The new traffic signals at the Walnut Avenue intersections were turned on last night.
Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said it had been a long wait, but worth if for major improvements.
“The changes made at the intersections will make a huge difference to the Ashburton community.”
He said it was a complex project and thanked the community for its patience during the upgrade.
The Walnut Avenue project had two roundabouts at the intersections of West Street (SH1) and East Street with Walnut Avenue replaced with traffic lights, upgrades to the railway level crossing, and walking and biking facilities improved.
Waka Kotahi’s James Caygill said the changes to the intersections “are pretty profound”.
“Along with improving safety and reducing delays, which I’m sure have been even worse during the construction period because that’s the nature of the disruption with construction, these intersections will make it easier for larger vehicles,” Caygill said.
It will also provide a safe pathway for children to get to school – encouraging more of them to walk, scoot or bike, he said.
Some minor landscaping works are still to be completed.
During the site blessing, Te Runanga o Arowhenua’s Te Wera King took the opportunity to remind the dignitaries of the need for Ashburton’s second bridge
While one project completion was being celebrated, another was breaking ground as a sod-turning marked the start of a new Fairfield Freight Hub at Fairton.
The $14 million project is a commercial development between the Wareing Group
and KiwiRail which is supported by the Government contributing $2.5m through Waka Kotahi’s NZ Upgrade Programme, and the Ashburton District Council.
The project will see the current freight site in the centre of Ashburton shifted north out of town to Wareing Group’s new Fairfield Freight Hub before the end of 2023.
Wood said the move will reduce road congestion and enable KiwiRail to grow its freight volumes in the area from about 6000 containers a year currently to 20,000, over
the next decade as well as remove the need for around 40,000 truck trips on local roads each year.
“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”
fronting television story about her upbringing, which revealed details of domestic violence at the hands of her mother’s former partner and Tui’s own suicide attempt when she was 11.
Ashburton book fans have jumped on the Ruby Tui autobiography Straight Up, with copies of the popular Black Ferns’ rugby star’s story almost sold out locally.
It is the hottest book in New Zealand, selling out at many of the busiest bookstores in the country, so demand in Ashburton is probably no surprise.
The book has been a beneficiary of Tui’s and the Blacks Ferns’ new-found national interest after winning the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Ashburton Paper Plus salesperson Norma Geddes said 35 copies
had been sold this month, with the store expecting more to arrive any day now to meet the demand.
“And 35 is actually quite a lot for a town like Ashburton,” Ged-
des said.
Geddes said the book had clearly benefited from Tui’s recent success and increased coverage. That included a con-
Whitcoulls had experienced similar sales success, with 20 copies being sold since last Saturday’s final. The Warehouse in Ashburton had also seen a pickup in sales post the final, with 10 sold.
And the Tui story hasn’t just appealed to women, Geddes said.
“A lot of women have been buying the book, but I think a lot of women have been buying the book for their men as well,” she said.
Geddes said the book had even matched the sale numbers of popular author Lee Child’s new book, No Plan B.
“For an autobiography, it is selling really well.”
What: The Guardian has a copy of the sought-after book from Black Ferns’ rugby star Ruby Tui to give away.
How: Go to the Guardian’s Facebook page and send us a photo of yourself, displaying your best supportive, cheering, being loud and proud like Tui rugby fan face on.Daniel Alvey Celebrating the completion of the Walnut Avenue Upgrade project were representatives from the Ashburton District Council, Waka Kotahi, KiwiRail, Te Runanga o Arowhenua, Fulton Hogan, Beca and students from Ashburton Intermediate. PHOTO JONATHAN LEASK/LDR
Basking in the glory of the Black Ferns Women’s Rugby World Cup victory, Mid Canterbury rugby boss Tanya Dearns couldn’t help but feel a little selfish.
Because while the clearly evident euphoria around the country in the wake of the stunning final victory against England was captivating in the moment, Dearns was also fully aware of the positive impact that is set to come in the future from the result as well.
There are benefits to be had and gains to be made. And Dearns, as Mid Canterbury Rugby’s CEO, can’t wait to get to work. The impact from the result is that now, more than ever, women across New Zealand are captivated by the game of rugby. They can see a pathway and an opportunity and it’s no longer just about the male equivalent and what they achieve.
And harnessing that enthusi-
asm and energy has been high on the agenda at the Mid Canterbury Rugby Union offices this week.
“I think you’d be silly to not think there were opportunities to come from this in terms of growth for the women’s game locally and around the country,’’ Dearns said.
“We’ve already made so many great steps forward over the past 12 months in the women’s space that I think this particular result, and the emotion that has come with it, is only going to enhance that work further.
“I believe it will create a lot more enquiries and expressions of interest. In the past, those women might have been unsure, but the visibility in the women’s game right now will hopefully make it clear for them.”
While nothing drastic was in the works this week after the World Cup victory, Dearns did suggest that the win served as even greater inspiration to continue what is being done.
This year alone they’ve seen a notable rise in the number of young girls and teenagers keen to take up the game and work their way through the courses and programmes on offer. With real em-
phasis being placed on the representative side of the game with the Mid Canterbury women’s team competing in the Heartland 10s competition as well, the groundwork is already there and now is a chance to make great things happen.
“We’ve introduced some great programmes this year that have seen numbers grow across the board in the women’s game –now the challenge is to grow those even more while retaining the existing numbers as well.
“The feedback we’ve had from the clubs about the young girls playing, who have come through the programmes we’ve run, has been very encouraging for the future, I think.”
Due to this year’s rugby season coming to an end, there’s no opportunity to act immediately, but Dearns said it gives them more time to get prepared.
“We’ve got three or four months now to make sure we have everything exactly how we want it which is a great bonus.”
Rakaia Community Association chairman Neil Pluck says common sense has prevailed with Waka Kotahi proposing to reduce the State Highway 1 speed limit through the township.
Waka Kotahi is proposing sweeping speed limit reductions on state highways around the country, including three locations in Mid Canterbury.
The speed limit through the Rakaia township on SH1 may be reduced from 70kph to 50kph, something the community has been requesting for years, Pluck said.
“It’s been obvious for a decade.
“We have taken any and every opportunity to request a speed reduction and any other measures to make it as safe as possible.’’
Traffic volumes have continued to rise, making it increasingly hazardous for locals to get across the highway, he said.
“The community is thrilled to finally get this result.”
Ashburton District councillor Lynette Lovett said she’s been “fighting long and hard since my first term” with the Rakaia com-
Mid Canterbury changes:
1: Rakaia Township SH1: 70kph down to 50kph
munity for a speed reduction.
“There are so many crashes and near misses so it’s great news.”
From the township heading north, there are more changes proposed with SH1 across the Rakaia Bridge and up to Weavers Road to be reduced to 80kph.
There’s also the proposed ad-
2: Methven Township Ōpuke Thermal Pools SH77: 100kph down to 80kph
As a Methven resident, McMillan has been part of a community campaign calling for a speed reduction on the northern approach to the town where the hot pools and two new subdivisions now reside.
They were asking for the 50kph zone to be extended and it is likely that request will be echoed in submissions on Waka Kotahi’s proposal.
dition of variable 60kph speed zones at the intersections with North Rakaia Road and Weavers Road – the two proposed sites of the weigh stations.
In Methven, the SH77 stretch from Racecourse Road past the Ōpuke Thermal Pools is proposed to drop to 80kph.
“It’s what we have been asking for,” said deputy mayor Liz McMillan, who is also chairperson of the Ashburton District road safety co-ordinating committee.
“Any reduction is good, and with the new pathway going in along there soon it will be much safer.”
At the other end of town, it is a proposed 30kph variable speed zone along the corridor encompassing Methven Primary School, Mount Hutt College, and Our Lady of the Snows primary school.
The third location in the district is a proposed 30kph variable speed limit area along SH77 outside Ashburton Borough School. If confirmed, the changes would be implemented next year.
The Ashburton District Council is set to hear the submissions on its own interim speed management plan just as Waka Kotahi’s announced its aims for state highways.
A total of 82 submissions were received on the council’s draft interim speed management plan,
with 10 submitters set to speak on their submission at a hearing next week.
Everything proposed in the plan has been designed to align with the new national land transport rule, according to the council’s group manager strategy and compliance, Jane Donaldson.
“It’s also pleasing to see that Waka Kotahi’s proposed changes include areas that have been of significant concern to our community,’’ she said.
“We’d encourage all our residents to take a look at what’s proposed and provide their feedback to Waka Kotahi.”
Waka Kotahi’s proposed speed changes will affect just over 500km of state highway in 440 locations, around 4 per cent of the 11,000km state highway network.
that will be great, and if I can walk as far as I can without falling over, we’ll be right.”
During the four hour period Ellis managed to clock up 19.25km of his 60km total and so far has raised almost $700.
promotion.
The 60km challenge represents the 60 men globally that fall victim to suicide every hour.
Since Ellis already had a moustache, he chose the physical challenge as his Movember
blood cancer.
Ellis, as a member of our emergency service, knows firsthand the importance of mental health.
Labour shortages. Two words that are making life challenging to say the least for Mid Canterbury businesses.
That’s the word from Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce Mid Canterbury business advisor Jason MacRae after predictable survey results emerged.
That survey of Canterbury-wide, and not just Mid Canterbury businesses, emphasised the gloomy employment market challenges.
Rakaia School principal and volunteer firefighter Mark Ellis hopes his efforts for Movember will encourage people to start conversations about mental health.
Ellis has even taken on the challenge to walk 60km in November – while in full firefighter gear.
He spent an afternoon this week working on a treadmill outside the EA Networks Centre to get ready.
“If I can make a bit of money
Every November, men globally are encouraged to get behind the Movember campaign, which raises money to support their mental health and they usually grow a moustache as part of the
contribution.
And it won’t be the first time he has suited up for charity, having taken on the annual Sky Tower Firefighter Climbing Challenge six times to raise money for
“In the fire brigade, they are taking a very positive (stance) in supporting the mental health of firefighters.”
For Ellis, if everyone takes time to understand each other and listen before drawing conclusions then we may be able to help some people.
“A bit of listening, a bit of understanding, a bit of empathy goes a long way.
“People are people, things happen to people, and actually we know that tragedy seems to make changes, but why should we have to wait for that to happen.”
“Labour market shortages and cost pressures remain two of the biggest concerns within the Mid Canterbury region, based on our engagement with local businesses,” MacRae said.
While that all sounds like bad news, MacRae said there was some good news in the agriculture sector in terms of a promising harvest.
“However, with expectations that the weather ahead will be drier than last year, confidence in production for many within our primary industries, the backbone of our regional economy, has improved.”
It’s a noxious, invasive grass that’s caused major issues in droughtprone grassland areas like Mid Canterbury for decades but now there’s hope for famers battling the weed.
That hope for nassella tussock, which has dodged eradication for over a century and has the dubious claim of being the only weed in New Zealand to have its own Act of Parliament, comes in the form of a website application.
Scientist Graeme Bourdôt, who spent decades researching nassella tussock, said a new free app developed by AgResearch, in collaboration with Environment Canterbury, was available to help farmers and regional councils manage the weed.
“The nassella tussock app draws on years of research into how nassella tussock plants grow and contribute to the population growth of the weed in dryland sheep and cattle pastures,” he said.
“It allows the user to see how different frequencies, intensities, and seasons of grubbing will affect the future number of nassella tussock plants on a block of land and on a neighbouring block of land.”
The app would count the number of plants in summer and winter in each of its seven different life stages, with the total tussock population over a number of years kept track of.
Until now, although control programmes had reduced the plant’s population, eradication remained elusive, especially as the tussock was inedible to livestock. It was first recognised as a problem in the 1940s and 1950s, particularly in North Canterbury and Marlborough, and forced some farmers to abandon their properties because it took over their land by smothering other
Since when: Nassella was first recognised as a problem in the 1940s and 1950s, particularly in North Canterbury and Marlborough.
It even forced some farmers off their land.
Now: A free app has been developed by agricultural scientists for help farmers keep on top of it.
Finding the app: https:// nassella-tussockpopulation-model-nz. agresearch.co.nz
palatable pasture and forcing stock to overgraze what was left.
Environment Canterbury biosecurity officer Matt Smith said the app was a great way for farm-
ers to design different control methods on their properties, but yearly grubbing (digging out) was the best way to decrease or maintain plant numbers.
Local fans of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be in for a treat in Ashburton tomorrow with a question-and-answer session taking place with a performer from the show.
She’s internationally acclaimed opera singer Marla Kavanaugh, who will make a special guest appearance at the Regent Cinema after the screening of the movie Voices, which is about the 2022 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
The tattoo made its highly anticipated return to Edinburgh Castle this year after it was cancelled in 2021 and 2020 because of Covid-19.
Kavanaugh, who is in Ashburton visiting family, performed at the event as part of the Highland Divas operatic trio.
She will talk about that experience and answer questions from the audience tomorrow at the conclusion of the 4pm session of Voices at the cinema.
“This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear a performer’s perspective,’’ Regent Cinema’s Donna Favel said.
But fans better be quick because Regent Cinema is restricted to screening The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Voices movie for just two days – today and tomorrow.
There will be screenings at 2.10pm and 4pm each day, with bookings recommended.
nassella is especially prevalent along the east coasts of both islands, but with Marlborough and wider Canterbury the hardest hit.
What: Nassella is a noxious grass that’s caused major issues in drought-prone areas like Mid Canterbury.NASTY NASSELLA Jayden Glencoe attacking nassella tussock in the Hurunui hill country.
The farm received cattle from an infected property within that isolated restricted notice area, but Andrew said that movement would have happened prior to when the CAN was set up on October 13.
monia, arthritis, and late-term abortions, is mostly spread through movement of cattle from farm to farm and via close contact and bodily fluids like mucus and milking equipment.
Confirmation of a further cattle disease-infected dairy farm in Mid Canterbury is not causing concern for the Government’s controlling agency.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) mycoplasma bovis programme director, Simon Andrew, said finding another positive property – the sixth – was not unexpected, even though it came from a farm outside the Controlled Area Notice (CAN) zone.
The Wakanui area itself was the only place in New Zealand where there were infected M.bovis properties.
“ We’ve picked this up as part of our surveillance and also through our traceability efforts as well,’’ Andrew said.
“It highlights the importance of having that controlled area notice in place now and to continue to take that precautionary approach.’’
The disease, which can cause a range of serious conditions in cattle, including mastitis, pneu-
Andrew suggested MPI expected to find more infected properties as they continued its vigilant detection efforts.
“And the programme expects that the six currently infected properties will be cleared by early next year.’’
Cleared means depopulated, with cattle slaughtered. Then all six farms, including the massive Anzco Foods’ Wakanui feedlot, would be sanitised and cleaned from top to bottom by January.
The depopulation process had started at the feedlot, which at its peak houses up to 12,000
cattle to be fattened up to reach slaughter weight.
Andrew said he and his team continued to have “high levels of confidence’’ that they have got M.bovis contained.
“We will continue with our testing and tracing, and we will continue to do that for some time,’’ he said.
“We are trying to look for the disease so that we can complete what we call the de-limiting phase.
“That’s finding the last pockets of infection. That will enable us to go into a long-term surveillance programme to prove absence of the disease.’’
He said it was important to remember that MPI was four years into its 10-year eradication programme, but it must continue to
work hard.
“Along with the commitment of farmers, industry, and rural communities, we remain on track to be the first country in the world to eradicate M.bovis,’’ he said.
One of the focuses now was actually offering mental health support to farmers from those infected properties.
Andrew said it was “tough’’ for them having their herds slaughtered.
“That’s why it’s really important that we’ve got partnerships with the Rural Support Trust to ensure farmers have got access to support,’’ he said.
“We’ve also a number of staff based in Christchurch and Ashburton itself to support farmers during that time.’’
One million dollars in Government funding for the Mid Canterbury Catchment Collective will allow the organisation to support to local catchment groups, says its chairman Duncan Barr.
The newly established MCCC has been awarded the funding from Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) to help catchment communities work together to improve environmental issues, including water quality, biodiversity, and soil health.
The MPI funding would allow it to support Mid Canterbury’s commitment to catchment groups.
“We’ve developed a framework from an inside-the-farm gate perspective, which looks at water, biodiversity, soil, people, and greenhouse gases,” Barr said.
The funding would run until June 2025,
with $950,000 committed to supporting Mid Canterbury to establish a framework.
Since becoming an incorporated society in December 2021, MCCC had seen an exponential increase in enquiries and interest from rural groups.
“ We anticipate new catchment groups as things evolve,’’ Barr said.
“It’s exciting how our community is getting together to create this change.’’
In March, MCCC also received $30,000 funding from the Ashburton water zone committee for a co-ordinator, with Hinds’ communicator, Angela Cushnie, appointed to the inaugural role.
Cushnie grew up in the Hinds area and said water quality had become a concern for Mid Canterbury residents over the course of her lifetime.
Do you want to increase your revenue and attract more customers quickly? en come talk to us about the rock star success that is the Guardian’s Facebook page. It’s got close to 16,000 followers, which is so far ahead of other media and marketing business wannabes in Ashburton, that it’s not even funny.
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at’s been proven by being accepted on to a Facebook international programme where we are working with global online sales and marketing experts.
Our aim? To help Ashburton businesses ourish and earn more money. In a way, we’re o ering another shop local campaign but this time it’s online. If that sounds like a bit of you, then get in touch. e biggest Facebook audience in Ashburton – and more money and success for your business – is just a click away.
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Iwish I could grow a moustache, but I can’t and thus Movember is out for me.
When I say I wish I could grow one but can’t it’s not because I’m follicly challenged. It’s more because if I left just a bit of crumb catcher up on my upper lip, I’d probably be looking for new lodgings for the month as well as a new partner.
It’s much the same as shaving my lid for a kid. The resident hairdresser at home knows that my head is an odd shape and the prospect of having to look at said nightmare cranium has resulted in a firm negative every time I’ve suggested it.
But just because you can’t do something, doesn’t mean you can’t do something – as local school principal and volunteer firefighter Mark Ellis has shown us this month.
Mr Ellis, and I refer to him as
that because I still see hundreds of children running around Rakaia School doing the same, doesn’t need to grow a moustache. There’s one already there. But he’s not letting that stop him from getting out and getting behind the Movember cause.
He’s out pounding the pavements, the stairmaster and anything else he can get his legs to move on in an effort to draw attention to and raise funds for a worthy cause.
And he’s doing it in full firefighter outfit too. Just for good measure.
It’s Kiwi ingenuity at its best.
Can’t do something specific? Find another way to make it work. And we could all do with a little bit more of that in life right now, I reckon.
would seem. And that’s causing a need for adaptation in many homes across the district – even in my own.
I craved a pasta the other day.
Things are tough. But there’s always a way. It’s just often a case of thinking outside the box and playing to your strengths.
Things are tough, at least so I keep getting told, and it’s not fair the way life is panning out in some sectors. Some of it’s simple, some of it not so much. But there’s always a way. It’s just often a case of thinking outside the box and playing to your strengths.
The financial burn is hurting more than anything else it
Like a really good pasta with all the good stuff.
Upon searching and locating what’s required to make such a feast I discovered the overall cost was near borderline a week’s worth of rent and thus not worth it even despite my desires. So, I adapted. Did something different and didn’t let limitations or restrictions hold
me back.
I grabbed a packet of two-minute noodles, a tin of tuna and a bit of sauce and hey presto – a meal fit for entry on MasterChef. Well, at least I’d like to think it was television worthy.
That’s not quite the same as realising growing a moustache when you’ve already got one is a futile attempt and doing something else instead, I know. But the thought process is the same, is it not?
Don’t be afraid to try something different if you find a roadblock in your way.
The human race has been met with obstacles at every turn since our inception and we’ve only made it this far by being resilient, forward-thinking and willing to step outside of the norm and do something else.
Be like Mark Ellis, he’s got it sorted.
I’ve just turned 53 and have, since turning 50, been nagging my children for grandchildren.
Not only have I harassed my children to give me grand-babies, but anyone of childbearing age.
My young friend Eden Crowley came to the party and popped a couple out. She and husband Conor have given me the privilege of sharing Miss 6 and Mr 3 with their REAL grandparents.
I’ve known these Mid Canterbury country kids since their births, but I have never looked after them both at the same time.
It’s seriously taking me all week to recover. I’m a shattered shell of a person. And my daughter Libby, who also partakes in the “spoil and enjoy the Crowley kids” days was a tired 23-year-old.
Come Monday morning I headed back to work after a week off more fried than I’d been before I left and I only had the kids on Friday and Saturday. What the hell, I know I’m on the chonky side and unfit, but I didn’t quite know how exhausting I’d find them.
Here’s some things I learned about the differences between parenting and ‘grandparenting’:
- It’s only funny to load children up on sugar when they’re just about to go back to their parents. I no longer have the energy for sugar-hyped demons.
- When you take them to the supermarket to pick their own dinner, know that all the food will be beige (eg, chicken nuggets and chips). The salad I bought to go with it has long since packed a sad and given up on life. My own kids got: “Eat your veges or go hungry.”
- They will manipulate you into submission with a cute smile and flutter of long lashes and you will be powerless. Whereas my own kids would’ve left me unmoved because I knew what they were up to.
- You will spoil them because you can. My kids got: “Ask Santa if you want that.” (When they were older kids it was: “Get a job and pay for it yourself.”) To me grandparenting means I won’t hesitate to buy their love.
So the weekend itinerary looked something like this: Saturday:
- Trip to the supermarket for the beige food and for the Lego freebies. (I’m tired already)
- A policeman friend visits in his cool uniform and car and Miss 6 regaled him with how naughty her mum was when she’s driving. Whoops.
- Three-year-old needs help wiping his butt. SHIT, it’s been years since I’ve done that, what if I gag or pass out and traumatise the wee fella.
- Off to my bestie’s house in the country with miniature horses, dachshunds, ducks and geese and a big fat hen who’s trying to raise some pekin ducklings. She clucks along the edge of the pond stressing when they get on the water … I know the feeling.
While there they got to ride a wee horse and a ride-on lawnmower. Miss 6 had a stranglehold on a dachshund puppy as she carted it around the lounge, while Mr 3 decided to have a running race with the
rest of them. Something like eight dogs.
They were not all that keen on children, not being used to them, so were not actually being friendly and playful like he thought. When a couple of them decided to bark a little fiercely at him, I turned around in time to see him trying to simultaneously run and aim a chubby-legged kick at a dog.
It was our first run-in of the day. I had to tell him off and the look he gave me struck genuine fear in my heart and then about 5.3 seconds later he patted my hand and said: “Don’t worry, you’re still good,” with an earnest look in his big blue eyes.
It’s not easy to make my ice-cold and weary heart melt any, but that moment made it a puddle on the floor.
BEDTIME OMG BEDTIME.
We popped them in a big double room to share a queen bed and then started the whispering, swearing, giggling, fighting and tantys . . . sometimes all at once.
One of them smacked the other across the nose and the other pinched an arm, so there were also tears.
I won’t go into the multiple methods we tried to get them to sleep, but in the end, Libby
went into the room and lay down on the floor, threatening to stay there until they were asleep. That worked.
Sunday:
- We were forgiven for getting stern about bedtime and even got a lot of “I love yous” from Mr 3 … said so sweetly that again my heart gave out.
- A mad rush to clean up and repack gear so we could head off to Timaru’s Chipmunks. In the mad rush we forgot Miss 6’s EpiPen and that had Miss 23 hyperventilating and worried.
I’d also forgotten about the ole “Are we there yet” commentary with younger kids. But I did remember the stock standard response: “Nearly”. We made it, but after about an hour at Chipmunks, Mr 3 waltzes up to a big male stranger and asks for one of four slushies that are sitting on the table. At that stage I’ve stopped breathing and am wondering if Chipmunks has a ventilator.
But the absolute best part of that story was that you could not call Mr 3 selfish. He deposited said slushy at our table and then went up and asked for another for his sister, which the man duly gave him.
He sat back down at our table and had a big drink out of the second slushie, as Libby and I sat frozen in place not sure where to look. But he did . . . he looked at the slushie, looked at us and promptly put the slushie he’d drunk out of on the table for his sister.
When we left Chipmunks, after trying a couple of times to reimburse the family for the icy drinks, we had two exhausted kids in the car.
Miss 6 promptly fell asleep while Mr 3 was too busy making me stop the car to pee on the side of the road every five seconds.
You know what though, it reminded me how lucky you are and special it is to have kids who want to be around you.
They made me laugh, made me frustrated, made me gooey and entertained me non-stop. Have a great time with your real grandparents in Ireland my wee darlings.
PS: To my children. I no longer want grandchildren. Keep it wrapped.
This week the Ashburton Anglican Parish welcomes a new leader – Indrea, the vicar, and her husband Neville. How blessed are we!
They are God’s gift to us as church and community – exciting and refreshing as they bring newness and their special faith and gifts to join with ours . . . as we all grow in
Some years ago a mate who was going through some pretty hard times commented that the good thing about going through a shite patch was that every day you got closer to the honey again.
Not a bad outlook and something I reflected on yesterday as I was thinking about this column.
It seems deserving to Ashburtonians that after several years of muck, mayhem, road cones and viral pestilance, that we are continuing to see the flowering of a new dawn.
Having knocked off a couple of items on the grandies’ Christmas present list at the new River Crossing development, I returned to the car remembering that just a few short years ago that entire high profile site was a fairly unattractive, tired transport yard.
Next to Paper Plus, the boxings come off the footings of the new development there, DPI have freshened up in their new digs around in Moore Street, the new Civic complex continues to develop inside its Baring Square East cocoon, soon to unfold into a spectacular new seat of local body power.
The East West Walnut rail and road crossing was poised to reopen at the time of writing, and out on northern fringes, on the racecourse corner, Cochranes are excited about a new machinery showroom complex on which work has started and going by the associated impression displayed on site, I can share in manager Graeme “Pup” Moore’s enthusiasm that’s it’s going to look pretty damn smart.
Cafes abound, with more coming on stream, the Triangle development which I call “The Precinct” (feel free to nick that Justin) is improving all the time, the redeveloped CBD is looking amazing, especially at night. And a wee birdie tells me that the new ADC Events guru Sarah Davidson has a few surprises up her sleeve in time for Christmas.
Up toward The Warehouse, Kermode Street is getting additional retail, and the old Bunnings continues to transition with Farmlands new store recently opened.
Tinwald has had a few new tricks too. The new big blue gas station, the tasteful upgrade of what is now Morrison Motors, and even Lushingtons, pur veyors of fine plants to the discerning, have added an electronic changing sign on their big pole out front !
Pete Gluyas will no doubt be keen to get the latest project for the Gluyas Motor Group sorted. He’s expanding one of his franchises on the other side of the corner.
The old Couplands bakery building which I can remember as Millers back in the 60s, is currently under demolition to make way for that.
Heather Stewart CHRISTIAN COMMENTour relationship with God.
Advent is a time when we focus on how God broke into history over 2000 years ago –
and things have never been the same since then.
I’ve heard the birth of Jesus, God as a tiny vulnerable baby, described as an unimaginable invasion of holiness.
This coming Sunday, the Sunday before Advent, is still called Stir-up Sunday in some places, throughout the world.
It’s not only a time to make the Christmas cakes, but also a
time to ask God to enliven us all, stir us up.
Jesus said I have come that you may have life in all its fullness.
Wow! Let’s aim for that. Let’s be open to being both shaken and stirred this Advent.
In fact, as I drove past there yesterday, I reckon I could see a couple of old sausage rolls lying in the rubble.
If you’re quick . . .
Broadcaster Peter Mac is Ashburton born and bred and the afternoon host on the Hokonui Radio Network. The views expressed in this column are his and do not reflect the opinion of his employer or the Ashburton Guardian.
Unleash your own sense of spring fever and embrace the elements around Rotorua.
The thrills are free on the lakefront boardwalk, a stirringly fresh development which has just been completed. There are some truly beautiful touches, like the lookalike silica terraces that cascade down to the water’s edge. Your kids will be enraptured with the colossal new playground, too.
Another recent addition to the outdoorsy arsenal of attractions is the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop, a 33km trail through the soothing finery of the forest’s tall timbers and tree ferns, underpinned by those famed pumice soils, with mud pools bubbling alongside the track.
With a spooling reel of ups and
downs, runs, flats, berms and hairpins, this exhilarating new addition to Rotorua’s treasury of world-class bike trails is a banner attraction.
The climax is an eagle’s view across to Lake Rotorua. Accentuating the atmosphere, you’ll love the collection of five sublime Māori art installations, including a piece crafted from a 10-tonne rock that was thrust into the forest by nature’s fury, during Tarawera’s 1886 eruption.
Most of the trail is classified grade 2 with some grade 3 sections. Make lighter work of it by knocking off the entire loop on an e-bike, in under three hours.
Alternatively, grab a trail map and you’ll see the loop is like a roundabout with multiple entry and exit points, so it’s easy to do
a distilled version of it. Mountain Bike Rotorua offers bike hire from the start/end of the trail at Waipa, including e-bike rentals.
For a complete change of scenery, I headed to the northern side of Lake Rotorua, to surrender to the enchanting beauty of Hamurana Springs Nature Reserve. The magical walk threads you through a stately grove of century-old redwood trees, flanked by the Hamurana Stream, a bewitching body of crystal-clear water, cast in vivid hues of emerald and turquoise.
The climax of the walk is the lookout platform, gazing down on the deepest natural fresh water spring in the North Island, Te Puna-a-Hangarua. The water for the springs and stream actually originates from the Mamaku Plateau. It takes about 70 years for the water
to make its way through underground aquifers before resurfacing at the spring. From here, it flows into Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti before plunging down the Okere Falls in the Kaituna River, making its way to Maketu and emptying into the Pacific Ocean. What a journey!
Speaking of Lake Rotorua’s neighbouring sibling, Lake Rotoiti was my next stop. The prized real estate perched around this languid body of water at Okawa Bay sells at seriously eye-wincing prices. Before hitting the water, I caught up with Matt Horder, the industrious brains behind Pure Cruise and Rotoiti Water Shuttles.
A very fond and familiar sight on this lake has been Matt’s luxury catamaran, Tiua. Sailing her to New Zealand from the Caribbean, Tiua has been available for luxury
charters on Lake Rotoiti for the past 13 years. But Matt has decided to change it up and for the past 18 months, he’s been beavering away on an exciting project that is coming to fruition. His new vessel under construction is called Project Airstream, inspired by a decade of feedback from Pure Cruise’s clients and crew.
The Pure Cruise team have conceived, designed and are hand building a nine-metre long pontoon vessel with electric drive. Its shape, form and finish has drawn inspiration from vintage 1960s’ Airstream trailers, World War Two aircraft and luxury Italian speed boats. The shiny exterior looks like polished aluminium Airstream, while
side windows. Seating 24 guests, you’ll bask in plush leather, with high gloss native timber tables and ceiling detail. There are ingenious touches, like how the sides of the vessel are able to be lowered and locked in place by rotating couches, forming a swim platform, and sunny lunch perch on both sides of the boat.
Can you imagine a dreamier way to drift through the secluded bays of Lake Rotoiti? I can’t. This silent running, floating work of art is set to be launched later this spring. Standby for Rotorua’s new summer sensation.
Few places can beat the lakefront splendour of Rotoiti’s Hot Pools at Manupirua Springs. This secluded geothermal paradise is accessible only by boat or floatplane. The eastern shores of Lake
Rotoiti have geothermal activity beneath them and are home to numerous hot sulphur springs including the Manupirua thermal springs, which feed the hot pools.
Māori and local settlers have been using these springs for bathing since 1849, becoming a commercial venture in 1914. This is off-the-beaten-track bathing in excelsis.
Soak in any of the eight hot pools, whizz down the slide and into the lake to cool off, paddle in the hot water beach, or grab a snack from the café.
My Rotorua basecamp was the Sudima Lake Rotorua, which has all the facilities and features you’d expect from a Qualmark 4-star hotel, including a heated pool and kid zone, plus a cracking buffet breakfast.
What: The tourism town of Rotorua. Direct flights from Christchurch.
What stood out: The fresh additions to the visitor offerings, including the Whakarewarewa Forest Loop – NZ’s latest Great Ride.
What could be better: Undeniably, the morphing of motel accommodation into mass-emergency housing on Fenton Street has adversely impacted on Rotorua’s reputation as a premier tourism destination.
Good destination for: Family holidays, with
a wide array of attractions for lovers of the outdoors and culture.
Best food: Anywhere on Eat Street. Do the kids deserve a treat? Take them to Marshmallow Sweet Treats. Their legendary Pinky Slice, a chocolate and marshmallow concoction, is a holiday memory in your mouth.
Best excursion: Take a ride across beautiful Lake Rotoiti to the Manupirua Hot Springs. They are my top-favourite geothermal hot pools in Aotearoa.
Rating out of 10: 8
hite Ribbon group has flipped the script with its latest anti-domestic violence campaign.”
Instead of “boys will be boys,” it says the slogan should be “boys will be respectful”.
Manager Rob McCann says family violence is connected to rigid ideas from the 1950s about masculinity which say men must appear dominant, be tough, be in charge, be promiscuous, drink lots and not show emotions.
White Ribbon has developed an online toolbox to help men address these issues.
“Many, many cultures right throughout the world have allowed that perception that men are supposed to be the warriors, the providers, the tough ones. That’s something all of us in Aotearoa need to look at and say ‘actually there are a bunch of other things young men should be – they should be kind, caring, considerate, compassionate’,” McCann says.
He says when he grew up the All Blacks that inspired him where the ones who broke their arms and kept playing, but at the weekend we saw the Silver Ferns flip the script with real people playing, showing real emotions and talking in a human way.
To Ashburton’s Anna Arrowsmith it’s simple. It’s time for the Government to step up even more in the violence against women space.
Arrowsmith, Safer Mid Canterbury’s families’ co-ordinator, wants to see more Government support to help prevent violence before it happened or at least to offer education for offenders to stop them reoffending.
It’s an aim that connects perfectly with the White Ribbon campaign day on November 25, which annually celebrates men willing to show leadership and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families, especially involving women. The campaign also wants men to challenge each other on attitudes and behaviour that are abusive.
Part of the day is to encourage people to wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women, but Arrowsmith wants more central Government involvement to make change.
“I think that we are really lacking programmes for men in the prevention space,’’ Arrowsmith said.
“We have lost a lot of services which used to support men, which has made it so much worse.
“What we see as a missing link is the perpetrator stuff, so let’s work with the men because they are a huge part of the solution.”
On average, the police attended a family harm incident every four minutes in New Zealand, while a third of women are sexually assaulted by a partner or an ex at some
point in their lives.
Those were the stats that the White Ribbon organisation was trying to change, with local campaign manager Arrowsmith having seen the chaotic aftermath of family harm incidents.
“Family harm is so complex, it has so many dynamics to it,” Arrowsmith said.
“Within my role, I’ve worked with women around safety.
“I do a lot of work with men around getting them to stop using violence. Men actually want to stop using violence.”
But Arrowsmith has also worked a lot with children, who have seen family violence. This year, it was all about flipping the White Ribbon script and getting rid of the
boys will be boys slogan, replacing it with boys will be the men we teach them to be.
“The campaigns change every year. This year is looking at the next generation to come,” Arrowsmith said.
“We don’t want to keep trapping men in a box of the stereotypical man. A lot of the boys will be boys stuff is just an excuse for bad behaviour.”
Arrowsmith said some men still had outdated beliefs that they couldn’t show emotion and that they must be strong and not cry. But those concepts actually encouraged men to be more violent because they were afraid to be vulnerable.
“It’s okay to be strong, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of opening up.”
National’s Rangitata MP candidate James Meager knows all about family violence issues – but now he’s part of the solution and a big supporter of the White Ribbon campaign.
Meager grew up in a Timaru state house with the Road Knights motorcycle gang around the corner and cousins in the Mongrel Mob.
“One of my earliest memories is being encouraged from under my bed by a police officer after a family harm incident,’’ Meager said.
He believes that living in that environment could have led him down some dark paths
“I guess I was pretty fortunate I was in a situation that didn’t.’’
Meager became involved in the Safer Families Mid Canterbury White Ribbon campaign after visiting the team with
National MP Matt Doocey and speaking about mental health services. He also spoke at a fundraising quiz night to raise funds for the November 25 day where people are encouraged to wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women.
“I think it is important that prominent members of the community step up and involve themselves in these initiatives,” he said. “It helps when people see them open up and be a bit vulnerable.”
Meager thinks even for his generation – mid-30s – there are still some lessons to be learned, that also need to be passed on to our kids.
“I think we still grew in that harden-up culture and keep your emotions to yourself, which is now changing with today’s youth.”
Meager also said those living and
working in rural communities often faced different challenges because many homes were workplaces too.
“Being a rural community, households face different pressures. Your home is your workplace and it is not as though you’re stressed at work and you can leave that at the door. It’s everywhere.
“Our rural challenges may not be as easily seen because it is hard to see a neighbour in distress because you are not peering over the fence.”
Meager said it was never too late for men to break that violence struggle.
“If you are of an older generation and think it’s too late to change it never is because you could be an inspiration for your children or grandchildren.
“If they can see an older relative change, that is inspiration and reason for them to change.”
25 – LET’S START FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
Rangitata National candidate, James Meager, hopes that by sharing his story of family violence it will encourage others to change.
It’s an international day on November 25 when people can wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women.
It was started by a men’s movement in Canada in 1991 after the brutal mass shooting two years earlier saw 14 women killed. The campaign has now been officially adopted by the United Nations as its International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The White Ribbon campaign, introduced to New Zealand in 2004 by the United Nations Development Fund for Women, celebrates the many men willing to show leadership and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families.
It also encourages men to challenge each other on attitudes and behaviour that are abusive, and statistics show it is needed.
Those stats show that most violence by men against women takes place in the home, with an average of 14 women a year
ew Zealand’s White Ribbon campaign. What is it?killed by their partners or ex-partners. Each year, there were also over 3500 convictions recorded against men for assaults on women and one in five women will experience sexual assault or sexual interference at some point in their lives.
New Zealand’s White Ribbon campaign has activities throughout the calendar year, with an increased focus in November. Events and activities are increasingly supported by businesses, cultural groups, sporting teams, local government and a wide range of community and government agencies.
The White Ribbon Riders, who are motorcycle lovers, get on their bikes each year to share stories and inspire change among men.
Motorbike groups can be loud and proud, but one group is using their noise for good.
They’re the White Ribbon Riders, a motorbike group that heads out to promote what White Ribbon does and helps support organisations as much as they can.
This year groups from both the North and South islands are touring throughout November to promote the White Ribbon campaign and to promote and spread the non-violence message. It’s an initiative where riders, who look rough and ride powerful bikes, talk about healthy masculinity and solutions to tackling this country’s crippling domestic violence record.
As part of the South Island tour, they’ll be parked up at the Ashburton Motorcycle Show today.
White Ribbon Riders’ spokesman, Rob McCann, said it was by coincidence that they arrived in Ashburton at the same time as the bike show.
“I’d love to say it was planned, but sometimes the dice just rolls perfectly,” McCann said.
He said Ashburton would be one of many highlights on the ride, which would take them on a two-week tour that started in Christchurch last weekend, with the Ashburton stop marking the halfway point.
The group has been promoting their safer community message for the past decade.
“The White Ribbon Riders were one of the ideas that were taken up a decade ago, and it allows us to communicate with youth,” McCann said.
“Because here are these tough looking guys, who may look like they are going to beat you up or steal something, but actually they are promoting aroha (love), respectful and healthy relationships.”
This year they’re focusing on relaying the message to young men that the “boys will be boys” slogan needs to go, as should the excuse attitude from society.
“‘Boys will be boys’ is outdated.
“It is part of a group of ideas that men should be tough and strong and not show emotion,” McCann said.
He also makes no apologies for his riders being loud, because that’s a tool they use to draw attention to their cause.
“They’re still riding flash bikes. They’re loud, drawing attention to a subject most don’t want to talk about.”
Isobbed. I broke down. I cried my eyes out, my face wet with tears.
Monday, October 17, 8.53am. The moment my world changed. The day that time seemed to stand still, everything else a blur.
The day my dear wee Frankie died, my beloved miniature schnauzer dog. He was 11 closing in on 12, a precious and gentle old soul, who had enriched my life in ways I never thought possible. But in seconds he was gone, having been euthanised at the veterinary practice after something went wrong – so bloody horribly wrong and still frustratingly unexplained – while under their care overnight.
In a blink of an eye, I had lost my best mate, who I loved more than anything and anyone. Yes, that included my wife but please don’t think the worst of me be-
cause she felt the same way and that’s no slight on either of us or our relationship.
It simply highlighted the deep impact Frankie Norman Holden had on us both and how strong our connection was with him and why he’s now left pawprints on our hearts.
It’s because our love for Frankie was completely unconditional, which is near impossible to replicate with a human because when you deal with people there are many expectations that come with that. Not so with our fur children where the bond is special and different. We can be ourselves, with no fear of being judged. We can love without restraint with our canine friends. That intense devotion is a reason why Frankie’s death continues to be so difficult to come to terms with.
Difficult? What an understatement. Though I went through the terrible pain of losing my Mum last year, and some close friends in recent times, too, I’ve never experienced the grief I still feel after Frankie’s completely unexpected death. But I’m not a Lone Ranger in that because it’s not uncommon to hear dog owners tell you that they’ve been more upset when their pooch has died, compared to a human relative.
That’s not to say that dog owners are unfeeling monsters detached from other humans. Quite the opposite. Dog, and pet owners generally, are some of the most empathetic people I’ve come across – towards both animals and humans.
Regardless, why shouldn’t we grieve more for our furry friends anyway? After all, our pets’ lives have value. They matter, even
though society often trivialises our relationships with them. And though I feel like I’m not supposed to grieve Frankie’s death as intensely or profoundly as I do, his life and the loss of it is momentous to me. But perhaps feeling stricken is part of the deal we make because we know they don’t live as long as we do.
We give them the best lives we can. They repay us with so much more than we ever give them. All this, of course, can be hard for non-pet lovers to fathom and I get that. But when I hear someone say they can’t understand how anyone can love a pet so much, I still really wonder about their ability to love at all.
How could you not show love and affection for a pet, who has been such a constant and important part of your daily lives? Some people, too, can say
careless things to a bereaved person when their loved animal family member dies. Like: “Are you going to get another dog?’’
That was put to me and I politely responded. But, seriously, maybe we will get another dog, but would you ask me at my son’s funeral if we were going to have more kids?
A pet, like a person, is not replaceable, and to suggest replacing one immediately after a death is just insensitive. Because people with dogs generally cherish their existence. Even great American President, Franklin Roosevelt, sought the comfort of his small black terrier, Fala, as he led the nation through World War Two. Fala slept at the foot of Roosevelt’s bed, accompanied him on trips, and was buried next to the president and his wife.
We are their world, which is why our much-loved pooches become a very large part of ours. But when they die, a part of us dies as well, as Daryl Holden discovered.Unbreakable bond: Daryl and Frankie Holden, whose unexpected death has left a void nobody can heal.
From P19
They’re special little friends and few understand that better in our setting than my son Finn. A chunk of his childhood went with Frankie’s death because Finn was eight years old when we got him for his birthday.
Frankie was the last puppy to be snapped up from a litter of purebred miniature schnauzers in Franklin, the town past Auckland that we appropriately named him after.
And in Finn’s part in helping raise Frankie, I witnessed an enduring trait in our only human child that made me so proud – his gift of nurturing and caring.
You see, Finn regarded Frankie as his brother, who was certainly there for many of his early big life moments and challenges, especially in sport.
As a family of four, we went to all the junior tennis and table tennis tournaments across the South Island from our Invercargill base for 10 years, with Finn generally cleaning up wherever he went.
We always stayed in dog-friendly motels because we would never leave our four-legged boy behind, away from his pack. Of course, taking Frankie meant he was always unsettled that first night in a strange environment.
I always slept on the motel room couch in the lounge, with Frankie beside me in his crate and Finn and Michelle in the bedrooms.
When Frankie invariably woke in the early hours after midnight, and started to whimper, I would quickly get up, dress and we’d go for a walk at ridiculous o’clock to tire him out and to avoid waking up Finn before he played later that morning.
Oamaru, Temuka, Timaru, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Wanaka, Ashburton and more. You name it, there were very few South Island destinations where Frankie and I didn’t go for our post-mid-
family holiday overseas or even to the North Island because someone had to stay home and look after Frankie, rather than sticking him in a kennel. It was another reason why we became so attached. Our bond so unbreakable.
And Frankie loved our trips away, grabbing his favourite toy in his mouth and dropping it by our bags when we were packing the car. He also became so well known on the table tennis and tennis circuit that players would always
removing the wrapping paper to reveal a squeaky red plastic stick. The ultimate for most dogs but Frankie wasn’t like most dogs. He looked at it with disgust, slumping away to sit by the front door, head bowed and ears down, not willing to look at us as he sulked.
He hated his squeaky toy. Parcel unwrapping was over as far as he was concerned. So much for Christmas fun, he probably thought.
He sat there, not budging for a
In recent months, he also became my wife’s instructional mini-me on the rare occasions she was away for a few hours. He would growl at me if I did something wrong around the house, had forgotten to give him his afternoon tea or his various medications that had to be administered at the exact time every day, which, somehow, he knew to the very minute.
night stroll, often in the rain and cold. North Dunedin, in the heart of university land, drew special reactions from students worse for wear and returning home after a big night. “Oh, scary dog,’’ they’d joke about my cosy fleece jacket-wearing boy, looking anything but frightening, feeling perky and wanting to say hello on his nighttime jaunt.
I never complained about those walks because Frankie was part of our family. He had to be there, which was why we never had a
say hi and pat him, even kids I didn’t know.
They were special memories I’ll always have of our first dog, who came in a tiny body but with a big personality, seriously sharp observational skills and the intelligence to read our mood and show us how he felt.
Take Christmas Day, where, as a younger dog he loved ripping open parcels. Many of them weren’t even his. One Christmas sticks out. It was in Alexandra and Frankie excitedly tore into his gift,
good 30 minutes, wanting to make sure we understood exactly how he felt, just as he always did whenever he wanted our attention.
Like when he would go to the front door at home, look out the window and bark at something outside. Except, there was never anything. It was a clever ploy, his way of getting me up to play with him.
If I was watching TV, especially sport, he would often sit directly in front of it, in full view as the ultimate distraction.
And there was lots of medication, poor Frankie becoming a sick wee dog with elevated levels of this, inflammation of that, complications in and around various organs in the abdomen –Cushing’s disease, diabetes and pancreatitis resulted. All treatable, but the combination of those ailments and the treatment slowly sucked some of the life out of our boy, who became lethargic but still sparked up for his walks.
He spent so much time at vets in Invercargill, Ashburton and in Christchurch over the years, including a stay-over at an after-hours animal hospital, that he often seemed to enjoy it, treating it like a social occasion to see other dogs and people.
They all knew him. They all made a fuss. Frankie loved that.
It was a moment I’ll never forget and one I’ll always carry some guilt at not being able to explain to him what was going on in those final moments, while also wondering how the hell this happened and what more could I have done to have saved him.
But it wasn’t easy keeping on top of his health concerns in recent months, hundreds of used syringes remaining a credit to my wife’s perseverance to administer the diabetes insulin injection twice daily, 12 hours apart and into a dog who hated it and who would wriggle and move to try and make it a near impossible task. We bribed him, a treat of salmon after every injection the lure. He sprinted to get his salmon after being injected.
When he died, unused salmon
packs in the fridge were tossed out. My wife used to love salmon. Now she’ll never eat it again because it’s just another painful memory of our boy.
And with Frankie gone, I’ve found myself almost floating through spaces he no longer occupies. There’s a particular kind of nothing in the corner by the TV where his plush bed still sits.
His massive basket of toys stays where it always has, while walking without him around the streets just doesn’t feel right.
Sometimes our house – his house, to be fair – feels empty and haunted, especially without his soft round self, asleep on the couch beside me, or not having him reverse in between my legs as I knelt on the floor to give him chest rubs. And once, in the first week following his death, I thought I heard him at the bedroom door on Saturday morning when I foolishly whispered, “come in Frankie dog’’, thinking he’d appear as he always did, ready to play with Dad on my day off. Of course, no. It was just another sledgehammer reminder that he really was gone.
That’s why the loss is intensely physical. It’s why I miss Frankie’s sounds and his smells. Well, some less than others. It’s why the house can feel almost stagnant without him around. I see him in shadows.
I look for him outside. There’s a hollowness that matches the echo in my chest.
My dog has gone but he’s also with us somehow, woven forever into our lives.
I’m grateful for the good memories and the lessons Frankie taught us. For teaching us about enduring love, devotion, and trust, even when we patted him that final time at the vet’s just as he was put to sleep.
It was a moment I’ll never forget and one I’ll always carry some guilt at not being able to explain to him what was going on in those final moments, while also wondering how the hell this happened and what more could I have done to have saved him.
I’m so, so sorry, Frankie dog. Please forgive me.
It was spooky but the actions of a knowing golden retriever convinced me we were doing the right thing with my miniature schnauzer’s ashes.
His name was Parker, who rushed towards us when we arrived at Reterniti, a Christchurch funeral services business where you can commemorate your pets in a rather special way.
It’s a converted antique shop, with a vast display of vintage Singer sewing machines immediately catching your attention. It’s a bit like a funeral parlour, offering a world-first service and technology that turns a pet’s ashes into a smooth memorial keepsake stone.
Parker and his golden retriever brother Max can be found at the Ferry Road business most days, welcoming customers and lounging together on their big double dog bed.
But that oh-so-playful Parker almost reduced me to tears when he disappeared out the back, returning with a soft toy in his mouth, dropping it at my feet. But it wasn’t just any old toy. Oh goodness no. The soft otter toy was Frankie’s favourite. Of all the toys, I thought. Of all the bloody toys.
If that wasn’t some sort of after-world message from Frankie then the next thing Parker did surely was while we talked with a lovely, empathetic sales lady about the ashes-to-memorial stone process.
Parker wanted my attention, and he wasn’t getting it, so he nudged in front of me, shuffled backwards on his bum and sat squarely, and firmly, on my feet. He looked up, those sad dog eyes trying to say something. I understood completely because that reversing and sitting on my feet carry-on was one of Frank-
ie’s unusual habits that he did with me. And only me.
They were signs. Good signs that getting Frankie’s ashes turned into a unique handmade cremation stone, which is done by using an organic binder – and having it engraved it with his first name and date of death –was the perfect thing to do.
“And don’t worry, we’ll look after Frankie’s ashes through the process,’’ the Reterniti sales lady assured us.
We’d collected the ashes from Fond Farewells pet crematorium in Lincoln only half an hour earlier where the woman there captured exactly how we were feeling, teary-eyed at the package being handed over in what was another quite confronting moment.
“I’m sorry we’ve had to be of service to you,’’ she said.
It was a nice thing to say but now we’re counting down the weeks before we get our stone, and we can’t wait to see how it turns out. Because no two stones are the same. They come in six different sizes, dictated by how big your pet was, while a stone’s colour varies and reflects the shades and tones of your furry companion’s ashes.
And we know that it’ll be a perfectly organic keepsake, a tactile object that we can hold, caress, place and, crucially, take and move around with us. But it won’t just be an object per se. It’ll be Frankie – a timeless and permanent pet after-life reminder of our much-loved boy – and as profoundly touching as the Reterniti company name itself.
The name is a mixture of the words return and eternity, which speaks to their philosophy of never being forgotten. Just like Frankie Holden. Never ever to be forgotten.
And wait there’s more, a tattoo show, live band, trade stalls, food and refreshments, bouncy castle and dyno.
What and where?
ots of American, British and European motorcycles on display in indoors.It’s the Ashburton Motorcycle Show at the Racecourse today. So if you can, make sure you visit. The admission charge gives access to all this and also benefits a local charity.
Remembering Edward Winchester
Next came a couple of Range Rovers
Edward and his family were original supporters of our motoring pages when they first appeared in their current iteration over 21 years ago.
Since then Edward often spoke with us, provided advice and suggested stor y ideas.
He made a major contribution to our special supplement published when the Rover and Land Rover national rally was staged locally.
ith much sadness we record the passing of Edward Winchester.He had an eclectic interest and his most recent purchase was a Mazda RX-7 Bathurst edition.
Edward enjoyed being involved in the classic car scene and was a member of various car clubs.
Well known and liked, Edward enjoyed attending car rallies and classic car shows.
Edward’s brother Miles says Edward was an avid car enthusiast.
His first vehicles were a 1948 Massey Harris pony tractor and an Austin A40.
Rover P6Bs and Land Rovers followed.
Edward had incredible mechanical ability and was renowned for his knowledge especially of Land Rovers and Rovers.
The Guardian Motoring Team has appreciated Edward’s support, we will miss him.
We offer his children Georgia, Laura and Ruben, his parents Ron and Pam and the Winchester family our condolences.
Motoring miscellanea
A
Door stop
But he wasn’t immune to miscalculations and a notable one coincided with the completion of his first vehicle the famed quadracycle.
Built in the workshop behind his house everything about the Quadracycle was fine, the only problem was Henry hadn’t allowed for the fact it was bigger than the width of the door.
Henry had to resort to using an axe and some brute strength to remove the door frame and some bricks before he went for his first drive.
As a far as we know history hasn’t recorded the reaction from his family or whether not the
door was replaced.
Could one could say it’s an ‘adoorable” story ?
Parking penalties
Soon after a motorist was – get this – arrested for non-payment. Who was the miscreant?
None other than local pastor Reverend C. H. North.
Grand Prix record
drivers are striving to finish a race as quickly as possible and better still set a record.
German racing driver Ernst Loop did both in the 1953 German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.
A successful car and bike designer Ernst lined up in a Veritas racing car he had helped design.
When the race started all the cars pulled away but the Veritas had a fuel pump failure and stopped after only two metres.
For Ernst the race was over almost as soon as it started setting a record for the shortest Grand Prix distance.
Ernst never raced again so he also has the – unlikely to ever be broken – record for the least successful Formula One career.
He went on to assist with the design of cars for BMW What’s in a name?
An amusing fact about BMW has nothing to do with performance rather about the name.
Confused or bemused or just
simply curious about the name, every year over 50,000 British people ask Google what BMW stands for.
We don’t know the total worldwide.
Pretty sure most of you will know, but it case not it’s Bayerische Motoren Werke.
Or roughly translated Bavarian Engine Works.
ony D’Alberto and Honda have secured the 2022 Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series in a nail-biting finish at the inaugural Bathurst International event at Mount Panorama.
The outstanding achievement is the culmination of four years of TCR racing in Australia for D’Alberto and Honda, who have been a part of the series since the first race back in 2019.
D’Alberto has enjoyed a supremely consistent season, scoring multiple race wins and podium finishes that saw him enter the final round at the famed mountain circuit with a comfortable, but not insurmountable, title lead.
When the cars hit the track for qualifying, it became clear that TCR’s current regulations were not going to favour the Honda at the Bathurst finale and D’Alberto would have to race through the weekend, effectively, with one hand tied behind his back.
However, it did not fluster the champion-in-waiting.
In Race 1, he finished 11th, which initially reduced his advantage down to 35 points, but it was increased to 49 points post-race, after a competitor was handed a five-second penalty for an incident at The Cutting.
Race 2 was deemed a non-result due to heavy rain and fog that made conditions at the top of the mountain unsafe, so to win the crown in the final race of the season D’Alberto needed to finish at least 12th, if his main championship rival, Will Brown, won the race.
As it turned out, Brown won, but D’Alberto finished 10th, which was more than enough for the #50 Honda Civic Type R TCR driver to claim the title, winning the 2022 series by a slender ninepoint margin.
While the final race results weren’t the outcomes the new champion wanted or expected, nothing can be taken away from D’Alberto or the Wall Racing team, which prepared a series-winning entry throughout the season.
Following an initial preview of the first-ever Mazda CX-90, Mazda Australia is excited to confirm that it will welcome the allnew model to its local range as the second entrant to join the large-platform family.
In its latest round of vehicle safety ratings, ANCAP has confirmed that the all-new Nissan X-Trail has achieved five stars.
In the adult occupant protection category X-Trail scored highly, with the X-Trail achieving 91 per cent. The X-Trail is built with ultra-high-strength steel in key areas to improve rigidity while allowing the force of an impact to be absorbed and reduced before reaching the passenger safety cell. The addition of a far-side airbag to prevent the collision of heads between the driver and front seat passenger in the event of a side impact contributes to the excellent lateral impact score of 16 for the X-Trail.
In terms of child occupant protection, the new X-Trail achieved 90 per cent. In the crash-test assessment for child occupants based on six and 10-year-old children, the X-Trail scored 23.3 points out of a possible 24, reflecting the outstanding protection it offers young occupants.
In the category of testing that assesses the vehicle’s ability to identify and alert drivers to pedestrians or other exposed road-users, the X-Trail achieved an overall score of 74 per cent.
The X-Trail features several active safety aids, including Intelligent Emergency Braking, which warns the driver and applies the brakes if the car anticipates an impact with a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist. Equally, Moving Object Detection alerts the driver to a possibly unseen object in proximity to the vehicle.
ANCAP recognises that it is always preferable to prevent accidents in the first place however, and awards points for technology which helps drivers avoid collisions.
The X-Trail scored exceptionally highly here with a 97 per cent rating, thanks to Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies.
David Moss, senior vice-president, regional research & development said: “The development of all our vehicles starts with outstanding body engineering, through the use of advanced materials and manufacturing techniques to ensure excellent structural integrity.
“This is complemented by an advanced suite of technologies that act as a second pair of eyes, identifying potential dangers and helping the driver to avoid an accident.”
Set to make its world debut in January 2023, the three-row Mazda CX-90 represents the company’s newest flagship vehicle, with wider, longer and more aggressive proportions than any current Mazda.
The CX-90 continues Mazda’s Kodo Design philosophy of infusing life into the body of the vehicle through passion and precision.
Its bold, dynamic design and exceptional craftsmanship are highlighted by an
all-new premium paint colour option, Artisan red.
This sophisticated, yet deeply saturated colour has been specifically developed
to suit large platform vehicles to accentuate its blend of high-performance appearance and world-class refinement.
Saturday November 19 is World Toilet Day. This is an annual day of observance begun in 2013 by the United Nations, which “celebrates toilets and raises awareness of the 3.6 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation … taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.”
In recognition of the day this weekend, it seems appropriate to take a look at some of the public conveniences that have graced the township in former times.
On April 28, 1900, a Guardian reporter, conducting an investigation on “The Seamy Side of Ashburton” decried the condition of some of what passed as lavatories around town: “The first place visited was a double urinal which defies description. It is the only accommodation provided for some eight or ten buildings, but is so situated that hundreds of people make a convenience of the spot … ‘Go through there and turn to your left’ was the direction our representative received, but the stench of the place was quite sufficient to indicate the whereabouts of this fever-breeding quagmire.”
The reporter went on: “The night-pan system, or rather nuisance, is an unspeakable menace to public health … Old and leaky pans are also responsible for nameless abominations. Even well-constructed conveniences were found not sufficiently flushed and disinfected.”
In 1905, Sir Joseph Ward, Minister of Railways, on passing through Ashburton was interviewed on the matter of situating the toilets at the railway depot in a less conspicuous position.
Following an investigation, he concluded: “The urinals are not in any way offensive, and that they compare favourably with those at many other railway stations of the same importance as Ashburton.”
However it was suggested by J. McLaughlan Esq, M.C.H. who had, along with the mayor, originally approached Ward with the
request, that “if he would lend me an engineer, whose olfactory organs are in perfect order, I will take him to the outside of the station latrines and let him have a sniff that will enable him to give a more correct report”.
1914 saw a petition presented to the Borough Council on behalf of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union for the urgent need to provide a rest-room and conveniences for women and children.
“
and the doors and window frames painted a dark green”.
This was but one of this little building’s many lives – its most recent as an integral part of Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi / Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka, the forthcoming new District Council Library and Civic Centre premises currently under construction.
Meanwhile, the men’s facilities situated at the corner of East and Burnett Streets seemingly presented a blot on the town’s
to the rear of them, as its roots were lifting the foundations.
In 1945 a visitor to the town was moved to write a letter to the Guardian’s editor on the “appalling uncleanliness” of the spot, which had “obviously not been cleaned for some time”.
Over twenty years prior, a drainage engineer had noted in a report to the council that “to keep W.Cs clean and undamaged, penny-in-the-slot doors were absolutely necessary”.
Presumably a litany of upgrades and preventative measures were prescribed to the forsaken ablution block by the time it was slated for demolition in 1993.
toilet’s dismantling.
The subsequent replacement for the notorious W.Cs was a group of new-fangled automated toilets from Auckland-based manufacturer Exceloo, which featured a self-cleaning schedule and an alarm that sounded if the occupant stayed for more than 10 minutes.
This upgrade clearly compensated for the contemptible former bogs, as the company itself awarded Ashburton for having the “cleanest and best maintained self-cleaning toilets in New Zealand and Australia”.
This brief look at the town’s dunnies has but scratched the surface of Ashburton toilet lore in such a short piece, and the author would welcome anecdotes from readers on other public facilities around the district. The illustrated sketch by Henry Lowen-Smith accompanying this article shows the public toilets on the corner of East and Burnett Streets as it appeared in 1986.
Ashbuton’s infamous “Whitehouse” (the “seat of power” according to Henry) appears in his exhibition The Wind of the Homeland at the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.
This is the final weekend of the exhibition, so be sure to visit to see his illustrations of various Ashburton landmarks, as well as his remarkable paintings depicting landscapes of Canterbury, and further afield.
The subsequent building, erected on Tancred Street, served its purpose for nearly a quarter of a century, before the need for expanded premises were required.
The updated “ladies rest” opened in 1938 in Havelock Street; the existing building having housed the County Engineer’s office. The new building was “painted outside and completely changed inside. The outer brick walls have been oiled, the concrete facings scraped,
landscape practically from the moment they were instated.
During a discussion at the Borough Council in 1923, Mr C. F. Horrill suggested that, as the council was currently sewering the conveniences, they also remodel them, as they were a “standing disgrace to the town”.
In 1930, at another Borough Council meeting, attention was drawn to the lavatories as “an absolute disgrace in their present state” and the decision was made to remove a large oak tree
The “Whitehouse” as it was colloquially known, had become infamous as a rest stop that visitors passing through town should absolutely avoid if at all possible, as attested to by comments in the visitors’ book in the (then) nearby information centre.
November 1993 saw D-Day for the toilets, which by this time housed both the men’s and women’s facilities; their decrepitness finally unforgivable to the surrounding businesses.
The demolition of the Whitehouse dislodged a nest of rats that had taken up residence in the roof of the structure, who then dispersed through town, although at least one rodent was dispensed with by the hammer of a worker carrying out the
Material for this page is coordinated by the
other organisations are welcomed, as is any feedback on what
Email: museum@ adc.govt.nz Mail: PO Box 94, Ashburton 7700 Phone: 307-7890
Copies of the photos on this page are available from the Ashburton Art Gallery
The night-pan system, or rather nuisance, is an unspeakable menace to public health … Old and leaky pans are also responsible for nameless abominations. Even wellconstructed conveniences were found not sufficiently flushed and disinfected.”
calling time on a week of sport
Matt Markham
As confidence wanes in a new online cricket scoring system around the country, Mid Canterbury Cricket’s manager is hopeful that problems will eventually iron themselves out.
In the months preceding the beginning of the season, New Zealand Cricket announced a nation-wide rollout of a new scoring system to be used at all levels across the country.
An Australian-based platform, PlayHQ came in to replace the pre-existing platform CricHQ whose business went into receivership at the beginning of the season last year.
“
I believe it will be a good system eventually, but was rolled out a season too early. There was little or no consultation with stakeholders which has meant a delay in the fundamentals of e-scoring being available.
But so far, it’s been more bad scores than good with frustrations from all over at the system and the way it operates. And for Mid Canterbury Cricket manager, Mark Medlicott that’s created some busy times in the office.
“There have been numerous issues for clubs, scorers and administrators,” he said.
“In my case, we shielded as much of
what was happening in the background from the general cricket public such as clubs etc … in the hope that many of the issues could be resolved before everyone was introduced to the system.
“Unfortunately, that hasn’t turned out to be the case. To be fair, some of our people have worked through and got most fundamentals going okay, in fact I’ve even had some feedback that the scoring platform is better.”
Medlicott said that while time is definitely helping with the adjustment, a number of operational issues continue to cause problems each week that hasn’t helped the confidence levels.
“Some of the bugs, or missing parts haven’t made us that confident at this early stage and since going into the public arena
Gerken and Lynda Brown, Kurow’s Brittney Haugh, Geraldine’s Ginny Bolderston and Margaret-Mary Coughlan from the Clear water club in Christchurch.
The men’s side is largely Mid Canterbury with only two players coming from south of the Rangitata River.
where the feedback has heightened significantly it has meant it seems the developers are working on keeping the public happy, but not necessarily fixing things in the background for admins.”
Like any new aspect, there was always going to be a settling in period where hiccups would occur and issues would be highlighted, but Medlicott said in his opinion the move from New Zealand Cricket to implement PlayHQ was too fast – but with time on its side and further learning and development it could become an asset for cricket in this country.
“From my perspective, I believe it will be a good system eventually but was rolled out a season too early. There was little or no consultation with stakeholders which has meant a delay in the fundamentals of
e-scoring being available.”
Problems in the system during the first month of this season has also highlighted another issue for Medlicott, who also acts as the man in charge of South Canterbury Cricket as well as Mid Canterbury.
And it’s that the traditional, and time-honoured method of score-keeping with a book is fast becoming a thing of the past.
“We have found out locally that many people no longer know how to score a book as for the last six-to-eight years people have been brought up using the online systems.
“That’s caused more issues, more training and a lot of negativities that could have been avoided.”
In a statement late last week, New Zealand Cricket said they were aware of the frustrations around the country and its cricketing community.
“We’re well aware that, across the country, hard-working volunteers of the community game … have been faced with challenges and problems connected to the new platform,” they said.
“Rest assured we’re listening to the issues you’re highlighting and wasting no time in feeding these back to the administrators of PlayHQ.”
A shot at national glory now awaits a group of local golfers after Aorangi Golf this week announced their sides to head to the New Zealand Inter Provincial early next month.
After a busy past few weeks of golf including the South Island Inter Provincial tournaments both the men’s and women’s sides for the national events which will be held at the Omanu and Tauranga golf clubs in Tauranga have been confirmed.
Jennifer Shepherd is the sole Ashburton representative in the women’s team although she will have the familiar face of Ange Mowbray as the team’s manager for the competition which runs over five days of play.
She’s joined by Timaru players Angela
Rakaia duo, Cameron Grant and Ryan Cockburn – who both boast plenty of experience at this level are in the side alongside Ashburton clubmates, Kris O’Neil and Josh Smith.
The quartet are joined by Timaru’s Travis Cook and Pleasant Point’s Marcus Tessier.
The Inter Provincial begins on December 6 and runs through until December 10.
The men will play matches against Bay Of Plenty, Manawatu Whanganui, North Harbour, Poverty Bay East Coast, Northland and Otago during the early stages of the competition.
The women’s team will take on teams from Hawkes Bay Poverty Bay, Canterbury, Taranaki, North Harbour, Northland and Tasman.
Des Kruger ©
William Southby
Sam Clark
Ryan Bell
vibes, bad vibes – Bevan Ravenscroft has had them all this week.
The new man at the helm of the Mid Canterbury Senior Cricket side has spent this week preparing his side for their first Hawke Cup challenge of the season against South Canterbury, which begins today on the Ashburton Domain Oval.
But he’s done so with a nagging thought in the back of his head. It’s been a good training week and Ravenscroft, a former mainstay of the baggy green and gold side for many years as a player, couldn’t be happier with the way things are ahead of the match.
He’s just not so sure about the weather gods and what might transpire there.
“It’s been a good week, I’ve got a really good feel of the guys – they’re in a good place,” Ravenscroft said. “We had 16 at training on Monday night and a few apologies which was great, there’s a real sense of determination about them which is encouraging.
“But this weather doesn’t look too flash, particularly Saturday it seems like it’s going to be pretty wet.”
Heavy rainfall is predicted for Mid Canterbury throughout today but there’s a chance of the skies clearing tomorrow morning meaning that a potential rapid-fire second day could be on the cards in the hunt to get points on the board in the Hawke Cup.
“At the end of the day you can’t do much about the weather, we’ve just got to take it as it comes. If we do get out there, that’s good – we’re ready, but we can’t change anything if we can’t get out there.”
Mid Canterbury and South Canterbury matches in the Hawke Cup have a history of striking weather-related problems with recent matches washed out, or even aban-
doned due to the bridges between the district being impassable.
With the notion of playing, Ravenscroft has settled on what appears to be a very balanced XI to take to the middle this weekend with particular emphasis on the bowling attack.
Canterbury Under 19 representative Harry McMillan comes into the side for the first time this year to join fellow seamers, Tom Innes, Harry Jones and Satwant Singh – giving some real firepower to the attack.
“I think it’s a really strong seamer attack and think with the weather that’s going to be important. I’d imagine we’ll ask them to do a lot of the work, but we’ve got some
spin options there in Ryan Bell and Angus Jemmett if we need them as well as people like Des Kruger and Devon Flannery.”
Kruger who is closing in on 50 Hawke Cup matches for Mid Canterbury has been given the captaincy this season and his coach said it was a reflection of his standing in the game locally and his dedication to the side.
“I wanted someone I could really rely on, and Des was the perfect fit. He’s the most experienced man in the team and really leads from the front.”
In the batting ranks, Kruger will again be expected to play his part but there’s some explosive players ahead of him, who if re-
Harry McMillan
Coach Bevan Ravenscroft
Scorer: Mike Southby
quired could get runs on the board quickly.
Sam Clark has a knack for starting with a bit of a punch and Angus Jemmett will be out to turn around his form if he gets the opportunity while William Southby is always reliable.
Today’s match gets under way at 10am on the Domain Oval with the same start time tomorrow.
who comes in for David Havili.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has largely reverted to the side that played against Wales for Sunday’s test against England at Twickenham.
Lock Brodie Retallick will win his 100th cap after returning from suspension, with Scott Barrett moving to the blindside.
Mark Telea starts on the wing with Jordie Barrett again at second five-eighth.
Retallick was suspended after being sent off against Japan last month, missing the wins against Wales and Scotland over the past fortnight, but reprises his long-standing partnership in the second row with skipper Sam Whitelock.
The pair will scrum down together for a record 64th time, surpassing the previous mark held by South Africa’s Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
Retallick, who will be the 12th New Zealander to get 100 caps, comes in for Scott Barrett, who moves to blindside flank in place of Akira Ioane in one of nine
Beauden Barrett moves to fullback where his brother Jordie played last week, allowing Richie Mo’unga to return at flyhalf with Aaron Smith back at scrumhalf for his 11th cap.
In the pack, Codie Taylor starts at hooker in place of Samisoni Taukei’aho, while Tyrel Lomax replaces Nepo Laulala at tighthead as New Zealand put out their strongest side for their last game of the year.
“We feel the squad has been building nicely throughout this tour,” said coach Ian Foster as he named the team.
“Playing England is something we don’t get to do often so we are excited for the challenge. This is an opportunity to continue our growth as a team at one of the great venues in world rugbyTwickenham,” he added.
Manu Tuilagi is back in the England team, with Jack Nowell also restored to the starting team having withdrawn shortly before last week’s win over Japan with a stomach issue.
Maro Itoje will move back to
Replacements:
the second row as coach Eddie Jones has gone for an unfamiliar back-row of Tom Curry at seven, Sam Simmons at six and Billy Vunipola at eight.
The match kicks off at 6.30am (NZ Time) tomorrow morning.
No.1’s, Jason Feutz and Rhys Cromie set to continue their long-standing rivalry on the courts with another doozy of a singles match up.
First round bragging rights go on the line in Mid Canterbury Tennis Open Grade Interclub today –but just who gets to stand up and gloat come the end of play is still very much anyone’s guess.
After a week off to enjoy Canterbury Anniversary weekend all grades of tennis return to the court today, weather permitting. The top-flight competition sees the final week of the first round of the season.
And while mathematically there’s anyone of three teams that could take the top prize that numbers and statistics sit very heavily in favour of Team Wilson who have been unbeaten through the round.
They take on the bottom placed Team Yonex this afternoon who are yet to win a fixture.
The match should provide some highlights with the two
Three points clear on the standings, any form of victory should be enough to see Team Wilson claim round one honour, but if they slip up both Team Prince and Team Head might be able to take advantage.
They’ll square off against each other in the second match of the day. Both have registered two wins and a loss to Team Wilson but have shown collectively they’re more than capable of producing top-notch tennis.
Many of those who step out today will return to the courts tomorrow with for Tennis Canterbury Interclub.
The Country Mid Canterbury side, who are unbeaten through three rounds of Division One, will take on Edgeware as they look to go four-from-four while the Division Two side, who suffered their first defeat of the season prior to the long-weekend break will do battle with Elmwood.
Hayden Wilde has had his appeal dismissed by World Triathlon, meaning his Commonwealth Games silver won’t be upgraded to gold.
Wilde had appealed against the 10-second transition penalty he was given for unclipping his helmet before he had racked his bike during the men’s race at the Birmingham Games in July.
The penalty cost the New Zealand No.1 the chance to sprint for the gold medal with British rival Alex Yee, with Wilde having led the race up to that point.
Tri NZ says it’s disappointed with the result as it considers that there was no evidence of Wilde doing what was alleged.
Tri NZ and Wilde considered whether a further appeal, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), would be appropriate, but decided not to take the matter further.
Wilde will now direct his energy into winning the World Triathlon Championship Series at the season finale which is set to be decided in Abu Dhabi on November 27.
“I know what I did and I know
what I did wasn’t wrong [in Birmingham] but at the end of the day you kind of can’t dwell on the past, you’ve just got to look to the future and I think that is what I’m doing currently,” Wilde said.
“I’ve got my eyes set on a different goal now, as much as I wanted that gold medal in Birmingham.
“I’ve got my eyes set on being crowned a world champ which I think is a huge opportunity for me and for New Zealand.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve had a world champ, the last time was Bevan Docherty [in 2004]. My goals are to look forward and try and get this world
title and bring it back home to New Zealand.”
After victories in Leeds and Hamburg and a pair of second placings in Yokohama and Montreal, Wilde will enter the WTCS decider in the UAE capital in the No.1 bib.
The Whakatane 25-year-old ironically finds himself racing Yee for the world title after Yee notched wins in Yokohama, Montreal and Cagliari, the latter a race Wilde bypassed, in addition to the final regular season event in Bermuda, opting instead to spend an entire month prepping in Abu Dhabi.
Wilde’s ‘Monk Mode’ training block in Abu Dhabi comes after he was crowned Super League Triathlon champion in Neom, Saudi Arabia on October 29 after three wins and two third placings in the separate five-event series.
“For me, I’m in a good head space. I think I was a little bit dark on it but I just had to use that anger and frustration through Super League which I came home with [courtesy of] three wins and two podiums.
“So [I’ll] definitely use that bit of frustration to build on heading into world champs,” Wilde said.
The Methven Tennis Club will celebrate 125 years of existence this weekend with a special celebration at their home in the Methven Domain. The first match for the club was played on November 18, 1897. A social doubles competition will begin proceedings today after Saturday morning interclub before formal celebrations tomorrow with speeches and presentations from 1pm.
The Ashburton College 1st XI will play the penultimate week of the Canterbury 1st XI Cup at home today as they host the St Andrew’s College 1st XI on their wicket at the Ashburton Domain. After a defeat at the hands of the unbeaten Christ’s College Development XI last week the side will be out to try and get the winning feeling back today but will have to do so without opening batsman, Devon Flannery who has been called up for Mid Canterbury duty.
Close to 170 golfers will tackle the Methven Golf Course this weekend for the club’s annual two-day tournament. A big field of players has been drawn for the weekend’s play in the popular event which comprises of two rounds over Saturday and Sunday. Today, the first day, sees a four-ball format before combined scores come into play in tomorrow’s final round.
The Celtic Rugby club will fly the Mid Canterbury flag today in Geraldine at the annual Heartland 7s. Hosted by the South Canterbury Rugby Union the tournament will see competitions for both men and women with Celtic entering a team in each. Play begins today at 10am with matches throughout the day at the Geraldine Rugby Club.
There’s action a plenty on the Ashburton Golf Course this weekend as club members chase success in the annual RMF Silva Lawyers Cup on the Brandon Links. Heading into today’s final round, Paddy Bradford has his nose in front of the pack, but there’s a chase on behind him with Richard McKernan and Adrian Hopwood just one shot back. The trio have a margin on four players who are four shots back, Brent MacGregor, Hayden McMillan, Kevin Smith and John Ramsay.
Two’s:
& John Ramsay 68pts.
Affair 15, Donalds Dux 19 beat Double Shots 14, Famous Grouse won by default Hackers. 40 Love, Bye.
There is just one change to the Kiwi Ferns line-up to take on Australia in the women’s rugby league World Cup final in Manchester on Sunday morning. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly makes her return as starting winger outside of centre Mele Hufanga who received Player of the Match in the 20-6 semi-final win over England. RLWC Golden Boot winner Raecene McGregor will start in the halves alongside Abigail Roache, while Charlotte Scanlan and Katelyn Vahaakolo have been named at 18th and 19th woman.
on the big day, but to rein home two winners – both at long odds – was some achievement and it’s only a matter of time before he gets his hands on one of the week’s big races.
As Cup Week fast becomes a distant memory, Matt Markham looks back on the week and finds his five local highlights from racing’s biggest occasion.
A proud Mid Cantabrian, Daniel certainly made his trip back home for racing’s biggest week worthwhile.
Five winners across the twoand a-bit meetings he rode at and a real display of the talent that has made him one of the best in the business on the other side of the Tasman.
Getting the chance to talk to him live on air on SENZ on Saturday it was hard no to be impressed by his determination, development, and passion.
A great advertisement for Mid
He rocked a fair few punters but also pleased quite a few as
well, but John Morrison’s Cup Day was another great acknowledgement toward his standing in the New Zealand driving ranks.
Many just dream of driving
We’ve got a proud standing in racing circles as a breeding ground of success.
Numbers may have faltered somewhat in the thoroughbred training ranks around these parts over the years, but we’re still producing the future.
Meg Cunneen might not train the big numbers of some of her adversaries, but she continues to show she’s a trainer with a big career ahead of her.
June Bug’s win in the last day of the Carnival on Monday was proof of that. Trained to the minute.
Ignoring the fact some of the bully was borne through fa-
vouritism there was a lot of talk around the traps for Franco Josiah before Cup Day. Surprising then that he paid $40 to win the first race of the day.
What a wonderful job, Ben Waldron and his partner Renee Williams have done with this horse. He’s had his fair share of problems but boy can he trot. Show Day effort to place was almost as good as the winning one a few days earlier too!
Sure, they didn’t win the 1000 Guineas after it was rescheduled to Monday from Riccarton, but what an achievement for a group of Ashburton rugby mates to have bred and raced a Group One runner.
O’Riordan was excellent in the Guineas making up great lengths late in the piece and there’s a future there for her for Simon Adlam, Neville and Phil Prendergast and Willie Murney –both on the track and off it in the breeding barn in the future too!
Commander Ben K Butt 3 53313 Tabasco K Tomlinson 4 54487 Final Collect B Orange 5 x0811 Da Vinci C Ferguson 6 1x602 Vinke B O Thor nley R7 TYRE GENERAL TIMARU SUMMER CUP $20,000 2600m 16:42 1 4748 Jimmy Arma B Butt 2 2641x Maren Franco L O’Reilly 3 22120 Ar tatac S Ottley 4 4914x Makasar Boy 5 14608 Boudica R May 6 35111 Star Magic G D Smith 7 64x00 Eldolar 8 x6x4x Copperhead Rose G O’Reilly 9 5x150 Get Up N Dance N Williamson 10 43772 Doctor Tim S Thor nley 11 87386 Dashing Major J Dunn 12 98x8x Buckskin S O’Reilly 13 1111x Franco Marek J Morrison 14 90 Johnny Mac C Thor nley 15 308 Terry B Orange 16 7071 Warloch W House 17 2x124 Allamericanlover T Williams R8 GALLAGHER BUILDING /AORAKI FRAMES &
TRUSS MOB PACE $10,000 2600m 17:22 1 82750 Taxman S Ottley 2 00x09 Javasa N Williamson 3 930x0 Webs Reactor L O’Reilly 4 67x71 Janarty R May 5 5009 Fernz Goldy J Morrison 6 x9037 Dancing Desire B Orange 7 13869 Terror Eyes 8 55443 Mighty Reactor S Tomlinson 9 9x707 Heat Seeker S Boyd 10 89543 Rakanotta 11 0x000 Prospect Park C Thor nley 12 10387 Elite Styx S O’Reilly 13 x805x Silk T Williams 14 3500x Taurus Bromac R9 EQUINE VET SERVICES/GEORGE SHAND MEMORIAL HCP TROT $15,000 2600m 17:46
Blue
Orange
W House
39897 Szybka Lane J Dunn
x05x6 Radioactive Jaffa C Thor nley
21x Heez Good S Tomlinson
10907 Off The Edge G O’Reilly
7585x Shanika K Butt Matt Markham’s Timaru Selections Race 1: Creed, Rakero Raider, Clouding Over, Rakero Storm Race 2: Double Down, The Vicar Of Dibley, Carmelite, Field of Poppies Race 3: Hanover Da Moon, Boyz Invasion, Sassy Star, See It Thru Race 4: Wheels Of Fortune, Barnstormer, Jimmy James Maguire, Casino Action Race 5: Tyron Arohanui, It’s So Easy, Notasbadasilook, Silverlinings
Race 6: Carrera Rapido, Final Collect, Da Vinci, Vinke B Race 7: Franco Marek, Allamericanlover, Dashing Major, Copperhead Rose
Race 8: Mighty Reactor, Dancing Desire, Janarty, Silk Race 9: Smokin Bandar, Matua Tana, Hot To Trot, Masterly Race 10: Rakero Rebel, Obsession, Anna Love, The Conqueror BEST BET: Rakero Rebel (Race 10) VALUE: Double Down (Race 2)
Ringo
Race 7: Tiger Taylor, Show Me Heaven, Midfrew Luisianabeau, J R Bromac
Race 8: Riveered, Katherine, Razors Edge, Soviet Star Race 9: Chambray, A Bettor You, Millwood Indie, Classie Linc
Race 10: El Conqueror, Magic Dash, Make My Sundon, Bellerophonte
Race 11: Ted’s Legacy, Secret Delight, Ruby’s A Delight, Motor Mouth BEST BET: Ted’s Legacy (Race 11) VALUE: Tiger Taylor (Race 7)
Across
1 Former Crusaders winger represented Scotland 2015 and 2019 World Cups (8)
5 Black Ferns World Cup squad prop, Pip (4)
7 Canterbury ABs midfielder 1963-64 northern tour (6)
8 ABs winger made three-try Test debut v Scotland 1993 (6)
10 China’s first Grand Slam singles tennis champion, Na (2)
11 Black Caps T20 World Cup squad spinning allrounder (7)
14 Controversy-dogged former Black Caps batsman, Ryder (5)
15 Swimming event, abbrev (2)
17 Dashing Kiwi rugby league centre emerged early 1990s (9)
20 Gridiron role, tight (3)
22 Rugby enforcer tag, man (3)
24 Sons of former ABs captain joined “Kilted Kiwis” 1990s (6)
27 Hong Kong-born centre became only NZ/England dual rugby international 1980s (6)
30 Renowned Romanian tennis firebrand, Nastase (4)
32 All Blacks forwards coach (4)
33 Otago/Highlanders All Black flanker 1995-2000 (8)
34 US tennis ace married German star Steffi Graf, initials (2)
35 South African rugby’s Sharks (5)
36 All Black fullback 1979-84 (6)
Down
1 All Black lock sent off 1967 Murrayfield Test (5)
© Copyright Peter Thomson 2022
1. The All Blacks and England first met in 1905, where did they play?
Twickenham
b)
c)
a)
Trailblazing Kiwi female jockey, Jones (5)
26
28
29
Golden – (3)
1993-2000 (4) 5 First Aussie bowler to claim 300 Test wickets (6) 6 Phoenix’s Aussie A-League coach 2013-16, Merrick (5) 9 NZ rugby league’s celebrated “Big O”, – Filipaina (5) 12 Randwick-based race club, abbrev (3) 13 Maori All Black and England utility back, Flutey (4) 16 New York baseball team (4) 17 Legendary Scottish rugby commentator, Bill – (7) Solution No 130
Coached Wallabies to
2015
World Cup final (5)
French-trained galloper
2011 Melbourne Cup (7)
Hall of Fame rugby/athletics administrator, Blazey (3) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 H O W A R T H S I M O N A O E D O T O O D O O C E Y T A Y L O R E D C R L S N P C E F F I C I E N T O O S R O E B E C K E R A N T B R A K I A P A H I A L D N I C H O L L S E W V M O K A S H E S A N E S I I R L A C B O N M A L L E T I N N E S
Racehorse colour, abbrev (2)
b)
c)
8.
a)
b)
5.
Answers:
woman starts saving her earnings (3)
Yellow you don’t finish starts looking kipperish (4)
Swallow down a mention on the air if it’s returned (4)
Sort of root to turn on wanting water (3)
A raw hide will come down hard (4)
Overdose when in South Africa on soft drink (4)
Nothing broadcast as it happens provides one with oil (5)
Supply one with cod when about to be given the runaround (7)
22 from the syphon makes something of a headline (6)
Make people like one finish with a bit of corn (6) DOWN 1. Thinking black cat is lucky pet: ours is to get new suit (13) 2. Bolter scoring one at cricket on opponents’ ground (7) 3. Incline to be fat-free (4) 5. Unsparing way I go right for it in turning sour (8) 6. Takes up an attitude as one pops the question (5) 7. Ballet arranger has a household task: ergo, harp arrangement (13) 8. Yellow as elm turns if there’s no upturn (5) 14. Mules, sure-footed? Seemingly not (8) 17. 25 one for a period of change when about five (7) 18. A split Conservative leader abandoned (5) 20. Bottle or bucket, form of which includes hydrogen (5) 23. Breakfast food may preclude inclusion of sugar finally (4)
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): You don’t approach relationships like an investor approaches the stock market, with an eye constantly out for the return. You’re a giver, so you give. The winds of love will distribute your offerings perfectly.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): What do you want to be known for? The answer to that question has changed many times over the years and is changing you still. Today brings novel and bright new ideas on the subject.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): Space and silence can be a healing gift to a relationship. Long conversations are apt to get off track, so keep it brief, say what you need to say, and then leave and let it sink in.
CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): You shouldn’t have to power through an endeavour on willpower alone. Demand something of the venture. Is it exciting enough to pull you forward? Momentum is easy when the job fits your life and interests.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): The past has your attention like a spell. Break the hold it has over you by freshening up your environment. Different and new surroundings will sing out to you, “Welcome to today!”
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): No one is born strong. Strength is weakness handled proactively. You’ve lifted much in this lifetime and gotten stronger with each effort. You’ll do it again today.
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): You’ve seen plenty around here, and you’re ready to see what’s over there. This appetite for adventure, being stronger than usual, is going to take some planning to execute, and that will be half the fun.
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): You’ve a multifaceted skill set. When you don’t get the chance to use some of these skills for too long a time, you start to feel diminished. Want a spiritual lift? Seek ways to exercise your competence.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): The inherent chaos of human connection is bound to create a mess sooner or later. Would you really want it any other way? Today’s madness is poetry in motion. It will even seem to rhyme.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): The old vaudevillians had it right. A three-step process helps the show along quite nicely. First, tell them what you’re going to do. Next, do it. Finally, tell them what you did. Cue the applause.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): How do you buy time? In the case of fines and overdue credit, you can buy it with money. But mostly, time is bought with charm. Your charisma will get you as much of someone’s time as you want.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): You are as worthy of the best things as any king or queen. The question is, what constitutes a “best thing”? Love’s gaze tops the list. Currently, the most splendourper-inch will be found in the eyes of another.
The 2022 Community Christmas lunch is being held at the Tinwald Hall, Cnr Graham & McMurdo Streets, Tinwald at 12.30pm on Christmas Day. Transport is available - please fill in below. This lunch is for anyone who would like to share Christmas Day with others. There is no charge. If you have any questions please phone Ann 308 0333 and leave a message. You are warmly invited to share this special time with us.
3.
3 office on Burnett Street or post to: Ashburton Guardian, P.O. Box 77, Ashburton 7740, 5 (five) working days prior to the first publication. CONDITIONS: 1. Telephoned information NOT accepted. 2. Forms MUST be signed by an authorised representative of the organisation concerned.
Previously know as Daily Events, Play Planner is printed in the Tuesday and Thursday editions of The Guardian. Not Saturday.
Community House Mid Canterbury, 44 Cass Street, Ashburton Presbyterian Support at the Trevor Wilson Centre, 215 Tancred Street, Ashburton or to PO Box 581, Ashburton by Wednesday 14th December if possible.
Give Joy with a gift under the tree— and put a smile on someone’s face.
Give Peace with a Positive Lifestyle Programme—and strengthen people’s mana.
Give Hope with Financial Mentoring—and provide budgeting skills to help with debt.
IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY
PHONE 111.
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.
Wises Pharmacy, Countdown Complex, East Street, will be open from 9am - 1pm Saturday, from 10am1pm Sunday.
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.
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.
is staffed
registered nurses
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
4. The organisation acknowledges that no responsibility for errors or omissions will be accepted by the Guardian Company.
Please send your event details at least a day in advance so we can add and update accordingly.
Fill out the form below and hand in to our LEVEL 3 office on Burnett Street. Or email details to whatson@theguardian.co.nz.
Day of event
Date of event
Starting time
Name of organisation
For some Kiwi whānau, increased costs of living will mean they won’t participate in Christmas festivities this year.
But beyond the few days of celebration, they will continue to struggle. The effects of poverty are still prevalent after the Christmas tree is packed away and people return to everyday life.
You can make the difference for them now and beyond with your gift.
Please give a Gift of Hope today.
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
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.
DEATHS
On Sunday, November 13 (her 54th birthday), suddenly, following a medical event. Beloved daughter of Tom and Linda Farrell (Ashburton), loved Mum of Caitlin, Brennan, and Briana. Loved sister and sister-in-law of Christine, Mark and Vicki, and the late Anne-Marie, adored fiancée of Will. Loved granddaughter of the late Gwen and Ivan Beams (Greymouth), loved aunt, niece, cousin, colleague, nurse, and friend to many. Messages may be addressed to The Family of the late Thérèse Farrell, c/PO Box 39001, Christchurch 8545. In memory of Thérèse, donations to Outward Bound would be appreciated, and may be made online at: outwardbound.co.nz. A Celebration of Thérèse's life will be held in our Westpark Chapel, 467 Wairakei Road, Burnside, Christchurch, on MONDAY, November 21, at 2pm. The family encourages everyone present to wear bright colours and bring garden flowers, reflecting Thérèse's fabulously vibrant personality.
DEATHS
Dearly loved son of the late Flo and the late Rima, loved brother of Sandy, Tom, Ron, the late Stanley, the late Florence, Doreen, Alby, the late Donald, Wiki and Peter, Steven, and twin sister Patsy. A loved uncle of his nieces and nephews. Close mate of Toss, Greg, Konui, Manu, Corey, Leeane, Rhys, and the late John Pullan and man’s best friends Clyde and Zion.
Will be dearly missed by us all.
Messages to: The Meager family, c/- PO Box 6035, Ashburton 7742. For those that wish to pay their respects, Glenn will be resting at Collegiate South Rugby Club, 1 Chalmers Avenue, Ashburton on Sunday, November 20, from 1.45pm - 6pm. A service to celebrate Glenn’s life will be held at The Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, Ashburton on MONDAY, November 21, 2022 commencing at 1.30pm followed by a private cremation.
How to send family notices
FUNERALS YOUR ONLY LOCALLY AND FAMILY OWNED 18-22 Moore Street, Ashburton | 0800 263 6679 027 637 1229 | www.memoryfunerals.nz Jo Metcalf DEATHS Canterbury owned, locally operated Office and Chapel Corner East & Cox Streets, Ashburton Ph 307 7433 Patersons Funeral Services and Ashburton Crematorium Ltd MISSED PAPER? We promise it was accidental, but if your paper hasn’t arrived by your morning breakfast, in the first instance, please phone us on 03 307 7900 and follow the voice prompts: • Press 1 for ‘Circulation’ • Press 1 again for ‘Missed Papers’ You will then be connected to our amazing delivery team, please leave a clear and detailed message. It’s vital we hear your DELIVERY ADDRESS and we will aim to get a paper redelivered by lunchtime. Samelocation 1960, and why customersloveus 5am-4pm Sat 123 Main South Road, Ashburton Ph 03 308 5774 FOURTH GENERATION FAMILY OWNED YOUR LOCAL BAKERY Your Trusted Guardian – Proudly serving Mid Canterbury since 1879 uardian ASHBURTON subscribe: bravest The Blossom Tanya Dearns was probably cheering louder than anyone when the All Blacks played Japan on Saturday, but wasn’t for the team in black. Dearns, the Mid Canterbury rugby boss and former Silver Ferns netballer, was barracking for her boy Warner, who scored a try for Japan’s Brave Blossoms. P22 UARDIAN WEEKEND OCT 29 2022 G HOME & GARDEN EVENING Bdonations donated Cancer mitre10.co.nz/garden talks supersized US P12-15 Talk about high-flying kea making its mark. Meet Kelly the Kea and find how this soft toy is part a plan to develop a ground-breaking stratospheric aircraft. READ MORE ONE SMALL STEP FOR KEA-KIND Protect Livelihood RURALAND FARM INSURANCE Ashburton experiencedbrokers you out insurer. from NZbrokersmembership, provide cover and cover whole operation. Your Trusted Guardian – Proudly serving Mid Canterbury since 1879 uardian ASHBURTON Thursday,November 2022 Your Weekend Countdown VILLA FOR OCCUPATION our manager, TonySands www.lochlearesort.co.nztony@lochlearesort.co.nz Naan left Ashburton restaurant’s Mohammed Khursheed Jahangir’s frustration clear. His Asian restaurant, Miyabi Top in Town, has been shut for the past three weeks because four have left after they exploited loophole the Government’s skilled worker residency visa programme. And now his popular Ashburton business could collapse for good. Asian chef crisis CR HOOPS’ BALANCING ACT P2 IN TOPTHECOP SPOT P4 Read more and check out the job opportunities, P3 MORE P5 UARDIAN WEEKEND NOV 5 2022 $3.20 G He’s and an inspiration to all. Meet Ashburton’s Merv Grewar, who’s making name for himself in indoor rowing and cycling his octogenarian class. And he’s doing so with a very personaldrivingmotivation him. DANIEL It’s no foroar-deal Merv INSIDE Guardian Our news, online, all the time. Your opportunity to tell Mid Canterbury of your next event or meeting Daily Events is a FREE DAILY LISTING of MID CANTERBURY EVENTS to be held in the immediate future by non-commercial organisations. To arrange for events to be published in Daily Events, clip this form, fill in the applicable details and hand in to our LEVEL 3 office on Burnett Street or post to: Ashburton Guardian, P.O. Box 77, Ashburton 7740, 5 (five) working days prior to the first publication. CONDITIONS: 1. Telephoned information NOT accepted. 2. Forms MUST be signed by an authorised representative of the organisation concerned. 3. A separate form MUST be submitted for each future event and may be lodged with the Guardian as far in advance as desired. For example: A club which meets monthly may submit, say, 12 separate forms simultaneously – one pertaining to each meeting scheduled over the following 12 months. 4. The organisation acknowledges that no responsibility for errors or omissions will be accepted by the Guardian Company.
Mountain weather hazards: Rain, Wind, Wind Chill.
Rain, with heavy falls possible until evening.
Wind at 1000m: E 40 km/h, dying out in the north in the morning, and everywhere in the evening.
Wind at 2000m: E gale 65 km/h, dying out in the north in the morning, everywhere by late evening.
Freezing level: About 2600m.
Sunday
Friday
15.4 12.1 12.8 2.0 0.4 4.6 147.0 S 26 1:11pm 13.8 10.6 –15.8 13.2 13.1 21.0 6.6 0.8 149.2 S 26 1:53pm 16.9 12.4 –6.8 0.2 ––SE 26 3:09pm
H 12:37am 1:02pm
Mostly cloudy. Showers, especially in the afternoon and early evening, when some possibly heavy and thundery.
Wind at 1000m: Light.
Freezing
H
L 6:46am 7:18pm
L 6:32am 7:02pm
1:20am 1:46pm 7:31am 7:57pm
1:10am 1:30pm 7:20am 7:45pm
1:04am 1:30pm 7:15am 7:41pm
new Nov 24 first qtr Dec 1 full Dec 8 last qtr Dec 16 SaturdaySundayMonday 20 10 19 12 18 9 18 10 18 10 18 11 18 12 16 12 15 9 16 11 15 10 16 14 24 11 22 11 19 9 21 9 21 10 23 12
2:03am 2:29pm 8:15am 8:37pm
1:56am 2:16pm 8:08am 8:29pm
1:47am 2:13pm 7:59am 8:21pm
5:52am 8:45pm 5:51am 8:46pm 5:50am 8:48pm
Thu SUN PROTECTION ALERT Data provided by NIWA PROTECTION REQUIRED Even on cloudy days – 9:20 5:10 ampm A broad low-pressure system with associated fronts affects the country, bringing heavy rain or showers to most places. The low drifts eastward across New Zealand through next week with unsettled weather for many places. FAMILY NOTICES 35 Ashburton Guardian Saturday, November 19, 2022 WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 Call me for all your real estate needs Mick Hydes 027 437 9696 mick.hydes@ mick.hydes@bayleys.co.nz Honest. Trustworthy. Local. WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 Call me for all your real estate needs Mick Hydes 027 437 9696 mick.hydes@bayleys.co.nz Honest. Trustworthy. Local. WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008 Call me for all your real estate needs Mick Hydes 027 437 9696 mick.hydes@bayleys.co.nz Honest. Trustworthy. Local. FUNERAL FURNISHERS MASTER MONUMENTAL MASON E.B. CARTER LTD For all your memorial requirements New headstones and designs Renovations, Additional inscriptions, Cleaning and Concrete work Carried out by qualified tradesmen. 620 East Street Ashburton Ph/Fax 308 5369 or 0274 357 974 ebcarter@xtra.co.nz NZMMMA Member FARRELL,
Things changed with Covid and to keep a small business going in those times has meant we have had to change the way we do things.
I initially started the business to support dairy farmers with their staffing needs. However, with the candidate-poor market we have suffered since Covid closed the borders, I have diversified into offering dairy farmers a lot more with regards to HR services and education on the best ways to retain their staff.
Retention is far cheaper than recruitment. Upskilling and training are a big part of keeping an employee happy and feeling like they are achieving. Our focus has been to assist farmers by keeping them on top of
performance reviews and such.
In our industry, there are two ways of recruiting. You can be what we call “bums-onseats’’, where the recruiter puts anyone in the job to make a fee. Or you can be what we are - a professional services company specialising in recruitment and HR consulting.
The difference is we sit down with our clients and get a good understanding of their business so that we can become an extension of it.
We see ourselves as their HR department and we go about matching the candidate not just to a skill set, but to the things you can’t teach such as ethics, morals, and personality.
After we place a person on
a farm, we stay in touch with both the client and candidate to ensure everyone is happy. If issues do arise, we go back to the farm to find solutions.
We never finish recruiting and say, “see you then, have a nice life’’. This is what makes our clients come back to us time and time again for honest and open discussion.
So, to celebrate our birthday, we would like to offer new clients a free farm visit for us to assess and advise on their staffing and general farming needs. We have our own in-house farm consultant, who has over 30 years’ experience, further enhancing our range of services. To take advantage of this offer, please feel free to contact us.
