Latest news with #Waimakariri
Otago Daily Times
13-08-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
School pupils turn their life stories into art
Teachers Connor Payton (left) and Andrew Osborn used a scissor lift to mount a 2m square panel made up of 500 straps containing the life stories of Waimakariri pupils. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Being able to express yourself by highlighting your life, culture, and passions was a fun and interesting exercise for more than 500 year 7 and 8 pupils from Canterbury primary schools. Ella Knipe, 12, was one of the 500 children who contributed their life story to a 2m by 2m installation called Whiria Tahi/Unite Together, now mounted on the wall at Te Rau Hao/the Kaiapoi Technology Centre. ''It was cool to be able to express who we are ourselves, what we like doing, our interests and the sports we play,'' said Ella, a year 8 pupil from Kaiapoi Borough School. Said centre leader Daniel Gorman: ''Each of the school pupils from the Waimakariri district attending the centre for technology classes was asked to draw symbols on a strap of linen that signified who they were, where they came from and their culture. ''They could use any designs to describe who they were.'' Brax Twiss, 12, also of Kaiapoi Borough School, says the process was very enjoyable. ''Being able to express ourselves and to see how others had made their straps helped us a lot. My one had Nike's logo to show I liked running, a basketball because I like playing basketball and musical symbols to show how much I enjoy playing music,'' he says. Gorman says once all the straps were completed, several teachers came back after school to help weave the straps into 25 panels. These were then linked up to form one giant panel. ''We hung it on our wall to share it with everyone visiting us.'' He says they were surprised at how big the panel became. ''Initially, we were going to hang it as a diamond, but once we pieced it all together, we realised how big it had become. It had to be lifted into place using a scissors lift, and we ended up mounting it as a square.'' The installation joined several others which pupils attending the centre have created using new and old technologies.
RNZ News
05-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Waimakariri's new councillors may get 22% pay bump
Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson and Mayor Dan Gordon. Photo: Waimakariri District Council. Photo: LDR / SUPPLIED Waimakariri's mayor and councillors are set for pay rises of up to 22 percent after October's election. Councillor pay rates will jump from $58,110 to $71,026. Speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday, outgoing Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson said councillors were "well worth" the increased pay rate. The mayor's salary is set to rise 4 percent, from $158,057 to $164,728, while the deputy mayor's salary is proposed to jump 22 percent, from $74,674 to $91,271. The pay jumps are due to an increased remuneration pool. Atkinson said voting on pay rises is "silly" when it is already set by the Remuneration Authority. "It is imposed on you and it has always seemed silly to me that we have to vote on this, when it is already imposed on us. "If you want to give it to charity you can, but if you want to take it, then good on you - you are well worth it." Atkinson said there was plenty of commentary on social media about what bonuses councillors allegedly claimed. "It talks about the bonuses which we actually don't get. We don't get flying allowances - we don't want them, and we don't get lunch allowances - we don't want them. "We want to look after ratepayers' money. "But this extra money will allow people to make a conscious decision of whether they want a full-time job alongside being a councillor or not." Retiring councillor Al Blackie said while councillors did not do it for the money, they did have a big workload. ''A little bit more money in the pot can only be a good thing in encouraging young people and particularly young women to stand.'' Councillor Tim Fulton said his only concern was the ''gaps'' in the childcare allowance, which will increase from $6000 a year to $7500 a year per child. He said it did not take into account the sacrifices a spouse of an elected member might have to make when arranging childcare. Waimakariri District Council governance manager Sarah Nichols said the childcare allowance could not be used to pay a partner or grandparents. ''It is generally used for an independent person or for childcare facilities. ''We have had a handful of members who have claimed it in the time we've had it, and it has never been for anywhere near the total amount allowed.'' The Hurunui District Council last week voted against offering a childcare allowance, despite the support or four councillors. There was no opposition expressed by the 10 councillors or Mayor Dan Gordon to the remuneration package presented, which also includes payrises for community board members. The Remuneration Authority recently completed a review how it determines local government remuneration and well recommended no changes. It considers population, economic growth and the geographic area of the district when setting the remuneration pool for the deputy mayor councillors' salaries. Pay rates across the country vary from about $20,000 at the lower end, to more than $300,000 for Auckland mayor. The payrises for the deputy mayor and remaining nine councillors will be finalised after the local government elections on October 11. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
As the sea level rises, who will pay? Councils seek answers
Flooding in the Waimakariri district following the 29 April to 2 May rain event. Photo: Supplied / Waimakariri District Council North Canterbury's councils want to know who pays for preparing for climate change as major storms and flooding threatens local communities. Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has warned a lack of clarity over who pays for measures to protect communities from sea level rise, flooding and weather events could leave ratepayers with a hefty bill. The concern follows the release of a report from the Ministry for the Environment's Independent Reference Group on Climate Adaptation, which raises the question of who should pay. Environment Canterbury is planning to review the Kaikōura flood protection scheme on the Kowhai River. Photo: Supplied / Environment Canterbury Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward said his council is beginning work on a climate adaptation strategy as it looks to prepare for the threat of sea level rise and the growing number of severe weather events. For earthquakes and flooding events, the council has insurance through the local authority protection plan, which covers 40 percent and the balance coming from Government or loan funding. But preparing for sea level rise and flood mitigation measures costs money, Mr Millward said. As the risks become more severe, there may be changes to what insurance is available, or even ''no insurance at all''. ''Does it fall back on the ratepayer or the taxpayer? It is a bit more complicated and a lot more discussion has to happen.'' Councils already have clauses in District Plans identifying natural hazards and impose regulations such as minimum distances from the waterline and raising floor levels to 1.5 metres off the ground. ''People like living near the beaches or rivers, but it puts those properties at risk, so there is going to be a lot of modelling work done to identify the risks and develop and array of tools,'' Millward said. Environment Canterbury has working of flood protection across the region, works on the Waimakariri and Kaiapoi Rivers to protect Christchurch and Kaiapoi. Photo: Supplied / Environment Canterbury Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said the region's councils are working on adaptation plans, following the launch of the Canterbury Climate Partnership Plan by the Canterbury Mayoral Forum in December. ''One thing is for sure - there is going to be a bill. I think we do need clarity and it is a conversation we need to have. ''I think the steps Canterbury has taken as a region to put that action plan in place has put us in a good position. ''It's a much bigger issue than any one particular district and the more joint action we can be doing the better.'' Kaikōura's pristine coastline faces threats from the sea, despite a coastal uplift following the 7.8 magnitude in 2016. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News The recent report warned it may not be sustainable for government buy-outs to continue for properties in at risk areas, with weather events such as those facing the Nelson region expected to become yearly events in some areas. It recommends phasing out those buy-outs over a 20 year period. Adaptation measures, such as flood schemes, sea walls and infrastructure, should be funded by those who benefit, the report advised. On Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told RNZ the government will not be able to keep bailing out homeowners after major floods . The Hurunui District Council has completed climate adaptation plans in partnership with its beach communities. It has led to the council buying a $3.8m block of land south of Amberley to prepare for future events. Residents from at-risk communities will be able to secure sections by paying a targeted rate over the next 30 years. The plot of land would be attached to their existing property, so the two properties cannot be sold separately. When the time comes, residents could transport their house to the new section, or build onsite. A new bund is providing some protection to Amberley Beach residents for now. Photo: David Hill / North Canterbury News Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie the issue is complex and councils need some guidance from government. ''Some guidance suggests we should be involved at all. We should only be involved in roads and pipes. ''There needs to be a good sensible conversation about this.'' LGNZ vice president Campbell Barry said the ministry's report has failed to address some concerns previously raised by local government. ''It's good to see the report's sense of urgency. Our submission on climate adaptation in June last year stressed that action is needed now. ''We need to have better policies and frameworks in place to cater for increasingly severe and frequent weather events. ''Local government can't afford to have another Cyclone Gabrielle. The aftermath of a significant weather event like that comes with massive financial, infrastructure and human costs for communities.'' Barry said the lack of clarity meant the burden of paying for adaptation was likely to fall on ratepayers. Luxon said Climate Change Minister Simon Watts had been working to get a bipartisan view on how to deal long term with major weather events. - LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
17-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Waimakariri MP launches suicide prevention plan
The Government has launched a "targeted plan" to prevent suicide, outlining a five-year whole-of-government approach. Waimakariri MP and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced the latest Suicide Prevention Action Plan at Te Rau Ora, a Māori-focused mental health and addiction organisation, on Tuesday. Doocey said New Zealand continued to face "stubbornly high" suicide rates, with 617 people dying last year by suspected suicide, and the Government had a "duty" to do more to ensure everyone could access support and go on to live the life they deserved. "What sets this plan apart from the last is the actions in the plan are now focused on delivery with clear milestones, completion dates and, importantly, an accountable agency." The plan included 21 health-led new actions and 13 cross-agency new actions. "The action's overall aim is to improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports, grow a workforce that is able to support those at risk of - or affected by - suicide, and strengthen our focus on prevention and early intervention," Doocey said. The plan specified four new health and cross-government actions: - Improve access to suicide prevention and postvention supports - Grow a capable and confident suicide prevention and postvention workforce - Strengthen the focus on prevention and early intervention - Improve the effectiveness of suicide prevention and our understanding of suicide The first action included establishing a suicide prevention community fund by the end of this year that focused on populations experiencing "higher rates of suicidal distress", like maternal, youth and rural communities, to go alongside funds already available for Māori and Pacific peoples affected. By the end of October, it would also look to establish peer support roles in eight emergency departments for people presenting to hospital with mental health and addiction needs. Before that, six regionally led and community-designed crisis recovery cafés or hubs would be set up, so people didn't always have to resort to an emergency department and could receive care in the community. Growing the workforce included expanded suicide prevention training and guidance to better equip those workforces, as well as families to support people who may experience suicidal distress. Action 4 included establishing a cross-agency working group by the end of September that would monitor progress against suicide prevention actions. Doocey said he was particularly proud of this plan, because it was grounded in lived experience, after 400 people and organisations contributed to the consultation process, including those who had experienced suicidal distress themselves or lost someone to suicide. "Their insights shaped these actions and helped ensure we are targeting the right areas." As part of the announcement, Doocey acknowledged those who had lost their lives to suicide, and those who were struggling with mental health or addiction. Implementation of the plan will be supported by existing funding of $20 million a year, plus an additional $16 million a year to improve access to mental health and suicide prevention supports through initiatives identified in the plan.
RNZ News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
The House: Morning Tea with Matt Doocey
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey hosts a meeting with senior citizens in Rangiora. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins Like most electorate MPs, National MP for Waimakariri Matt Doocey spends a lot of his weekends back home in his electorate. Saturdays are generally spent in the community and chatting to constituents. Last Saturday, The House attended one of Doocey's Q&A sessions with over-60s. They're something he likes to hold regularly in the electorate's population centres of Kaiapoi, Oxford, and Rangiora. This one was at the Rangiora RSA. The issues discussed at these sessions are many and varied. Last Saturday there were both big-picture concerns about a perceived "brain drain" and international trade, as well as local queries about roading and healthcare infrastructure. "People do want to ask you a specific question about potentially a road in their neighbourhood, or maybe there might be an issue with accessing a local public service," Doocey says. "And then for some people they do think a bit more nationally and they want to have a talk about the economy or what's happening internationally in the current geopolitical environment." His electorate, historically made up of dormitory towns, has seen significant growth since the Canterbury earthquakes. Doocey, who has been the local MP since 2014, has observed the challenges that a growing population presents. "When you have that significant growth, you have what I call 'growing pains of growth'. "Quite rightly, I've got to get in and make sure I bat for this area so it gets the investment it needs into vital infrastructure like the Woodend bypass, a new road of national significance." Doocey and his family live in the Waimakariri electorate, which he says has accepted him over the years as just another member of the community. This Parliamentary term, he has the added responsibility of being a Cabinet Minister. He must balance ministerial duties in Wellington and elsewhere, with addressing the concerns of his constituents in Canterbury. Given he's out-of-town frequently, Doocey's Electorate and Community Office (ECO) staff in Kaiapoi and Rangiora act as first responders for constituents asking for help with things like ACC or Work and Income. "They are really your front line," he says. "Through our office, we can go up to a higher level in a government department, escalate their issue in quite a timely fashion, and get them connected to the person they need to talk to as well. "So in that way, constituents don't need to wait two weeks to see their local MP." Doocey says the regular sessions with the community on the weekends have been a good forum to address some of those more generalised concerns. "I'm here for the weekend, and people do like the idea of coming to a meeting when it's not as pressured [as it would be] during a nine to five, Monday to Friday, and we can spend a bit more time unpacking the issues of the day." Rangiora resident Chris Knight, who came along to Doocey's Q&A, is a regular viewer of Parliament's Question Time. For him, events like these offer a welcome opportunity. Matt Doocey at the meeting last Saturday. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins "You don't often get an opportunity to meet or talk to an acting MP," he says. "To come to something like this and actually meet your local MP is good." Knight describes himself as a social democrat and a lifelong Labour voter both in New Zealand and the UK where he emigrated from, but he acknowledges Doocey's efforts as an electorate MP. "I think Matt does a pretty good job around here. I read some of the stuff that he has in the papers, and he's always around and available, which is good. Whether or not I'll vote for him next time, remains to be seen." ECO offices sport the colours of whichever party the MP is a member of, which may give rise to the misconception that electorate MPs' offices aren't approachable if you don't support their party. "I make it very clear," Doocey says. "I work for everyone in Waimakariri, no matter how they vote. "I'm here to serve all in the Waimakariri irrespective of how they vote. "But I do acknowledge that sometimes people come in and there might be a perceived barrier there about whether they voted for me or not, or whether they voted for my party. "But as a local MP, I'm here to work for everyone. I think over time people have got to understand that, and actually when you're working as a local MP it's not a party affiliation, in fact it's a Waimakariri affiliation, because you just want to help everyone in your community." To listen to the audio version of this story, click the link near the top of the page. * RNZ's The House, with insights into Parliament, legislation and issues, is made with funding from Parliament's Office of the Clerk. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
