Ashburton Guardian, Saturday, December 24, 2022

GOLFING FOR A CAUSE

Full story, P15

Miyabi back on the menu

Ashburton restaurant excited about reopening

An Ashburton restaurant owner is relieved he hasn’t had to close for good after finally hiring replacement chefs.

After being closed for three months due to a dramatic chef shortage, Miyabi Top in Town owner, Mohammed Khursheed Jahangir, said his Asian fusion restaurant was now preparing to reopen next Tuesday.

“I’m so excited to be bringing the restaurant back, we have a new team and are looking for a fresh start,” Jahangir said.

Jahangir has been able to hire two new chefs, one from Indonesia and the other from India.

“I have been able to hire almost a full set of chefs, with two here already and a third having his visa processed.”

Now that he has most of the chefs needed, hiring support staff was the next step to ensure he could offer returning and new customers the best experience possible.

“I still need some waiters and a duty manager for my bar, but I just wanted to get some customers through the door again.”

With the business reopening the relief for Jahangir was obvious because the forced closure had been extremely challenging, with no money coming in from the business.

“It was very tough, and I lost a lot of money because I was still paying for the rent, power and other expenses,” he said.

“There have been a lot of people telling me to close, but I knew I could do it (survive).”

In October, the restaurant was forced to close after its four speciality chefs from overseas all left within a few months of each other because of a one-off visa residency programme loophole.

The programme was designed to encourage skilled chefs to come to New Zealand by providing ease of entry and residency. But once chefs have gained New Zealand residency, which took a few months to be approved, they

could then go elsewhere in the country and overseas for further opportunities. That often left their initial Kiwi employers, especially in small regional towns like Ashburton, in the lurch and powerless to do anything about it.

The chef crisis was part of a rocky start for Miyabi Top in Town, which had been open only for a year before the closure and had already suffered with reduced business from Covid-19 lockdowns.

“It has been very tough since we have opened,’’ Jahangir said.

“I’m hoping this time we will be able to stay open for a long time.’’

And Jahangir had a special thanks for the Ashburton Guardian’s coverage of their struggles,

saying those articles were used as supporting evidence and documentation to Immigration New Zealand to help speed up the visa chef application process.

“I can’t thank the Ashburton Guardian enough and its thorough coverage of the issues I was facing.”

Getting the business to reopen has not just been about finding staff, but also having to rebuy much of the food.

“It has been like opening up for the first time again,” Jahangir said.

All Jahangir needed now was customers.

“I hope the local community can see that we are open and come back and support me once more.”

The Miyabi Top in Town Asian fusion restaurant is getting ready to feed the masses once again after a three-month closure. New Indonesian chef Roni Yusuf (left) is being shown around by owner Mohammed Khursheed Jahangir.

PHOTO DANIEL ALVEY

Daniel Alvey

“I’m so excited to be bringing the restaurant back, we have a new team and are looking for a fresh start,” Jahangir said.

“

Bike gift ‘really makes Christmas’

Mum’s faith in Ashburton restored after happy ending

An Ashburton single mum was reduced to tears after a stranger bought her son a bike to replace his stolen BMX birthday present.

Becky Griffin said the act of kindness, which saw a local woman buy a new bike for her eight-year-old boy after his was pinched just days after his birthday, had “completely touched my heart’’.

“I was so blown away,’’ Griffin said.

“It has truly restored my faith back in our town, (it showed) that we do band together. It’s amazing that this type of kindness is out there.’’

A desperate and upset Griffin had sought community help on Facebook to get the stolen bike back for her son Braxton Banfield.

That’s when another Ashburton woman, who the Guardian agreed to respect her request for anonymity, saw the Facebook message and said she would like to buy Braxton a new bike.

“I said that was so generous,’’ Griffin said.

“She was just so grateful that I accepted the offer because she was a parent, who had struggled to provide for her children. She understood. I hadn’t even finished paying the bike off.’’

Griffin said the generosity made her emotional just thinking about it.

“I had tried really hard to pay for the bike and, obviously, it is not about me, but she just brought back the sparkle in my son’s eye that I put there and had been taken away by someone else. It means so much, especially from a stranger.’’

Griffin said Braxton was shocked when the lady turned up outside their house to hand over a new bike that he knew nothing about. It wasn’t the same black colour of his stolen BMX birthday present, but he could still not believe it.

“He said, ‘oh my God, a bike’,’’ she said.

“He said, ‘thank you’. After that, he was gone for a ride. I apologised for him being not as grateful, but she said ‘he’s an eightyear-old boy, so let him ride’.”

Griffin said she cried and hugged the lady when the new bike was handed over.

“She said she did it for him (Braxton) and for me, too, as she knows the struggles of a single mum.’’

The stranger’s generosity had “overwhelmed’’ Griffin, who was as distraught as her son when his bike was stolen from the front yard area of their property.

“These little things are what really makes Christmas.’’

Overwhelmed by kindness: Ashburton’s Braxton Banfield, 8, gives the thumbs up about his surprise new bike. A generous stranger bought it after someone had stolen his BMX just days after his recent birthday.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Daryl Holden

Organisers prepare for record crowd

cord 170 people.

Co-ordinator for the last eight years, Ann Allott, said the lunch is an “opportunity to give back to Ashburton people, especially the elderly and those living by themselves at Christmas”.

As well as the meats, Lysaght will offer new potatoes, peas, carrots, corn with gravy and condiments.

Turkeys, hams and roast lamb are on the menu at the annual Ashburton Community Christmas Lunch at the Tinwald War Memorial Hall tomorrow.

The free Christmas lunch, in association with Presbyterian Support, is in its 15th year, and this year it will be served to a re-

“There’s always been a huge demand for the lunch but, this year, we’ve had more registrations than ever.”

All the food is donated by local businesses and individuals. The first course is served by caterer, Dan Lysaght, with volunteers preparing and serving the dessert.

The dessert includes steamed pudding, birds nest meringues, jelly, fruit salad and cream and ice cream.

Allott said the lunch “represents the true spirit of Christmas” and her satisfaction is seeing the number of people who attend and witnessing the smiles on their faces

Many come year after year, she said.

“This year we have seniors,

people living alone and several families.”

Allott has paid tribute to Ashburton people who’ve donated food and to major sponsors, Braided Rivers Community Trust, Craigs Investment Partners and RMF Silva.

An important part of the luncheon is the flying visit made by Santa, who’s already stopped off to help prepare the food and will hand out Christmas cake between courses.

Ann asks people if they’re feeling unwell on the day or are showing symptoms of Covid, to

let her know and a meal will be delivered to them.

“We’ve had 170 people register but, if people decide to come on the day, they won’t be turned away,” she said.

Allott started volunteering 12 years ago and took over as co-ordinator in 2014. “I want to help people at Christmas and I’ll continue to be involved as long as I’m healthy enough and capable of doing the job,” she said.

Lunch is provided from 12.302pm.

Ann can be contacted on 03308-0333.

Santa has already started ringing his bell to attract people to tomorrow’s Ashburton Community Christmas Lunch. Helping him prepare the feast are (from left) Paula Stokes, Ann Allott and Brenda Murphy.

PHOTO MALCOLM HOPWOOD

Malcolm Hopwood

Recession: Prepare for pain in 2023

SHORT SHARP & Reflection

Mayor Neil Brown reflected on a big 12 months at the council but said there is still more work to be done next year. A big focus will be funding for the second bridge and seeing the completion of the Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, Te Pātaka a kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, and another big development will be the relocation of the rail hub from West Street to Fairton.

Braam sworn in

Councillor Leen Braam was o cially sworn in at the Ashburton District Council meeting on Wednesday. Braam had been out of the country when the new council was sworn in after the local body elections in October. Prior to Braam being sworn in, the council held a minute’s silence for Rodger Letham, who passed away last weekend.

Ashburton District Council has been warned to figure in the fallout from a recession into its planning for next year.

That’s what Bancorp merchant bank’s corporate services manager Miles O’Connor told the council, saying a recession was coming in 2023.

He stressed that the council, preparing to start work on its annual plan in January, would need to heed that advice.

“With the Reserve Bank Governor saying we are going into a recession, and with the yield curve (interest rates) suggesting we are going to, if you’re a betting man or woman then you would put money on the fact we are going into a recession,” O’Connor said.

In simple terms, a recession is

when there’s a general decline in economic activity and a widespread drop in spending, lasting for two three months. It can be triggered by various events, such as a financial crisis, high interest rates, rising unemployment, falling consumer confidence and economic shocks caused by unpredictable events like natural disasters, a war or a pandemic.

spending and see if we can push the country into recession to get inflation under control,” O’Connor said.

Inflation is the highest it’s been in around 30 years at 7.2 per cent.

“The expectation there will be that inflation is under control and we’ll be in a recession, and so we’ll have to start easing rates,’’ O’Connor said.

borrow short-term from the Reserve Bank. When the OCR goes up, it increases what they need to charge customers to remain profitable. When it falls, banks can offer cheaper loans.

Last month, Orr announced the official cash rate’s (OCR) biggest ever rise, a 75 base point hike.

“I think there is enough shock gone through the system now. It will hurt,” Brown said.

Councillor Russell Ellis highlighted that with work on the annual plan beginning next month, councillors would need to take into account the rising cost of living and threat of recession when considering its budgets and setting rates.

Alfresco dining

Long recessions could lead to a tough time for businesses, job loses, and rising unemployment, which is why Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr attempted to force a spending change last month.

“It’s quite unusual for a Reserve Bank Governor to say let’s stop

“The Reserve Bank has come out and said that inflation is a bigger evil than a recession.

“I’m not sure about that.”

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said there would definitely be a recession if the official cash rate (OCR) lifted again. The OCR was the rate at which banks could

Mortgage refinancing to escalate hurt

Half of all New Zealand mortgages would have to be refinanced next year – and that would hurt thousands of Kiwis.

That’s the worrying view, all based on data, from Bancorp merchant bank’s corporate servic-

es manager Miles O’Connor.

“This is going to hurt next year,’’ he said.

There is $350 billion in residential first mortgages in New Zealand and banks have reported half of the mortgages were still in the

2-3 per cent range. But they were going to be refinanced in the next six months at around 7-8 per cent.

“This is really going to hurt the economy.”

With rising living costs, O’Connor said there were troubling eco-

nomic signs “before the mortgage rate increases have really bitten”.

“We are starting to feel it already but this is going to get worse next year.

“I do believe households are going to be stressed.”

A new Use of Footpaths for Alfresco Dining Policy has been adopted by the Ashburton District Council. The council deliberated on the submissions received and made a swathe of changes to the draft before it was adopted. The policy sets out the rules for a business using the footpath area in front of their premises to allow patrons to dine, with or without alcohol.

ECan finances

Environment Canterbury adopted its 2021/22 annual report confirming an after tax deficit of $2.6 million at an extraordinary meeting on Monday. That was compared to a budgeted deficit in the 2021/31 long-term plan of $0.7m and was due to an unbudgeted expenditure write-o of assets due to accounting adjustments of $5.2m. It was partially o set by the revaluation of forestry assets and an interest rate swap agreement.

Jonathan Leask

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

It’s quite unusual for a Reserve Bank Governor to say let’s stop spending and see if we can push the country into recession to get in ation under control

“

School speed reductions coming

Children’s safety is being preferred to avoiding driver frustration and doubling a budget for speed reductions around schools in Mid Canterbury.

Next year the Ashburton District Council will introduce 30kph speed limits at every primary school in the district.

Variable 30kph speed limits will be introduced to all rural schools, and permanent 30kph limits will be introduced at urban schools.

Councillors had signalled a desire for all the school speed zones to have variable speed signs, but that blew the costs out to $1.25m – with an existing budget of $600,000.

Councillor Russell Ellis was quick to deliver a reminder to his colleagues about their recent election campaigns.

“We all campaigned on being budget conscious, and now suddenly for this, people want to spend an extra $700,000 for something that isn’t being recommended.”

Ellis said people will get into the habit of the new speed limits in the urban areas.

“We are talking a maximum 400m strip, it might take you an extra 25 seconds to drive that strip. That’s is your inconvenience.”

Councillor Richard Wilson said the cost was a big factor, and the change from 50kph down to 30kph is not great.

“It’s a built-up urban environment and 30kph is where it’s going in those environments.”

Councillor Tony Todd preferred not to frustrate motorists with a permanent reduction, and supported variable speed limits – even if it doubles the budget.

Todd asked if, with a change in budget, could the council seek further funding from Waka Kotahi, to which chief executive Hamish Riach said it could, but gave it no chance of being granted, as the funding category had already been severely reduced.

Roading manager Mark Chamberlain said the school zones could be changed from permanent to variable in future when more funding became available.

Chamberlain also said the “speed limit itself probably isn’t going to change how people drive that much” and it was about consistency.

“We should be able to know that past a primary school, no matter where you are in the country, it’s a 30kph speed limit.”

Eastern Ward councillors, Lynette Lovett and Wilson, had also pushed for the rural variable speed zones to be 60kph, but were out-voted.

Lovett suggested starting at 60kph and reviewing it rather than the immediate “drastic 30kph” change.

Mayor Neil Brown said it shouldn’t matter where a school is, “a child is a child” and there is no difference where they go to school.

It was also noted that Waka Kotahi, through its interim speed management plan, is also proposing a 30kph variable speed limit on State Highway 77 outside Ashburton Borough and in Methven in front of the three schools.

Now

Next steps

Council group manager infrastructure and open spaces, Neil Mccann said mapping the exact locations where the new school speed limit zones will start and end will be presented in a report to the council for approval.

“That work is already well underway, so the report should be ready for a February council meeting,” McCann said.

“As the funding is in place for the 2022/23 financial year, we want to have it all finished before June.”

Once the exact locations are approved by the council, the new speed limits will be logged in the National Speed Limit Register for certification by Waka Kotahi and then the new signs will be installed and the limits will become enforceable.

A family-owned business, building homes in Mid Canterbury for over 40 years

Your speed past urban schools in Mid Canterbury will become permanently 30kph next year, while rural schools will receive 30kph variable speed zones. PHOTO JONATHAN LEASK

Jonathan Leask

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

that the Interim Speed Management Plan has been adopted by the Council, it will be sent to Waka Kotahi for approval.

‘Over The Rainbow’ with role

Malcolm Hopwood

When Shayna Cairns saw the movie, The Wizard of Oz, at the age of seven, she knew Dorothy was a part she’d love to perform.

This year Variety Theatre Ashburton announced The Wizard of Oz as their main production for 2023 and Shayna immediately knew she should audition for the leading role, made famous by Judy Garland.

“I’ve been singing all my life at home on our lifestyle block at Flemington and saw Dorothy as an opportunity to perform on stage,” she said.

“I’ve sung her song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, at home but never in public.”

She’d had previous experience with Big Little Theatre, achieved Trinity College grade eight on the piano and writes her own songs, but now wanted to experience musical theatre. Shayna auditioned for Jesus Christ Superstar this year, sang in the choir and then started preparing for Dorothy.

“I liked her sincerity and innocence,” Cairns said. “She’s not afraid to fight for what she wants.

“I think the auditioning panel saw my determination and passion to bring my own version of Dorothy to the role. I’m dedicated to it 120 per cent.”

Dorothy and Toto, her dog, are caught up in a whirlwind in Kansas and transported to the

land of Oz. There she fights to get back home and, on her way, meet the tin man, the cowardly

lion and the scarecrow.

“I love the characters and will enjoy the bond that develops

between Dorothy and them,” she said.

“Music is very much part of

my life and, in the future, I’d like to pursue musical theatre and be recognised as a song writer.”

Pool fundraising going along swimmingly

through one event is pretty impressive and shows what a community can do,” Newport said.

The pool had to undergo major repairs after a range of problems were found last season in the ageing community facility.

The team behind the Methven Community Pool is hoping to be swimming by the end of summer after a raft of funding coming their way.

Maintenance manager Jimmy Newport has been amazed by the community support they have received so far, as they pass the fundraising goal halfway mark.

“ We have had a huge response from the community which has enabled us to hit the go button on a few stages of the project,” Newport said.

The most recent money has come from grants and community fundraising efforts. They received $40,000 from Mid and South Canterbury Trust in their most recent round of grants.

Along with the grants the pool has received donations from the Vintage Car Club, Methven Primary School, Methven Lions, and Paddock Vets.

“The biggest one for me is what the Methven Primary School have done, they are the ones that get to use it every day and so far they have missed out.

“To raise a little over $7000

To resolve the problems the committee needed to raise $250,000.

So far they have raised $150,000 which Newport said should be enough to get the essential repairs done so they can open before the end of the season.

“Ideally we would have had all the cash now to do the upgrades all at once and be open for January.”

If everything stays on track they are hoping that they will be able to complete the essential upgrades to reopen by February.

“The best case is being open by early February, failing that we will have to miss a season unfortunately.

“We are having some hot days now, so it is disappointing that the pool is not open.”

Newport said they are still aiming to raise another $100,000 to complete all the desired upgrades. But if they got to $200,000 it would allow them to finish the resurfacing.

“We still have a number of grants still out for application so we are hoping to have some success in those.”

If they miss the February deadline the committee will be forced to miss a season and focus on November 2023.

Methven Community Pool maintenance manager Jimmy Newport is hoping that the pool can soon look like this again as they race against time to get it open for summer.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Daniel Alvey

Shayna Cairns, 22, has been selected to play the role of Dorothy in Variety Theatre Ashburton’s major production for 2023 The Wizard of Oz.

RantorRave

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Shit town tag simply doesn’t fit

Christmas – a time of giving, of sharing – and eating a plate of ham the size of the entire cast of Babe, the hit 1990s movie about the pig who wanted to be a sheepdog.

But Christmas is also a time when columnists and editorial writers – desperate for something to write about in an otherwise quiet news period – try to get clever and lighten the mood.

Who am I to buck the trend?

And that leads me perfectly into this, a belief that, here in Ashburton, we’re feeling more puzzled than peed-off at having been voted one of New Zealand’s shittiest towns, according to an online poll with dubious merit.

Shit Towns of New Zealand organisers have been cutting in their assessment of Ashburton, calling it Trashburton and saying, among other things, that it’s one of the most mind-numbingly boring towns in the country.

Daryl Holden

Ashburton has come in fifth in their ratings in which Invercargill – yes, my beloved hometown of Invercargill – has been crowned New Zealand’s Shit Town of the Year for the first time, heading off two-time champions Huntly, which won the unprestigious award in 2019 and 2020.

Look, a few things stick out here, as I venture into slightly dangerous territory with, please note, my tongue firmly planted in my gob.

■ Firstly: Any advertising is good, even of this nature. Right? So, let’s lap it up. Laugh at ourselves. Let’s not get defensive.

It’s simply not worth getting

worked up about, though some have on the Guardian’s Facebook page.

■ Any leaderboard where Waimate, Milton or Timaru are outside the top three nationally is obviously flawed. Isn’t it?

statue and love of country music and mullet hairstyles.

■ Better luck next year Huntly. I’m sure you’ll be back where you belong in 2023.

Seriously, perhaps this whole brown benediction kerfuffle

So, let’s lap it up. Laugh at ourselves. Let’s not get defensive. It’s simply not worth getting worked up about

■ Congratulations must go to Auckland for cracking the top three this year. Surely, they’re on track for being the ultimate shit town winner in 2023.

■ How did Gore only finish sixth? Just joking all my Goreon friends (that’s their own self-titled play on moron). I love you all and your giant fish

has been best put in its place by long-time Ashburton broadcaster Pete McQuarters.

He said Ashburton was actually one of New Zealand’s “shit-hot towns of the year” and doesn’t deserve the unflattering reputation and naming and shaming bestowed on it by a couple of unknown Facebook page users.

I couldn’t have said it better myself, Peter Mac. And that shithot commendation has never been more obvious than right now.

Look at the story on page 3 about a random stranger buying an Ashburton boy a bike after his new BMX was stolen just after his birthday. The new bike buyer, preferring not to be named and to stay out of the limelight, stepped up to help out a caring single mum and her young son. Outstanding.

Or what about the offer of food, clothes, toys, and gifts that have come in for the woman, whose house was burnt down in Ashburton this week?

That sort of stuff simply doesn’t happen in shitty towns. I think we all know and understand that.

And that, more than anything, is what we should all be celebrating and recognising.

Weirdos’ Christmas

Now that my babes are young adults, it’s a relief to be able to buy one Christmas present for each of them.

I was always the useless eejit that would be up at 1am still wrapping the ridiculous amounts of landfill for under the tree and Santa sacks. Although the more I became aware of landfill issues, the more I did try to make my presents useful at least.

So no more Santa sacks, even though the 23-year-old is still dog on me because she believes the 25-yearold got two more years of Santa sacks than her. She reckons that the only fair thing for me to do is give her two more years of multiple pressies from the big guy.

It’s not happening, no amount of 23-year-old tanties will sway me . . . I don’t think.

But one thing I can never be swayed on is the type of food we eat on Christmas Day. I’ve never been able to understand why, in the middle of summer, you would have a full-on heavy roast meal (however, I can’t remember a hot Christmas Day in a while either).

I don’t care what other people do, I’m not judging that . . . as long as people are doing what makes them happy I’m all for it. I’m just saying that

Fenwick MY FORKING LIFE

I would never have a traditional English Christmas meal, apart from when I actually lived in England.

I can’t stand turkey. Stuffing makes me gag and I’ve never made a Christmas cake in my life, although my mum used to. I would just pick out the glace cherries and peel.

I wouldn’t thank you for roast beef or roast lamb . . . not fussy at all right? It drove my mum mad.

But one of the things I loved and appreciated about my darling muma was her ability to not blindly follow tradition. She was a thinker, she worked through things and then she made her own mind up.

Maybe we were weird, but we were eating potato salad, a soy, cashew brown rice salad, ham and BBQs at Christmas and having champagne brunches when most of the western world was still shoving stuffing up turkeys’ butt-holes and stuffing themselves on Christmas pudding.

Mostly, we just had food that was

special to us on Christmas Day, and I reckon that’s the way it should be.

However, one tradition that would be sacrilegious to break in our family would be the Christmas trifle. It’s synonymous with the festive season for me, just like mum’s potato salad is that for my children.

Yes, I admit, sometimes the sherry pouring got a little bit generous. But that is the only change allowed. I recently found out my sister has, for years, been making trifle with Baileys Irish Cream.

What the hell is wrong with her. My other sister thinks I’m a bit harsh, but I feel the punishment should befit the crime and she should be chucked out of the family.

The other traditional dessert that we always had on Christmas Day when mum was still with us was pavlova. I’m not even sure if anyone in my family likes it, but she kept on making it year after year. Knowing my mum, she would’ve made it because it was a cheap option.

Whatever you are doing, whatever you are eating, whoever you are with this Christmas, I hope you are surrounded by love, fun and joy!

Have a blast and think about inviting me to your next Christmas, I’m not fussy at all.

Continuing to support families in Mid Canty

Jo Luxton

RANGITATA MP

Ihope you all get some down time over the summer period and wish you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas and a fantastic summer! There’s a lot on the horizon for next year, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work hard to support the Rangitata electorate.

For now though, I wanted to pass on my thanks to you all for your love and support to me and my family with the passing of my beautiful and courageous mum.

It has been a really tough time for us but your support and understanding has meant so much to us. Thank you.

Together we’ve achieved a lot this year. I am proud of the way we’ve continued to support New Zealanders through a challenging period while making progress on some of the biggest issues facing our community like housing, child poverty and climate change.

Thanks to our careful management of the books, our economy is in a strong position – and faring better than many other countries. However, we know global issues like rising inflation have had an impact here at home, and many people are feeling the pinch.

That’s why, to help ease the pressure on families, we’ve rolled out a whole package of cost of living support.

We know things are still tough for many here in the Ashburton District, but together, initiatives like the fuel tax cut, Winter Energy Payment and Cost of Living Payment will help make life a little easier.

While supporting New Zealanders with the cost of living has been a priority for us, we’ve also made progress in other key areas, including backing our primary sector, by continuing to pursue high quality trade agreements that diversify New Zealand’s trade relationships.

This includes unlocking access to some of the world’s biggest and most lucrative markets, which will see farmers and growers get even greater returns for their hard work.

Since taking office, we’ve concluded four free trade agreements, including with the United Kingdom and European Union. Thanks to this work, over 73 per cent of New Zealand’s global exports are now covered by a free trade agreement.

Consumers around the world are increasingly demanding higher levels of sustainability in the products they buy. To stay ahead of the international curve, we’re also working alongside industry to position New Zealand’s food and fibre sector as the best in the world, and the best for the world.

These are just some of the things we’ve achieved this year.

Jo Luxton is a Labour MP.. The views, opinions, positions or strategies expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, positions or strategies of the Ashburton Guardian Co Ltd or any employee thereof

More blessed to give than to receive?

Iwonder how generous you are at Christmas. Do you buy wonderful gifts for family and friends? Do you give to Christmas appeals, community dinners, buy charity Christmas cards, give gifts for the children of prisoners, cans to foodbank and put out a box of chocolates for the rubbish collector and junk mail deliverer?

If so, you are making a lovely impact on the world. And I guess you may embrace the old saying “It’s more blessed to give

Indrea Alexander CHRISTIAN COMMENT

than to receive” – but it ain’t necessarily so. It can be amazingly good for our self-sufficient (and even our generous) selves to be on the receiving end.

I was once invited into the home of an elderly brother and sister who offered to share their evening meal with me.

They apologised that they didn’t have much, and they cut their sandwich in two and gave me half as they shared the other half. Then they did the same with a piece of fruit. It was a humbling and truly blessed experience to be on the receiving end of a simple selfless act of love.

At the heart of Christmas is a profoundly selfless act of love. For our sake,

God chose to enter our humanity as a baby. Jesus grew and suffered, loved and lost, and still found the strength to love again.

God’s profound gift of love is celebrated at Christmas.

Let’s receive this gift with humility and awe.

Arohanui and Christmas blessings, from Rev Indrea Alexander on behalf of Ashburton Anglican Parish and Ashburton Ministers’ Association.

Lisa

Nope, not happening . . . ever.

LIECHTENSTEIN’S

IS A

Eager to tick another country off my check-list, Liechtenstein is a pin-prick of a principality with a postage-stamp sized capital, wedged between Switzerland and Austria.

Fun facts? One of the world’s wealthiest countries per capita, with a population comparable to Taupo, they haven’t had a murder in Liechtenstein for 15 years.

They’re also the world’s biggest manufacturer of false teeth. Ranked as the sixth-smallest country in the world, Liechtenstein offers a curious diversion from the well-worn tourist trail. Endowed with curious museums, graceful castles and elegant vineyards, what is there not to love?

The beating heart of Vaduz is surprisingly chic and modern, with its alluring array of tax-free luxury-goods stores and cube-shaped concrete buildings, in the pedestrianised zone below the castle. It’s hard to miss Schloss Vaduz, which seems to shuffle into view from all angles. This emblematic 700-yearold castle is a tale of towers and turrets, knights and legends, originally built as a fortress in the 12th century and now the official residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein. It’s for that reason that you can’t actually visit the castle.

Fair enough – I wouldn’t want randoms rummaging through my home, either. But take a guided walking tour to the castle gates in Vaduz and you’ll glean all manner of insights about the castle’s long history.

If you happen to be in Vaduz on August 15, you’re in luck. It’s Liechtenstein’s National Day and the prince opens his home for a public reception and a magnificent fireworks display. Back in town, I did admire his crown jewels in the Liechtenstein Treasure Chamber. The starring attraction is the royal coronet, a bejewelled crown, decorated with 26 pearls, 30 large diamonds and 99 smaller diamonds and 16 rubies.

All manner of state trinkets are on display, including the famous Apple Blossom Egg which was created by Carl Fabergé 120 years ago and a moon rock from the Apollo 11 mission. President Nixon gifted the rock to Liechtenstein in gratitude for the work of a local vacuum technology company who provided important components for Apollo’s lunar landing.

The Treasure Chamber adjoins the Postage Stamp Museum, on the same pedestrianised street as virtually all of Vaduz’s major attractions, Städtle. My philatelic friends tell me that Liechtenstein is a rock-star.

The Liechtenstein stamp has long been one of the most coveted stamps going and one of Europe’s more unusual museums tells the story of the country’s postal inde-

By Mike Yardley

pend-

ence. Well worth a look, trust me.

Nearby, the Tourist Information Centre, where you can buy a Liechtenstein Adventure Pass, which gives you direct access to 30 attractions, plus unlimited use of the public transport network.

At the far end of Städtle, the Cathedral of St Florin, an 1870s neo-Gothic delight, beloved for its stained glass windows and stunning steeple. You can see the graves of Prince Franz Joseph II, the father of the present ruling prince, and his wife, in this beautiful, contemplative space.

Right next door, Parliament Building and the main square.

Like a giant Lego piece, it was built using more than a million bricks, in 2008. In the heart of Städtle, Kuntsmuseum Liechtenstein. This black, monolithic block houses the State Art Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art. From the striking exterior (which has river

pebbles from the Rhine River Valley embedded in its façade) to the sleek, clean lines of the interior space, the museum is a beautiful canvas celebrating a carefully curated collection of art.

Its collection of 19th-century pieces, including sculptures and artwork from the prince’s private collection arouses interest. But it’s the frequently changing exhibitions of modern art that is the biggest draw. You won’t Old Dutch Masters here – more like Andy Warhol and David Weiss.

To get a deeper sense of how Vaduz once looked, take a stroll around the old hillside neighbourhood of Mitteldorf – just above the town centre.

You’ll discover a clutch of timeworn traditional houses, flower boxes and cobblestone streets. The star of the show is the eye-catching Red House. With its deep red hue, pretty stone tower and attached vineyard, this 14th century man-

sion is fairytale fabulous. Wine has been grown in Liechtenstein for over 2000 years, with the first boom in production coming during the Roman occupation, before Christian monks took charge of proceedings.

I definitely recommend visiting the Prince of Liechtenstein Winery, where you can wander through the vineyards and sample the excellent wines. With its four hectares of south-west-facing slopes and mild

Nestled at the foot of forested mountains, flanking the banks of the Rhine River and studded by a hillsideclinging turreted castle, the location of Liechtenstein’s capital of Vaduz is a visual symphony.

LIECHTENSTEIN’S CAPITAL

climate influenced by the warm Föhn wind, they produce superb pinot noir and chardonnay. You can also take a tour of the Princely Wine Cellars.

Where to stay? Park Hotel Son-

nenhof has a knock-out location on a plateau above the town, a luxury hillside retreat with dreamy views of the valley below as mountains soar above you.

I loved waking up to a view of

Vaduz Castle. If you’re the sort of traveller who loves resting up in velvet chaise lounges or fragrant rose gardens, you will love it here. The hotel’s salons and gues-

trooms

Good destination for: Lovers of history, ticking off another country, wine tasting and fairytale scenery.

Best treat: A signature local dessert –Kaiserschmarrn. This sweet fluffy pancake is made with rumsoaked raisins. It’s torn into bite-sized pieces, caramelised, and served with applesauce and plum compote.

Best way to get there: Easily reached by train from Zurich or Lake Constance in just two hours. You could do Vaduz as a day-trip.

Best novelty: The Old Rhine Bridge, a gnarly 135-metre long wooden construction that spans the river. Stop halfway and plant one foot in Switzerland and the other in little Liechtenstein. Cute.

Chanukah and the Friedlanders

BY NATALIE LIVERANT

Around the end of November and December, there is another holiday celebrated by many people around the world and here in Ashburton.

Chanukah (Hanukkah) celebrates two miracles that happened in Judea in 139 BCE; the first being the defeat of the Greek-Assyrian ruling class by Macabees after many decades of religious suppression, including the desecration of the Jewish holy temple.

During the clean-up of the temple, it was found that nearly everything inside had been stolen or destroyed, but a small pottle of blessed olive oil was found intact among the debris. This oil was used daily to light the menorah, a two-armed, seven-branched candelabra that represented the seven days it took to create the world. The original menorah had been stolen long ago, and the pottle was only enough to last one day, but the survivors decided to make a new menorah and use the oil for as long as it would last.

This is when the second miracle occured; it took eight days for more oil to arrive, yet all the while the small pottle of oil continued to burn.

Today, Jewish people around the world celebrate Chanukah by lighting candles on the menorah for eight nights, playing a game with dreidl (spinning top) and gelt (chocolate coins), and eating oily foods such as doughnuts and latkes (potato pancakes).

The Friedlanders

Jewish migration to New Zealand is well documented from the 1840s onwards.

By the early 1900s, communities were well established in the South Island centres of Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Hokitika and Timaru.

For a long time, I thought that Ashburton didn’t have a Jewish community, until I came across a few records noting a Jewish plot in the Ashburton Cemetery.

Digging into the names and the archives a bit further, it turns out that the second mayor of Ashburton and prominent businessman, Hugo Friedlander, along with his brothers Rudolph and Max, are the earliest recorded immigrants of Jewish heritage in town. Incidentally, it is largely members of this family that take up the Jewish plot in the old part of Ashburton Cemetery.

After leaving Prussia when he came of age, Hugo first moved to Ashburton at the age of 22 to establish a branch of business for his employer, general merchant Julius Mendelson of Temuka.

In 1876, Hugo, alongside his brothers, bought out Mendelson and began to build one of the most successful businessess in the district.

Friedlander Bros. Ltd. exported what was considered for the time some the largest quantities of grain and wool to Australia and Europe.

They also were one of the earlier exporters of frozen Canterbury mutton to England. Over time, the brothers and a few other family members established various businesses in town, including a grocers, but Hugo was by far the most active

Above – Grain stores on West Street, 1902. The Friedlander Bros. Ltd. grain store is closest, at right of frame.

AM&HS COLLECTION, PHOTO REFERENCE 04.2004.0150G.

Right – Hugo Friedlander (centre) when he was chairperson of the Ashburton Hospital Board, c. 1915.

AM&HS COLLECTION, PHOTO REFERENCE 03.1989.0079.

in public matters. His obituary in The Press, October 1928, lists his accomplishments:

Mr Friedlander was the second Mayor of Ashburton being elected in 1879, following the late Mr T. Bullock. He occupied that position for two years and again from 1890 to 1892, and 1898 to 1901.

In the intervals and up to 1908 he served three times as a member of the council. He was a member of the county council for a term in 1881 and from 1890 till 1914, representing either Wakanui or Upper Ashburton ridings.

He was county chairman in 1894. He occupied a seat on committee of the county council that administered the affairs of the hospital before the constitution of the board being chairman of that body in 1901 and 1909.

When the board was constituted Mr Friedlander was appointed first chairman, in 1910 was associated with Ashburton A&P Associations, Ashburton County Saleyards Company Ltd, Ashburton Co-Operative Dairy Company Ltd, Staveley Dairy Company, Ashburton Permanent Building and Investment Society, and Ashburton Gas, Coal, and Coke Company, as well as numerous companies in Wellington and Christchurch.

Mr Friedlander was ever ready to support the cause of education in Ashburton, two testimonies to his interest in this direction being the Friedlander science laboratory at the Ashbur-

ton High School, and his gift of £1000 towards the erection of the Borough School.

He was a member of the High School Board of Governors for a number of years. Football and swimming also claimed his attention, and the Friedlander cup, which he gave to the Tinwald Swimming Club, goes to show his interest in that direction ...

Hugo was a busy man with seemingly little downtime.

In addition to the positions listed above, he was also a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, elected in 1905 and serving until he stepped down in 1916. He was also known for participating in various charitable local and national causes during

his 40 years in Ashburton.

Despite all that we know of Hugo’s public activities, little is known of the private life of the Friedlanders or other Jewish members of the Ashburton community.

The Jewish plot reveals that life was not always easy, noting the death of several infants and children, Hugo’s first wife Lalla and his brother’s cousin Moritz, are among some of the legible stone markers.

Given the time and dedication the family gave to Ashburton, I was somewhat confused as to why the whole family left until I came upon an old Guardian article from 1985 that seemed to shed some light.

During the First World War, as anti-German sentiment grew in New Zealand, so did it grow in Ashburton.

The tension between the community and the Friedlander family became too much for them to stay, and so in 1915 the Friedlander Brothers left Ashburton, folding the last of their businesses by 1920.

And so with Chanukah upon us, let’s think not only of the Friedlander family and their dedication to Ashburton, but also of current Jewish communities across Aotearoa in wishing everybody a happy Chanukah and a great holiday season for all. Chag sameach! (Happy holidays).

FinalWhistle

calling time on a week of sport

Grinding on the greens

A group of hardy souls undertook the challenge of 72 holes of golf in one day on Thursday to raise funds for the Cancer Society. The drive was led by Ashburton Golf Club’s club captain, Tom Blacklow (left) who was joined in his playing group by James McFarlane and Dylan Stoddart.

FULL STORY: P15

Major bowls return to Ashburton

Indoor Bowls executive and the playing community, that it was a certainty Ashburton would be asked to host once again.

National level indoor bowls is returning to Mid Canterbury once again.

At the New Zealand Indoor Bowls annual general meeting earlier this month, two key events in the coming two years were booked for Ashburton – again confirming the standing the sport locally has within the national make-up.

Ashburton was confirmed as the venue for the 2025 National Championships, which will see close to 1000 players from all across the country travel to the region to compete in the week-long event, which is likely to be held at the EA Networks Centre. It will be the second time the region has hosted the event, following on from when they first hosted it in 2018.

The EA Networks Centre was used as the stadium for the event, which takes in national titles in singles, pairs, triples and fours over the course of seven days of play. Such was the resounding feedback from that event, from both the New Zealand

With huge financial benefit for the district given the sheer volume of people staying, playing and eating in the region, its return will be a major plus for the district in two years’ time.

The occasion will be extra special in 2025 as well, with the event set to be the 75th anniversary of the first New Zealand Indoor Bowls nationals.

Before that though, the Ashburton Indoor Bowls Association will also play host for the annual South Island Championships in 2024, a perfect taste-tester at a smaller level for the following year.

Held around Queen’s Birthday weekend each year, the South Island Championships see 300-400 people compete across the course of the weekend, with all also staying in the Mid Canterbury region.

The annual general meeting also saw Ashburton’s Michael Lawson elected unopposed for his third official year in the chair as president of New Zealand Indoor Bowls.

It will technically be his fourth year at the helm, having served one year as acting president.

Ashburton was confirmed as the venue for the 2025 National Championships, which will see close to 1000 players from all across the country travel to the region to compete in the week-long event

2022 SPORTING TOP TEN

Celtic’s unbeaten year more than just netball

Pure domination in the finest of forms, and a masterclass in how to play the game of netball.

They might call the Topp Twins the untouchable girls, but you could make a claim for this year’s Celtic A side being almost as deserving, given no-one even came close to them throughout the entire season.

As another sporting year comes to an end there’s plenty to reflect on. From victories at club level right through to international and national success Mid Canterbury has again produced the goods. Matt Markham works through 10 of his favourite story subjects in no particular order from 2022.

Before the pre-season rush had even kicked into gear there was talk of a newlook, but strangely familiar Celtic side returning to premier netball in 2022 for coach Ange Leadley.

Players who’d taken time away to start families or sort out those niggling injuries were keen to get back out on the court and have some fun again, but for many the motivation ran even deeper.

The sad loss of good friend Rachel Summerfield motivated a large number of the group to seize the day and not take anything for granted, and they honoured her in the best possible way.

Unbeaten throughout the season they claimed championship honours late in the season and finished with some very impressive numbers.

750 goals went through the net at an average of 44 per match, and while that makes for impressive reading they conceded just 21 goals per game – underlining just how and why it was so hard for anyone to get past them.

Winning teams come and go, and sides will go through a season unbeaten again somewhere in the future, just like they have in the past, but there was something extra about this Celtic team.

Spearheaded by the experience and skill of players like Gina Woodhouse and Anna Holland, they balanced their side out beautifully across the court all season, and played a brand of netball that was at

times breathtaking and exciting. They worked the mid-court like old pros. Rebecca Cochrane, Shannon Stockdale, Molly Stapleton and Olivia Hutchinson making the game look easy as they transitioned from one end of the court to the other, while Olivia McLennan and Hayley Murphy were also constantly on hand and in space to convert possession into points.

They set a high standard for themselves all year, and Woodhouse gave an example of that when she spoke post-season about the campaign and talked about being disappointed at times.

“It’s funny, you go out there to play your best – but we’re all pretty competitive people and really want to push ourselves to be the best.

“I remember there being nights where we won by 20 goals and walking off the court and being really disappointed with the way that I’d played – that was just the bar we’d set and if we didn’t get there it was frustrating.”

With expectations and self-belief like that, it’s no wonder they produced one of the best seasons of netball seen by a Mid Canterbury club side in many years.

And the prospect of a return in 2023 is just as exciting.

The New Zealand Indoor Bowls nationals are set to return to Ashburton for the second time in 2025.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Matt Markham

“

Shannon Stockdale in action.

Olivia Hutchinson looks for her target down the court.

Digging deep for a good cause

round in about two hours and 15 minutes, so pretty good going considering.

Halfway through a marathon golfing effort to raise funds for the Cancer Society on Thursday, spirits were high on the greens of the Ashburton Golf Club.

Close to a dozen of the club’s members were out on the fairways looking to push through an impressive four full rounds of golf in the space of one day, and were halfway through their challenge when the Guardian visited.

“It’s going well so far, there’s some good scores being posted and some not-so-good scores being posted,” club captain, and the driving force behind the day, Tom Blacklow said.

“We’ve pushed through some holes, we managed the first

“I think the best result we’ve had so far though has been the weather. It’s great conditions out there considering how wet things have been lately.”

With friendly banter and a bit of competition between players also being undertaken there were plenty of laughs as the groups turned around at the halfway point, with Jeff Hewitt leading the charge after two excellent rounds to start the day which had him at even par through the first 36.

While he called for donations through a funding page, Blacklow was also encouraging those out on the course with him to partake in what he was dubbing ‘donation golf’, as well with various outcomes within a hole relating to a monetary donation.

“It could end up being expensive as the day goes on and

everyone starts getting a little tired.”

After kicking off at 6am on Thursday morning, the group still looked fresh and well six hours later as they stepped out for the third round of the day.

Blacklow has no set goal in mind on how much money he does want to raise from the day, but said being able to get out and do something he loves

while raising money for an important cause was the best result.

“We all know someone who has been impacted by cancer, so it’s a great cause to get behind and I’m sure every little bit counts.”

A full report of the day and how much money was raised will be published in Tuesday’s edition of the Guardian.

Osei-Nketia yet to speak to Athletics NZ

RNZ

New Zealand 100m record holder Eddie Osei-Nketia’s decision to pursue a career in American football appears to have come as a surprise to Athletics New Zealand.

The 21-year-old confirmed on social media on Wednesday he would be joining the University of Hawaii football team.

The university also announced the news on their social media channels.

In response, Athletics NZ released a short statement saying they had only received “recent confirmation” of Osei-Nketia’s move.

“We have not yet had the opportunity to speak to Eddie about his future and whether it is possible for him to continue competing as an elite sprinter,” the statement said.

“We are reaching out to Eddie to gain clarity about his future ambitions on the track.”

Canberra-based Osei-Nketia didn’t mention sprinting or ath-

letics in his post announcing the decision, indicating he was fully committed to making a success of his switch.

“Man! I feel so blessed for this opportunity,” he posted to Insta-

“Never thought I would ever have a chance to go to play college football, as it has been a life-

long dream to play football.”

The former Scots College student broke the national 100m record, held by his father Gus for 28 years, when he ran 10.08 secs in the heats at the World Athlet-

ics Championships in the US in July.

However, Osei-Nketia was not selected for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which was the second controversial non-selection of his career.

He also missed out on making the team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which he expressed his disappointment and frustration about on social media at the time

“Qualifying to the games is one. thing but qualifying and your NOC still doesn’t sent [sic] you, that really hurts, man,” he posted on Instagram.

“While other athletes from other countries get to go to the games. It’s [sic] sucks and it’s unfair but it is what it is. Putting in soo [sic] much time, sweat, tears and blood into this game just so you can one day represent the country that the country deserve instead gets declined.”

The University of Hawaii introduced Osei-Nketia as a potential wide-receiver, while he was also expected to be looked at as a running back.

gram along with a photo of him signing his University of Hawaii contract.

Above - Tom Blacklow leads the charge during the 72-hole golf challenge on Thursday at the Ashburton Golf Club.

PHOTO MATT MARKHAM 221222-MM-004

Eddie Osei-Nketia is off to the United States to try his hand at American football.

Matt Markham

Adrian Hopwood.

Jeff Hewitt.

Thirty days in Doha – the good, the bad and everything

As the FIFA circus is racing to Hamad Airport to get out of Qatar, former Ashburton Guardian editor Coen Lammers, who covered the tournament for RNZ, reflects on 30 Days in Doha his sixth World Cup.

The Good

Is there such a thing as too much football?

Having all teams and matches in one city created an opportunity to watch more games than at any other World Cup.

One reporter new to the World Cup remarked that he was experiencing three World Cups rolled into one.

Some people, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Fatma Samoura, managed to get to each match, even with four on one day, but may have seen more of the Doha traffic than actual football.

Home sweet home

Instead of endless hours on trains and in airports, packing and unpacking, the fans attending the World Cup in Qatar could sleep in the same room all month and get to know their host city.

The flipside of that equation was that there is not much to do in Doha. Once they had visited the Souk Waqif, the beach and the handful of museums, fans started wondering what to do.

Safest World Cup in history

One thing all fans have been raving about has been the sense of safety, without ever seeing a policeman with a machine gun, like in Brazil or Russia.

You can leave your wallet on a bench in a park and it will still be there an hour later. Women and children can walk around town in the early hours without having to look over their shoulder.

Granted, the residents may not have the same freedom of expression we enjoy in New Zealand, but most migrant workers from Africa and Asia will tell you that they prefer the autocracy of Qatar over the volatile democracies in their homelands.

Morocco and the other heroes

Upsets make a tournament come to life

and the Moroccan team delivered them in spades, along with the Saudis, the Japanese and other so-called minnows.

The gaps in world football are clearly closing, and New Zealand Football better keep up with the pace or they may find themselves getting toppled in Oceania before they even reach the next World Cup.

The performances by teams outside of Europe and South America has provided a bit more credibility to the decision to expand the tournament to 48 teams.

The Bad

Qatar is still Qatar.

You come to Qatar and you play by our rules, however archaic they are. The local attitudes towards people in the LGBT+ community and migrant workers has been well-documented and has left a stain on Qatar 2022 that will be impossible to wash out.

Local expats confirm that worker rights have improved significantly over the past few years under the intense international spotlight, but Ibrahim, outside one main hotel in Doha, still only gets paid $NZ431 a month for directing traffic for 12 hours a day with only Fridays off. That equates to an hourly rate of just over 64 cents. Back home in Africa, however, he said there are no opportunities and his family would be starving.

The Big Beer Debate

The late Qatari U-turn around beers in the stadiums caused the biggest sandstorm the Arabian Peninsula has ever seen. Or maybe it was just a storm in a teacup.

Doha has plenty of bars and they were packed all tournament, with Argentinians, Mexicans, Americans, Dutch, Welsh and English.

The main problem for visiting fans was

not the lack of alcohol, but the price of beer, ranging from $17 a bottle during Happy Hour to an eye-watering $30 for a drink in some upmarket hotels. But that did not seem to stop anyone from drinking.

Erik from Oslo even commented that the beers in Doha were cheaper than back in Norway, and did not understand the fuss over drinking in stadiums as most European stadiums have been alcohol free for years.

It was surprising to see how Qataris were also knocking back their Heinekens in the back of the local bars, which underlines the double standards.

Those double standards also include the many glasses of champagne and liquor handed out in the VIP sections of the alcohol-free stadiums or at the media function this week, where the alcohol-free host country plied the visiting media with as much alcohol as they could handle

Where has everyone gone?

The spectators at many stadiums seemed to be playing hide and seek this tournament, with certain sections empty at the start and suddenly filling up in the second half.

We now know that the Qatari ‘fans’ have a very short attention span and simply leave when they have had enough, while the empty spots in other stadiums have been filled by migrant workers who quickly are offered a free ticket at the last minute to fill a spot.

The empty spaces have been particularly hard on those Moroccans and Argentinians fans who used their life savings to travel to Qatar but could not get a ticket.

Even at the final, many seats in the VIP section were empty.

The Weird and Wonderful

Among those thousands of fans spending their savings, and in some cases selling their car or house, one Argentinian fan on Sunday outside the Lusail Stadium had a sign pleading for donations to buy him a flight back to Buenos Aires.

He somehow managed to score a ticket to the final, but did not seem too

concerned about how to get back home. That’s what you call priorities.

I just want to go home

Nobody expected Morocco to reach the semi-finals and still be playing for third place on the final weekend.

Not even Moroccans themselves.

One poor journalist from Casablanca burst into tears when a colleague asked him about his family. He showed a picture of his young daughter and said that he was only supposed to be away for 10 days.

The success of the Atlas Lions was clearly bittersweet for this Moroccan scribe, who was near inconsolable after being separated from his loved ones for over a month.

Not on my turf

Some eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that the giant World Cup trophy standing on the centre circle during the national anthems suddenly disappeared after the first few games.

Apparently the inflatable roll-on-roll-off trophy and it’s fireworks was too heavy and groundkeepers at several venues started noticing a dip in some pitches.

Thankfully, the organisers came up with a lighter version to add a bit of flair to the semi-finals and final.

How little do we know?

Coming to the World Cup has been an eye-opener for many, and confirms how little Westerners know about other regions.

With many more Arabic and African fans and media at this tournament than previously, other visitors to Qatar had an opportunity to be educated.

This became particularly evident at the Fan Fest, when the Africans would start jumping around to the sounds of a huge hit from their continent, but unknown in the West, and Arabic crowds would erupt with other songs that most in the West have never heard.

And music is merely the tip of an iceberg of ignorance.

The World Cup has been a wonderful chance to mix, listen and learn.

It may be a slogan, but football truly unites.

The Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha.

Everything on a spectacular scale. The fireworks were for a semi-final match between France and Morocco at the Al-Bayt Stadium.

Numbers disappoint for West Coast circuit

Williams the one to follow at Wingatui

By Matt Markham matt.m@theguardian.co.nz

A truncated racing period and a struggle to find accommodation has left the annual West Coast harness racing circuit this year severely low on numbers.

The usually hugely popular Christmas racing circuit, which takes in two days of action at Patterson Park in Westport and then one day at Reefton over the course of five days, struggled to get off the ground this year, with only 70odd horses accepting to take their place on the first day of the meeting on Boxing Day.

With many people still out of their homes following the flooding events in Westport over the past 18 months, a number of trainers spoken to by the Guardian said that the lack of accommodation had halted their plans to attend.

But there’s still a number of hardy souls trekking over the alps, including a few from Mid Canterbury.

Five Mid Canterbury-trained runners will compete on Boxing Day, and while their chances won’t be given huge consideration by the bookmakers, long-priced winners and the Coast circuit do go hand-in-hand.

Fairton trainer Willy Lake takes his stable across for the

meeting, and both go into Monday’s meeting off encouraging Methven runs a fortnight ago.

Webs Reactor finished second behind Classey Robin with a dashing run up the passing lane to show he was on track for a potentially profitable trip, while maiden trotter Tarukenga was a nice

fifth on the same day.

Both have fallen into winnable races on the programme if they were to do things right and get the right trip.

Carl Markham will drive both runners.

Neil Burton has both President Pat and Reindeer Trouble engaged, with the later showing he’s not far off some

worthwhile form with a good fourth at Methven two starts back.

With his usual good manners he isn’t the worst top four chance in the last race on Boxing Day.

The Mid Canterbury contingent is rounded out by former Westport winner, Changeover Jo for John Withell.

It’s a book of rides you wouldn’t put the house on, but Kylie Williams’ book of rides at Wingatui on Boxing Day is the sort of book the gold coin, each-way punters love to follow.

The leading South Island hoop, who has 18 wins next to her name for the season, will take close to a full book of riding engagements at the annual Boxing Day meeting in Otago, and while none stand out, all of her rides look to have an each way hope.

She rides the talented Rockland for major supporter Terri Rae in the $65,000 Hazlett Stakes – the feature race on the card – and the son of Snitzel will be out to continue his unbeaten record on the Wingatui track.

In two appearances there he’s won on both occasions and with a good draw and light weight compared to some of his rivals he looks a big chance of making it three.

Rae and Williams combine earlier in the day with another strong chance in the promising Guitar Man, who has come back bigger and stronger this campaign and finds a very winnable race.

She’s also on board the recently returned from Australia Classic Diva for Kelvin and Aimee Tyler in the day’s penultimate race, and if she is able to live up to her full ability she’ll also be a serious contender.

The South Island jockey ranks are currently without two of their major stars, with Tina Comignaghi and Sam Wynne –who are the two leading jockeys in terms of wins from the South Island this season, both still on the sidelines following last Thursday’s fall at Ashburton which tragically claimed the life of Megan Taylor.

Webs Reactor is one of five Mid Canterbury horses racing at Westport on Boxing Day.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Matt Markham

WeeklyWorkout

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Sacked England coach, Eddie Jones has been linked with Australia and which other nation?

a) Wales b) USA c) Canada

2. Zoi Sadowski-Synnott was named NZ Olympic athlete of the year. Which event did she win gold in? a) Slopestyle b) Big Air c) Half-Pipe

3. Venus Williams won that ASB Classic by beating Caroline Wozniacki in which year? a) 2014 b) 2015 c) 2016

4. Who is taking over as head coach of the Black Caps when they stop in India in late in January?

a) Mike Sandle b) Shane Jurgensen c) Luke Ronchi

5. What was the penalty shootout score in the World Cup Final between France and Argentina?

a) 4-2 b) 4-3 c) 5-4

6. Who is the current captain of the Silver Ferns?

a) Jane Watson b) Ameliaranne Ekenasio c) Gina Crampton

7. If Tom Blacklow was to shoot two-over par in each of his four rounds on Thursday, what would his total shots be? a) 284 b) 288 c) 292

8. Methven won the Watters Cup earlier this year, who captained the side to victory?

a) Brenton Connell b) Matt Groom c) Matt Stone

Answers: 1. B) USA, 2. A) Slopestyle, 3. B) 2015, 4. C) Luke Ronchi, 5. A) 4-2, 6. B) Ameliaranne Ekenasio, 7. B) 228, 8. C) Matt Stone.

Donner and Blitzen, uttered the Guardian’s in-house Santa, after his truly electrifying first ride in this $310,900 (including ORCs) MercedesAMG.

Just the way it looks is enough to indicate at what it is capable of – like zero to a 100km/h in 3.6 seconds, and a top speed (limited) of 250km/h.

But what lies beneath its 5.2 metre-long, luxuriously fitted out body might just surprise you, as it surely did Santa.

For there’s two electric motors, together with a 107-kWh, 400 volt battery, delivering 484kW and 950Nm of instantly effortless torque right from zero rpm.

Then, for the ultra-egotistical Santas, the optional AMG Dynamic pack increases this to 560kW and 1080Nm.

This, of course, all happens without the accompanying noise of an internal combustion engine working to its limits, nor any CO2 emissions or a Clean Car Fee.

Indoors, there’s every possible driver assistance and comfort feature imaginable, including huge screens stretching across whole dash, reality navigation, a Burmester 15-speaker sound system, a spread of driving modes, choices of energy recuperation, generated noise if you want and so much more.

All of which is appreciated from the excellent heated/cooled, Nappa leather seats (sitting in these with their massage

functions seemed for ‘our’ Santa much more appealing than the prospect of delivering gifts!)

Speaking of this, with the also inviting rear seats occupied there’s 580 litres of luggage space, or 1710 litres seats down, with easy loading through the large hatch.

While weighing in at 2712kg, the EQS has a low centre of gravity.

This, in concert with the very wide selection of driving/suspension choices, rear steering (this also helps achieve a 11.5-metre turning circle) the clever all-wheel-drive and wide 21-inch tyres, means it’s just so capable of impressively delivering whatever your/Santa’s choices are with both the ride and handling.

This all results in a long-legged gait that

can swallow huge distances – well up to 526km @23kWh/100km until a recharge is needed.

The maximum DC charging rate is 200kW.

In cut it's different when it's worn (5)

Listen: men at variance can prove soft-hearted (11)

Such things as one would rather! (11)

Sound of gnat flittering around top of window (5)

Heighten one in ears bent to shape (5)

What is sung in opera, fair assessment shows up (4)

An application of paint for Ulster, say (4)

Russian boy will soundly well up (5)

It takes an eon to conclude the meal (5)

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Think about the answers that didn't come, the unreturned call, the email floated out and lost to the digital sea ... Eventually, no answer can be a beautiful answer, though, or a fitting one, or just the one that got you here.

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): You'll encounter the small seeds of discord. Make sure they don't take root. Prevent problems in the future by keeping everything out in the open. Do not bury resentment or it will grow.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): You may find yourself in an awkward situation, but don't let that worry you. If you're doing life right, lots of it will be awkward. In any case, getting out of this is as simple as telling the truth.

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): The reasons people do what they do are not that mysterious. They usually choose the best option they have. You'll kindly point out options people might not have thought about and appreciate them doing it for you.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): No one gets truly rich by reaching a certain number of a commodity like dollars or gold. True abundance is a state of mind. One definition of wealth: valuing highly what is already yours.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Your actions are well known to you, unknown to many – and it's fine to keep it this way. Operating on a need-to-know basis is a smart plan. Who needs to know? Trust your instinct about this today, as it's right-on.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): The situation didn't seem to involve you, but you paid attention anyway and now you're glad you did. You'll be ready when it's time to make a decision. Your best guess will be based on firsthand information.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Don't talk about it, even to yourself, or you might talk yourself right out of it. Just do it and see what happens. Action begets action. Action changes something. Also, action changes everything.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): The most valuable thing the day has to offer is the chance to build a good relationship. It will be worthwhile for you to deviate from your original plan to take advantage of a spontaneous chance to connect.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): It excites you to be around strong personalities. There will be a tendency to gravitate toward the intimidating, impressive and charming. It is important for you to centre yourself so you don't get thrown off balance.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): The good fortune will need to be cultivated. It will take an hour or two. Conversation, a share of heart and service, cleaning, clearing – all ways to open a path for good luck to rush in.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Without dissatisfaction there would be no progress. So if you're not thrilled with the outcome, it might be the opportunity to revise, improve or invent to move things forward.

Making Storage Easier Since 2006

Storage Notice - No Contact

For the Attention of Mal Morunga and Teakatai Pokipoki, of Ashburton

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the above named persons is asked to bring this notice to their attention

Please urgently make contact with the above company Please phone 03 3070 401 or 021 554 570 or email office@rainbowstorage.co.nz

If no contact is made, goods will be deemed as abandoned and will be sold at Auction to recover debt. As per the Storage Agreement This a a 7 day notice from published date

Yours faithfully Rainbow Storage Management Ph 03 3070 401

FOR SALE

BUDGIES – 4 Male. This seasons brood. Yellow with Green chests. Young enough to tame and teach to talk. Price $25 each. Phone 0272036692.

FIREWOOD for sale: Green Bluegum $250 for 3.6 m³. Green Old Man Pine $220 for 3.6 m³. Phone Shane James Firewood. 0276113334.

HIRE

GENERAL hire. Lawnmowers, chainsaws, concrete breakers, trailers, and more. All your DIY / party hire, call and see Ashburton U-Hire. 588 East Street.

Open Monday-Friday 7.00am – 5.30pm; Saturday 7.30am - 5pm; Sunday 8.30am12.30pm - Phone 308 8061. www.ashburtonuhire.co.nz

MOTORING

WHEEL alignments at great prices. Maximise the life of your tyres with an alignment from Neumanns Tyre Services Ltd, 197 Wills Street. Phone 308 6737.

SPECIALISED SERVICES

FIRE Extinguisher sales and servicing. On farm contractors – trucks/ tractors/balers/combines/ cars/boats/caravans etc. Phone Mack at Doors and More on 0273960361.

WANTED

GENUINE private cash buyer, wanting Falcons, Holdens, Valiants or any pre 1995 vehicles suitable for preservation. Phone 021 02914847 or 03 615 7930

SITUATIONS VACANT

Positions available now:

- Field Staff - Labourers - Administrator - Agricultural Mechanic ... and more

Full-time, Part-time, or Contract Apply online: W. agstaff.co.nz P. 0800 247 8233

APPROXIMATELY 2 Hours Per Week, Searching Internet, Some Printing and Sending Emails. Good Hourly Rate Paid, Please Phone or Text 0276118053.

TRADES, SERVICES

LOCKSMITH/Door repairs. Keys/Locks, sliding and bifold door roller repairs. Mobile service. Call Nigel at Doors and More. Ph 027 516 7104

MR Green (Lawn and Garden Services) for all your Ride on and Rotary mowing, spraying, fertilising, garden and section tidy ups - Call Pat Prendergast 0274445314

SUN CONTROL WINDOW TINTING - Vehicles-homesoffices. Phone Craig Rogers 307 6347 - 027 258 0884 or 0800 TINTER. Member of Master Tinters NZ. Follow us on facebook www.windowtinter.co.nz

Rotary Club of Ashburton Plains Charitable Trust ‘CAR BOOT SALE’

Sunday 5th February 2023 10 am – 1 pm monthly West St. Car Park, Ashburton Sellers register by TXT name and email address to 027 231 7285 email:secretary@plainsrotary.org.nz

Needing a new staff member?

Call the Guardian today for your situation vacant advertising requirements. 307 7900

WEEKEND SERVICES

MEDICAL SERVICES

IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY PHONE 111.

DUTY DOCTORS

For all other medical assistance outside of normal hours please phone your general practice team, 24/7, to speak with a health professional who will give you free health advice on what to do or where to go if you need urgent care.

If you don’t have a regular general practice, call any GP team 24/7 for free telephone health advice.

Please bring your Community Services Card. All non-New Zealanders should bring their passport with them, New Zealanders should bring some form of ID.

Methven & Rakaia areas

For weekend and emergency

services please phone Methven Medical Centre on 302 8105 or Rakaia Medical Centre on 303 5002 for details on how to access the after-hours service each weekend.

Pharmacies

Wises Pharmacy, Countdown Complex, East Street, will be open from 9am - 1pm Saturday, from 10am1pm Sunday. Shut on public holidays.

Ashburton Rest Homes Please contact directly for hours.

Emergency dentist

If you do not have or cannot contact your regular dentist, please phone 027 683 0679 for the name of the rostered weekend dentist in Christchurch. Hours 9am - 5pm, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

Please respect any COVID-19 restrictions or requirements

HELPLINE SERVICESCOMMUNITY SERVICES

Healthline is a free health advice service. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number to call is 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by registered nurses who are trained to assess health problems and offer advice over the phone. The service is free and confidential.

Alcoholics Anonymous

Call 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) or visit www.aa.org.nz for more information.

Mental Health - Call free on 0800 222 955. Ask for the Crisis Team.

Safe Care - 24hr Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Support. Phone 03 364 8791

Victims Support Group

24hr - Freephone 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846). Direct dials to a volunteer.

Ashburton Office - 307 8409 week-days, 9am - 2pm, outside of these hours leave a message.

Alcohol Drug Help Line

Call us free on (0800 787 797).

Lines open 10am - 10pm seven days.

Art Gallery

327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 308 1133.

Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Museum

327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 307 7890.

Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Public Library Havelock Street. Ph 308 7192. Saturday: 10am - 1pm.

Sunday: 1pm - 4pm.

EA Networks Centre - Pools 20 River Terrace - phone 03 308 4020. WEEKEND HOURS: Sat and Sun 7am - 7pm. Public holidays 10am - 5pm.

Information Centre Methven - Saturday and public holidays 10am until 2.30pm. Phone 302 8955 or isite@ midcanterburynz.com

ANIMAL SERVICES

Dog, Stock & Noise Control

Ashburton District Council 03 307 7700 - 24hr service.

Animal Welfare Centre

All enquiries - phone 308 4432 or 027 3329286.

Veterinarians

WEEKEND EMERGENCIES

Please call your usual vet to be transferred to the emergency vet.

IN MEMORIAM

HARRIS, Tim –29/12/1957 – 27/12/2016

I am sending a dove to heaven

With a parcel on its wings

Be careful when you open it Its full of beautiful things

Inside are a million kisses

Wrapped in a million hugs

To say how much I miss you And to send you all my love

I hold you close within my heart

And there you will remain To walk with me throughout my life Until we meet again

Always loved and forever missed. You will always remain in our hearts.

Shirley, The late Keith and Ngaire, Rosy, Carolyn, Richard, Robert, Merran, Lenny, Trina, Wayne, Emelia, Michael, Issy. His brother Garth and all his amazing friends.

Dance forever.

How to send family notices

Family notices are important to everyone and among the most well-read aspects of our newspaper. If you would like a family notice published, be that for a death, a memorial, or an acknowledgment, then please note the following:

Email all notices (not just for deaths) to: deathnotices@ theguardian.co.nz

Information required: Please provide your full name and phone contact details.

24 Ashburton Guardian Saturday, December 24, 2022

THE TEAM AT ACL WISH YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAY

Thanks for your support in 2022. It’s been a great year with some exciting projects and new developments we have continued to work with great people in our community. Thanks for the continual support and confidence.

Our workshop is operating during the holidays for all your repair needs. Open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm

2023

Concrete Supply Yard

Closed from 5pm Friday 23rd December, 2022

Open from 9th of January, 2023 for small domestic deliveries

Open on 16th of January for all deliveries and requirements

Landscape Supply Yard

Closed from 10am Friday 23rd December, 2022

Open from 7am Monday 16th January, 2023

ACL Workshop (Ashburton & Timaru)

Closed from 10am Friday 23rd December, 2022