 800 owners, fanciers and enthusiasts who turned up for the one-day show. But despite Ned being a bit skittish at the cacophony of noises accompanying his first cat show, he still managed to pick up several runner-up awards as best short-haired domestic cat at the show. Show manager Coulton Finch says it was great to see so many people crowding into the hall to look at the breeds. ''We've passed last year's attendance numbers, and it has been such a good turn out on Mother's Day.'' Coulton says it was sad that cat shows are not as popular as they once used to be. ''Our twice-yearly shows are the only ones held in Canterbury now, when there used to be so many in the past.'' He says the club has been holding the annual Mothers' Day show since the mid 1970s. ''We always get a good crowd coming along because people have been out to brunch with mum and then call in to see the many wonderful cats we have on display, plus kittens and those at the cuddling corner.'' There were five judging bays to watch the invited judges showcasing how to spot a winner, a very popular cuddle corner, plus sales and a portrait area for cat fanciers in the Rangiora Bowling Club rooms. Mr Finch says the role of the club is to educate people about long haired cats, how to care for and show them. Longtime Rangiora breeder of Maine Coons Vicki Walls, says cats are a fun hobby and wonderful companions. She enjoys their company, raising kittens and passing them on to new owners. She says her best time is socialising her cats out in public every time she takes them for walks in Rangiora.
