Jason Gunn's mission to unlock the communicator in us all
How to get and stay motivated
The road ahead
Driving your business towards success
Maintaining your zen 7 tips to beat the back at work blues
Staying on track
The importance of goal setting
Mike is a friendly, approachable , and experienced real estate specialist achieving great results for his clients during these challenging times. With the markets being stressful for many people at present Mike is empathetic and driven to achieve the best possible results for you. To find out more, contact Mike, he is looking forward to hearing from you
Mike Goatley
Recent feedback:
Mike has excellent knowledge of the real estate market. He has an in-depth knowledge of building construction and it’s nuances, even as far as arranging high quality trades people to remedy and address any building compliance issues. Mike is also well informed on all legal and other compliance requirements. Mike is a very personable, efficient, dedicated real estate practitioner whom I have no hesitation in recommending — Tony
Welcome to Canterbury Today’s first edition for 2023 where we chat with Jason Gunn about his career in the media and his mission to unlock the communicator in us all.
With the working year now well under way, we look at ways to maintain your motivation in the months ahead, the importance of goal setting and offer seven tips to beat the back at work blues.
There are pieces on driving your business down the path to success, solving supply chain issues and what to expect with a general election on the horizon.
We also take a look at places to forge workplace bonds, how to attire yourself for the part, the vital importance of waste reduction and we look back at Jacinda Ardern’s time in office.
Throughout the magazine, features provide insights into successful companies and organisations, and the people working in them, and as always, we thank all our columnists for their expertise, along with the views, opinions and predictions of all those who contributed.
Editor
MAGAZINES TODAY OVERVIEW
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MAGAZINES TODAY MANAGEMENT
Gary Collins MANAGING DIRECTOR
Kylie Palermo GENERAL MANAGER OF OPERATIONS
Monice Kruger CHRISTCHURCH SALES MANAGER
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PRINTER
Viewpoints Pages 8-9
8 What on earth are you talking about?
The importance of having quality conversations
9 Positive signs for the year ahead Opportunities abound for Canterbury’s economy
9 Events Diary
Find out what’s on near you
Management Pages 5-23
5 Life and style
Items worthy of desire
10 Back in the saddle Maintaining motivation for the year ahead
11 Staying on track
The importance of goal setting
12 Top Gunn
Jason Gunn’s mission to unlock the communicator in us all
16 Threads of success
Attiring yourself for the part
17 Maintaining your zen
7 tips to beat the back at work blues
18 Reflections on leadership
Looking back at Jacinda
The
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Conditions of entry: One entry only per person and must be sent on the official entry form or as otherwise stated. Entry is free and open to all residents of New Zealand. All entrants must be over the age of 18, proof of identity and date of birth may be requested. Employees and their immediate families of Academy Group, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication are ineligible to enter. Winner(s) will be notified by email/phone. The judges’ decision is final, no correspondence will be entered into. No responsibility is accepted for late, lost or misdirected mail. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Academy Group, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever suffered (including but not limited to direct or consequential loss) or personal injury suffered or sustained, during the course of prize winning travel or in connection with any other prizes won. Academy Group, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication accept no responsibility for health, luggage, insurances, travel, personal expenses and transfers other than specified. Entries remain the property of Academy Group, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication and cannot be returned. Academy Group, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication reserves the right to photograph and publish winners. Entries may be used for further marketing purposes by Academy Group, the promoter and agencies associated with any promotion in this publication but are not made available to any third party.
Oakdale Desk
Start the new working year off right with this handsome desk crafted from solid American oak. It features soft and natural tones, beauty and durability, which is combined in the elegant Oakdale range. The timber is sourced from FSCcertified forests.
RRP: $1,899 www.earlysettler.co.nz
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
For the finest in listening experiences, look no further than the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless. With an audiophile-inspired acoustic system, adaptive noise cancellation and the premium look and feel, these headphones will elevate your listening experience. Make the sound perfect for you using the built-in EQ, presets, sound modes and sound personalisation feature which tailors the audio to your individual hearing.
RRP: $599.95 www.sennheiser-hearing.com
Alonzo Desk Chair
Grace your home office with this vintage inspired desk chair. With its channelled seat back and pyramid legs, it pro vides a slender silhouette. It is finished in began leather that ensures durability and a soft, tactile aesthetic. This winged desk chair is a versatile design and perfect for those who work from home.
RRP: $845 www.cocorepublic.co.nz
ELEKTRA Microcasa-a-Leva Espresso Coffee Machine
Electrify your mornings with coffee made in style. This coffee machine is the iconic lever operated machine and test results prove that it’s still the best. This stunning machine can provide simultaneous espresso and steaming of milk for lattes/flat whites. Not only does it make fantastic coffee, but it looks impressive enough to become the talking point of your kitchen.
RRP: $2,195 - $2,595 www.espressoroad.co.nz
Mens Sangfroid Automatic
This stunning watch is light and versatile as well as being the first mechanical watch to be designed, engineered and hand produced in New Zealand. It’s inspired by the 1950’s and has a silver tone to compliment any outfit. Beauties of this double alloy metal are brought to life by finishing every metal surface by hand. Marine Steel is built to endure outdoor adventure or any red-carpet events.
RRP: From $4,900 www.paceracer.co
At Summerset, we want to help you stay informed so that you can choose the best retirement lifestyle. Having helped over 7,300 people into new homes and having family members and friends alongside on this journey, we know how important it is to make a decision that you or your loved ones are comfortable with now - and in the future
Whether you love your freedom and independence or appreciate having a helping hand to keep things running smoothly, Summerset has got you covered. Summerset offers a variety of homes to suit different needs and tastes, as well as a range of extra ser vices should you need them.
At Summerset, we want residents to relax and enjoy their home and retirement lifestyle. We can take care of the chores you no longer want to do, which means freeing up your time to spend doing the things you enjoy or that are more important
Each village has an onsite proper ty team to look after home maintenance and take care of any repairs, replacements, or general upkeep like mowing the lawn and keeping fi t tings and fixtures in order. With great security and caring experts at hand, you can have peace of mind that your safety is our top priority.
We're proud of having a broad range of activities and living options including independent villas and apartments which are just like living on any other residential street, but with a whole lot of perks. You can come and go as you please and if your needs change, you can extend your level of support to suit. And if there is ever a need for more help with housework, hot meals or other chores Summerset serviced apartments offer the independence of village life, along with a range of support services, right through to rest home-level care.
If you are contemplating village life, we recommend above all else, to come and experience it yourself. We encourage you to spend time in a village, and at Summerset you can have a cuppa and treat in the cafe. On our open days, you can check out the facilities, talk with our team and chat to residents who are already loving the Summerset life.
We also recommend you:
• Talk the options over with people who care about you.
• Make a list of the things you're looking for now and in the years ahead.
• Check if the village you like has care available if you need it - or just in case you need it in the future.
• Get independent advice from a lawyer, preferably someone with experience in retirement villages, so you fully understand your contract.
If you decide to move into a Summerset village, there is always the reassurance of our Summerset Sure Money Back Guarantee. That means you have 90 days from moving into an independent living unit or serviced apartment to decide if Summerset is the right home for you.*
Come along and check us out. We're happy to share the Summerset life with you. We think it is ver y special.
Love the life you choose. summerset.co.nz
Rob Clark CEO of Learning Architects
• People are more likely to go the extra mile when they know that you genuinely care about them.
• You are more likely to receive honest feedback on aspects of a person’s job when you have established an authentic relationship.
Walking through Christchurch central city over the past couple of months, the full trams and queues in local cafes would indicate that business is booming in many places. And while this is obviously good news, ramping things up again quickly comes with its own challenges, especially in terms of staffing.
According to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce’s Quarterly Business Survey (October 2022), “Labour market shortages continue to wreak havoc, with nearly 50 percent of respondents finding it more difficult to retain staff now than 12 months ago”.
So, if we are to make the most of the current situation and avoid the risk of poor customer experience, failure to meet deadlines or even the possibility of having to turn away work, it is clear that we need to engage really well with our people.
The power of genuine connection
Having strong relationships is key to building a healthy organisational culture, particularly when you are asking people to go above and beyond.
Being well-connected to your staff and showing them you care can make your organisation more resilient and adaptable to whatever challenges come your way.
But fostering meaningful connections takes work; having open discussions helps establish and maintain these relationships.
How quality conversations make a difference:
• Connecting with people as individuals and gaining an understanding of their unique circumstances means you can provide personalised support as/when they need it.
• When change is needed, and particularly when needed fast, the communication channels are already open, the goodwill is already there and you can more easily adjust things ‘on the fly’.
Quality conversations involve two-way dialogue; they are not a tick box exercise. Of course, how and when you are able to organise these in a way that works for everyone will depend on the size and nature of your organisation.
For example, if yours is a small business with one or two staff, you might just have a chat across the room or pop out for a coffee.
If your organisation is larger, you may need to delegate these conversations to your managers, trusting them to keep their finger on the pulse; in turn, you then have quality conversations with them. Ideally if you can schedule these conversations so that they become routine, you will establish a pattern of regular feedback and connection that naturally builds relationships and improves your organisational culture.
What makes a quality conversation?
There are many aspects that make for a quality conversation, but probably the most important, is the ability to listen openly and ask questions.
If one-on-one intentional conversations don’t come naturally to you, asking people what they are currently working on is an easy conversation starter.
Not only is this a straightforward question to answer, it also enables you to connect in a work-related context and establish the purpose of the conversation, so that it links to them as an individual, as well as to your organisational goals.
When you are listening openly, one question can lead to another and if you are in a more senior position, the more open you need to be to new possibilities that you hadn’t previously considered.
A two-way conversation also allows you to get a sense of where someone is at, whether they are enjoying their job, what they may need help with, whether they’d like to take a step up or do something different. It also helps them to understand what you may need from them as a manager or leader.
CAN YOU SELL? DO YOU HUNT FOR PROSPECTS? IF SO WE NEED YOU, NOW!
Various remuneration packages are available comprising of retainer plus commission and bonuses.
Contact: Clive Greenwood on: (03) 961 5176 or email clive@academygroup.co.nz | www.magazinestoday.co.nz
This open approach not only ensures that you are more easily able to move the conversation towards its intended purpose, but it will also help facilitate a greater depth of understanding, which will better help you to identify problems, explore solutions, and facilitate new ideas and innovation together.
Good chat. Now what?
Research from Gallup suggests that one of the worst things a manager can do for an employee is to ignore them - presumably because they might just leave!
Not ideal at any time, but particularly precarious when staff are hard to come by.
This means that what you do with the information shared is as important as actually having the conversations in the first place.
When people feel included and heard they are more likely to be engaged and motivated to make a positive difference in your organisation, so how you feed back any resulting next steps and most of all, how you act on that information really matters.
Not only does it form the basis of the next quality conversation, but it allows you to form genuine connections and strengthen your organisational culture; something that will serve you well at any time, and especially when you and your team are under the pump. So, with that in mind, who do you most need to connect with in your organisation?
And if you’re wondering when you will have time to book it in, the sooner you have these conversations, the quicker you’ll connect, so really... there’s no time like the present!
• Your work ethic and discipline is essential
• Honesty is a must - humour appreciated
• You will need a good understanding of business and be able to talk to everyone from trades people to CEOs
• You MUST be oozing enthusiasm!
• Experience preferred, but not necessary as initial and on-going training and support provided
• Various remuneration packages available-made up of retainer plus commission, plus monthly bonuses, flexible hours and subsidised health insurance for you and your family.
Well, it’s been a long time coming, but how exciting is it to see the vibrancy and energy coming into the region again?
When you are listening openly, one question can lead to another and if you are in a more senior position, the more open you need to be to new possibilities that you hadn’t previously considered.
The year is off to a roaring start. Not only has Waitaha Cantebury been visited by the largest number of visitors in more than three years, bringing a reprieve to many of our local businesses, the vibrant character of our region is well and truly back.
Canterbury has also welcomed the return of the largest aeroplane in the world, the Emirates’ double-decker carrying up to 615 passengers, connecting us with one of the world’s largest transport hubs on a now-daily basis.
It’s not just about more people going to and from; it’s about connecting Canterbury to the rest of the world and increasing our access to other markets at a time when our global competitiveness has never been more important It is something to be proud of.
Compared to the previous three years and compared to other regions in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Canterbury economy is performing relatively well.
Sometimes we get bogged down in the doom and gloom that often comes in the form of news headlines forecasting the next great depression – but the reality is much different. The state of Canterbury’s economy differed greatly from that of the other two big cities. Our diversified economy with a strong primary industry and manufacturing backbone continues to keep our regional economy in a buoyant position.
Consumer spending habits may be changing as the cost of living becomes more challenging and inflationary pressures may be driving forecasts of a recession, yet when you look at the data, we’re not being hit as badly as others. So that’s something else to be positive about too.
The word is very much overused but there is something to be said about Cantabrians being resilient.
We have confidence that this year, despite the economic turbulence, the business community is in a position to take advantage of the opportunities as they
present themselves - and there is much to be excited about.
We do, however, have to be realistic about the very real challenges ahead.
The unpredictable nature of the economy is preventing many businesses from, simply put, getting on with business.
Labour market shortages aren’t going anywhere soon and nor are supply chain constraints - just look at the nationwide egg shortage.
Unfortunately, we expect both labour market shortages and supply chain constraints to endure throughout the year.
It is pleasing to see a commitment from the government that they intend to focus on the ‘bread and butter’ throughout the remainder of their term.
Refocusing on the big issues and filing away the parts of their policy agenda which aren’t a priority for many at the moment, is the right decision.
There is possibly nothing more important right now than curbing inflation which, is having such a palpable impact on many.
The continued battering of wild weather in the North Island is a reminder to expect the unexpected.
Unfortunately, the flooding has put a strain on many businesses and households - we’re thinking of them, as we all know mother nature can be challenging.
It’s a timely reminder to also consider our own contingency plans in the event of such disruptions, both at home and at work.
2023 is an election year, and while this is not the immediate or single answer to any of our woes, we are looking forward to engaging in constructive debates on behalf of Canterbury’s business community about which way New Zealand will go and the types of policies that will support the strong healthy New Zealand for all.
The onus is on our decision makers to present a plan that is ambitious for our future for all New Zealanders, and will allow businesses to invest, to grow, and to flourish. And we’re very excited about that because there are opportunities abound. Have a great year.
Shabby Chic Market Day
Sundays and some Wednesdays:
February 5 - September 3.
Where: 21 Connal St, Woolston
There is something for everyone at the Shabby Chic market days. Christchurch’s longest running vintage market has endless trinkets, treats and treasures. There’s a range of clothing, china, collectibles, earth friendly products and crafts not to be missed. To find out more visit Shabby Chic Market Day on Facebook.
www.facebook.com/ shabbychicmarketday
Saturday - Sunday, March 18-19
Where: Papa Hou (Treasure Box)
This circus is sure to have you captivated. Alone in the jungle, night begins to fall. In the distance there is light and movement. Explore a circus in a jungle made of light, colour and music at the new Papa Hou venue in Christchurch City. Tickets available from EventFinda. www.eventfinda.co.nz
Ocean Film Festival World Tour
Saturday, April 1
Where: Philip Carter Family Auditorium: Christchurch Art Gallery
This three-hour festival showcases and celebrates the ocean with footage taken above and below the water’s surface. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of this unique collection of short films from around the globe documenting the beauty and power of the ocean. The film features captivating cinematography, complete with awe-inspiring underwater scenes and wave sequences which have been captured from unbelievable vantage points. To buy your tickets visit humanitix. www. humanitix.com/nz
Autumn Salads Workshop
Thursday, April 27
Where: Two Raw Sisters, 20 Welles Street
Come along to this two-hour demonstration workshop to learn all the tricks and tips to making the most delicious Autumn salads. This workshop will educate you on substituting and using what you have in the fridge to reduce food waste. You will gain confidence around flavours and changing a recipe to suit your taste buds. You will leave inspired about how delicious, fun and exciting vegetables can be. To get your ticket for the workshop visit tworawsisters. www.tworawsisters.com
A Tribute to Broadway - New Zealand Army Band
Sunday, May 14
Where: The Piano - Centre for Music and the Arts
The versatile New Zealand Army Band featuring their world class vocalist, rhythm section and brass musicians present the class hits of Broadway. This is a show not to be missed. Celebrate and enjoy the experience of live music for one hour on Sunday 14th May. Tickets can be purchased through EventFinda or The Piano website. www.thepiano.nz
City Fringe Business Networking
Thursday mornings at 7:30am
Where: Raw Sugar Cafe
The City Fringe Business Networking meetings are a strong opportunity to meet with other like-minded business professionals. Meetings allow for networking amongst the community in a relaxed and supportive environment. This atmosphere adds balance to the busy week for any business owner. To find out more register your interest on The Networkers’ website. www.thenetworkers.co.nz
With the Christmas break rapidly disappearing in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for everyone to sink their teeth back into work.
However, that can sometimes be difficult –especially if you and your company have been away from the office for a couple of weeks. Finding the motivation to power through those first few weeks, and months, back is vital.
Harvard Business School Professor, Teresa M. Amabile and independent researcher, writer and consultant, Steven J.Kramer suggest focussing on progress.
Their piece, “Starting the New Year with Progress” in the Harvard Business Review, says research shows fostering progress in meaningful work is the most important way to keep people highly engaged at work.
“We call this phenomenon the progress principal; it works because people want to feel that they are contributing to something that matters. The new year represents a great opportunity for managers to put the progress principal in action,” Teresa and Steven say. However, this is something that can come across as “more easily said than done”.
Teresa and Steven say first, you should note the progress made by your team or organisation over the past year.
“The major accomplishments and the same wins, too. And, communicate the list broadly. All too often, progress gets ignored as people move from one task or project to another,” they say.
“Don’t stop with enumerating the years accomplishments. Celebrate that progress and recognise all those who contributed to it.
“People who work hard deserve the opportunity to celebrate and rejoice in what they have accomplished,” they say.
To continue on from celebration and move upwards, it’s important to then map our goals for profess in the upcoming year and say why that progress matters.
Teresa and Steven say you should be sure to include both broad, aspirational goals and smaller, interim milestones.
“For people to be fully engaged, they must feel they are making steady progress, not just slogging away in hopes of a major breakthrough.”
Lastly, you should ensure you are supporting people’s progress each day in the coming year.
The pair say for the progress principal to work, people should experience progress more than setbacks.
“Give them the goals, resources and the time they need to succeed and remove or reduce any obstacles to progress,” they advise.
Starting this kind of motivation and enthusiasm can be difficult enough. Maintaining it is the next step and business.govt.nz has some useful tips on maintaining motivation within your business.
It suggests ensuring you know what motivates the people within your business and understanding each person who works with you from more than just a surface level aspect.
“Knowing your team personally will help you find the right motivators for different people and how to apply them,” business.govt.nz says.
“For example, an outgoing team may value being thanked in front of the team. A more introverted employee may prefer an email or private word of thanks.”
Managing your expectations is another vital step and can make the difference between happy employees and unhappy employees.
According to economists at Warwick University, being happy at work makes people 12 percent more efficient while unhappy people achieved 10 percent less! So, keeping your business happy is vital.
You can do this by giving clear briefs when assigning projects and tasks.
Also, be clear about how you’d like people to behave; what is and is not okay in your business culture?
Being unclear about the rules and expectations fosters feelings of confusion, inadequacy and disrespect.
According to business.govt.nz, giving people ownership can be a great motivator.
“You can ask people to take part in business planning and strategy development, let them make decisions and take on more responsibility, such as leading a project or managing a new store.
“You can also encourage them to share ideas like new ways to approach health and safety.” However, it’s important not to give employees more responsibility that they’re ready for. This can make people feel as though they’re failing because they’re overwhelmed which, in turn, whittles away at their passion and motivation.
A big point that business.govt.nz makes is ensuring your employees are paid at market rates.
“Keep an eye on job sites or talk to recruiters to see what other people are paying,” they say. “Your employees may feel undervalued if they’re underpaid.”
Finally, make sure you’re available and ready to have conversations with members of your company. Studies show that attention from employers is very motivating.
Motivation really is the key to company progress so enjoy the new year and good luck! CT
We call this phenomenon the progress principal; it works because people want to feel that they are contributing to something that matters. The new year represents a great opportunity for managers to put the progress principal in action.
Yes, when you reached the end of 2022, you could look back and be proud of all you accomplished. This moment of proud reflection however, needs to be just that – a moment –before turning your attention to the year ahead.
According to Health Navigator New Zealand, having a goal helps motivate you and gives you direction in general everyday life.
“You may have one goal or several and they may be short or long-term. Whatever you’re aiming to achieve, it’s never too late to start.”
They also suggest research shows setting goals and working towards them can contribute to your overall happiness. There are many different strategies to set goals. Start with deciding what your goals are by doing a self-journaling session or creating a vision board.
Writing down your goals and developing a plan on how you will achieve them is an important part of the goal setting process.
Health Navigator New Zealand says, “Writing your goals down helps clarify what you want to achieve and increases your chances of sticking to them”.
They also suggest that, “You may encounter setbacks on your journey towards achieving your goals. The key is to not give up.
“If you hit a roadblock or something isn’t working, you can always try a different approach or re-adjust some of the steps [if needed] in order to achieve your goal.”
Breaking down your goals into measurable stages will help you feel as if you can achieve them in a timely manner. Using the acronym SMART is one way to help stay on track. Goals which are achievable and realistic means you are more-likely to be self-motivated to strive for achievement throughout the year.
SMART goals are:
Specific
Make sure your goals are specific enough so you know exactly what you are working towards. Breaking this down can also help with feeling overwhelmed when wanting to set your mind to a task.
Measurable
Ensuring you have a plan on how you can measure your goals is important. Facing the dreaded feeling of not moving forward can be disheartening. Measuring your goals in steps means the outcome will feel possible.
Achievable
This is not to say you can’t ‘reach for the stars’ with your goals, but ask yourself if they are achievable within your current circumstances. What changes do you need to implement in your day-to-day life to ensure you stay on track?
Realistic
Similar to achievable here! You should travel but how much do you need to save? Want to eat healthier? You might need to buy less dinners out. Be realistic with yourself and know goals require consistent and realistic effort.
Timely
Putting a timeframe on your goals can help motivate you. If goals are set too far in the future, they may feel impossible to complete.
Or, if you don’t allow yourself enough time you may feel unaccomplished. Finding the right balance with time and goal setting is key here. Reviewing goals periodically means you keep revisiting and reflecting on your progress. Keep on track with your goals by being honest with yourself about what stage you’re at throughout the year.
All of the SMART goal strategies work together to ensure you’re well on your way to accomplishing your goals and dreams. Be realistic with yourself about how you will work towards them and you’ll be one step closer to them coming true before you know it.
Health Navigator New Zealand says, “Setting goals that draw on personal motivations produces greater confidence in our ability to change and greater sense of ownership over the process”.
Personalising your goals to suit your personal motivations is one way to ensure you pick the right goals and they ‘stick’.
“The importance of ownership for personal motivation is captured nicely in what is known as the self-determination theory of motivation.
“This place a high level of importance on doing what we find to be intrinsically motivating or working from what is inherently rewarding.”
Selecting goals which come from a place of personal value over external validation will also mean achieving your goal will feel that much more satisfying.
Throughout the year make sure to look after all aspects of your hauora wellbeing including mental and physical health. Goal setting should be a positive experience where you can take time to understand what you envision your year to look like. Setting goals in the New Year can be daunting and exciting. Looking ahead into the future can feel impossible but with small, consistent steps, you will be able to see change in your life. CT
If you hit a roadblock or something isn’t working, you can always try a different approach or re-adjust some of the steps [if needed] in order to achieve your goal.
Jason
A positive energy fills the room. Jason Gunn who’s been in the television and broadcasting industry for over 35 years can make anyone in the room feel comfortable because he makes you feel like you’re talking to an old friend.
As I sat down on the sofa in Jason’s Easily Said office my eyes glanced around the room. In his creative space, there’s a light-up On Air sign, green screen, and whiteboard to plan workshops, keynotes and courses for 2023. This is where he produces, videos, talks, and edits his work, which he loves doing.
Before I could ask him anything he asks me a question about why I got into journalism; it’s like the roles have reversed. He listens intently, and then I ask him my first question and quickly gathered that Jason doesn’t want to talk about himself, he wants to talk about everyone else in his life.
Jason grew up on Reading Street in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch, in a cul-de-sac, which was many things to him, he says. He’s a massive sports fan and the street he grew up on reminded him of the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He also sang and did local productions there, so, the street has shaped Jason regarding who he is, he says.
His mum is very social and a great storyteller, so Jason learned a lot from her. She was a stay-at-home mum and his dad worked at the university around the corner. Jason and his brother Andrew – who’s currently a writer of feature films, TV shows and for Jason - were lucky, he says.
She would drop them to every soccer practice and pick them up for every drama thing, which Jason says is everything.
The Gunn brothers grew up in a household where they gave things a go.
“This sounds arsey but I went through the first chapter of my life as ‘oh, you’re Andrew Gunn’s brother,’ which was awesome, I was so proud to be that. Well, the poor bugger, the last few years has been like ‘oh, you’re Jason Gunn’s brother.’ He’s a whole lot more than that.”
Andrew is very smart and helped Jason with school by teaching him when he didn’t understand something.
“Andrew explained things well, which is why he is such an amazing writer, especially for children,” Jason says.
The parents let the boys be who they were. They let Andrew be smart and they let Jason be his funny self.
“And I’m so grateful of that.”
Answering a question about his favourite subject at school wouldn’t be as long as his last answer, Jason says. Turns out it was just as long as his last answer.
Long story short, Jason liked drama at school, so he could entertain people on stage and see the audience smile. “This is a really cool thing,” he thought.
Fast-forward to 2017 when Jason suffered a heart attack out of nowhere, he had to take five pills, which made him feel like he aged 25 years, he says.
One day he wasn’t feeling the best, so he took it upon himself to post on social media that he wasn’t feeling great about taking these pills. He wanted to see if others have felt the same way, and that maybe it was the way he was framing it and instead needed to see the pills as a superpower.
If people were taking tablets for whatever reason then, “don’t feel old, just feel like we’ve got a new little journey we’re on,” he posted. Someone alluded to committing suicide but after seeing Jason’s post they told him they were going to stick around for a bit. Jason reached out to get them help.
“Wow, this is not me being anything special. I’m just an average Joe human who just happened to post the right message at the right time that the right person needed to hear.”
Jason didn’t grow up thinking he’d go into the television and broadcasting industry. But,
when he was working at More FM’s drive show on the afternoons and Classic Hits, he was making “stupid money” and still decided to leave after he had a heart attack as he didn’t like the culture.
Easily Said’s sales/marketing and producer Emma Turnbull says to Jason it wasn’t a creative outlet for him. They exchange smiles.
Now Jason and his lovely wife - who’s Aotearoa’s prime children’s television producer - Janine Morrell-Gunn have four children: Eve (33), Grace (28), Faith (23), and Louis (19). His children keep him young and there’s no one else he’d rather hang with, he says.
“I just adore them,” he says smiling.
Emma tells Jason he’s always putting his family before his career. Jason had many opportunities to move, even overseas, but he reminded himself of what his son mentioned to him one day in terms of what success looks like. He didn’t want to disrupt his family’s lives and move them elsewhere.
“Is it living in London away from his mum, dad and brother; is that success?” He wondered. He decided to buy 10 acres out in Tai Tapu, 20 minutes out of Christchurch and live his life close to his loved ones.
“We’re all about family first. It’s everything.”
Jason’s not putting on a show or being someone he’s not, Emma adds.
I don’t believe in fame. There’s fame but I don’t think in New Zealand we have any form of fame. I don’t believe the word celebrity.
“You are the same person you are on screen as you are off-screen,” Emma says to Jason while looking at him admiringly. “Which is great because it means sharing your good times and your bad times.”
This is why people can relate to and connect with Jason, she concludes.
Personally, I don’t know anyone that hasn’t heard of Jason Gunn before, but what’s his take on it?
“I don’t believe in fame. There’s fame but I don’t think in New Zealand we have any form of fame. I don’t believe the word celebrity. Famous, none of that! Stars… ooh, don’t get me started. Influencers – don’t… don’t get me started on influencers,” Jason exclaims while making Emma laugh.
Jason thinks he was part of a simple time when people used to watch him on children’s television shows with their families.
People still come up to Jason and say, “‘Hey Jase!’ And you’re thinking, what an insane thing I have been given – I can walk around a hospital and people can come up and go, ‘Oh hi Jason’ and you’re going ‘Hi, how are you?’”
Jason says in a friendlier, higher-pitched voice.
Jason’s only human, so he can get self-doubt and self-confidence issues. He could be talking to 700 people on a stage and the next day he could whisper to Emma, “I don’t know if that went well last night.”
Jason and Janine established their production company WhitebaitMedia 23 years ago when Jason left radio and went back into television, meanwhile, Janine was still head of children’s TV at the time.
In the bigger picture, Jason doesn’t have as much to do with WhitebaitMedia as much as Janine, or at least not in their Christchurch based-office.
“Janine certainly wears the pants,” Jason says.
“Jason has creative input,” Emma adds.
“You’re like the sun and the moon.”
Jason likes to be on the camera and Janine behind the camera. However, Janine is just as creative as Jason, if not more, he says.
Easily Said was established three years ago after Jason’s heart attack when his son Louis said, “Hey you’re not going back to radiothat’s not what success looks like”.
Jason got advice from his good friend Phil Keoghan who hosts The Amazing Race to start his own company. Easily Said is a communications training company that teaches all sorts of individuals and businesses to have the confidence to talk, learn how to tell stories and speak from the heart, rather than just the head, as Jason puts it.
“You know, often you’ve talked to me about coaching people on how to talk, you should do that! There are lots of people who would really benefit from that,” Phil said to Jason.
Jason didn’t know what that would look like but thought maybe he can do it and since then it’s evolved.
“I’ve discovered what Easily Said is - it’s really how I help people connect with people and almost give people permission to be themselves and to tell their story. Because that’s all I’ve always tried to do. Look at the camera and connect with people. Stand on a stage and connect with people.
“Easily Said has changed now. It’s a more focused thing. I thought it was ‘I’m gonna help you speak better’ ngahhh, no!“ He says in a high-pitched tone. He reverts now sitting back on his chair. “It’s adapted and it’s changed. And that’s okay, if you wait until you think you’ve exactly got it, you might never do it.”
In terms of Easily Said’s schedule, Jason’s always busy doing something different most days of the week. He might be doing zoom calls with overseas clients, delivering a keynote speech somewhere in the country, or going to businesses and holding a workshop.
The team also wants to open up a workshop at WhitebaitMedia, so people can learn from Jason about how to become great communicators while seeing how the magical world of television works.
Emma and personal assistant Xenia Traill work alongside Jason to ensure he’s organised and not too overloaded.
Easily Said strives to keep growing. Jason wants to do more online training because he believes that’s where the future is heading; offering online courses like a subscription where he can provide content, interview people and teach communication.
Growing Easily Said will also involve attracting as many businesses as possible, with the goal being teaching the right people how to make a difference through communication, he says. When it comes to public speaking, Jason advises if someone gets nervous talking to the camera because they don’t know where to look, then they can pretend like it’s only one person watching, so it’s like having a one-onone conversation.
Advice entrepreneurs starting out can follow is learning to chunk everything they need down into small pieces by doing one thing at a time.
They should ask themselves why they’re doing this, vulnerability is a great thing and makes great content, upskill to keep learning, and Janine always tells Jason when he’s feeling stuck, “It will all be alright in the end. And if it’s not alright, it’s not the end.”
At the end of the day, Jason loves seeing people talk and making a difference when they entertain or make an audience feel some type of way.
“That’s what makes my heart sing.” CT
I’ve discovered what Easily Said is - it’s really how I help people connect with people and almost give people permission to be themselves and to tell their story. Because that’s all I’ve always tried to do. Look at the camera and connect with people. Stand on a stage and connect with people.
Our skilled & dedicated fabrication team is headed by Michael Field who has been in the trade for over 20 years, working in all areas of metal fabrication, and has worked on projects such as The Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre, Christchurch Hospital & Riverside Market. He, and his team, provide a level of service that is unmatched, and they ensure that they exceed our clients expectations by meeting deadlines & budgets.
Industrial and agricultural equipment glass, all vehicle types and all insurance work undertaken.
The team at Waimak Windscreens have over 60 years of combined experience in the industry and are able to make repairs to, or replace auto glass in everything from your family car to your caravan and from commercial vehicles to your cherished classic.
We also make life easy by offering loan vehicles so that you can get on with your day whilst we get on with the job at hand.
By Timmi Aplin-Barrett
Clothing can say a lot about a person and influence how you feel. Dressing appropriately for work is one thing though – feeling good in what you wear is another. Say hello to the new year with a few wardrobe updates. Here’s a collection of sharp new clothes to inspire your look and make you feel like a total boss.
This business shirt is a unique take on a classic shirt and brings a little street style to the office. Made of 100 percent cotton and available in three colours (light blue, navy and white), this shirt has a stand out navy and red stripe tape detailing that runs along the raglan and down the side of the arm.
RRP: $299 | www.frenchfreddie.co.nz
Add a splash of interest to your wardrobe with this foliage print shirt. It offers a smart alternative to stripes and checks. Made from 100% organic cotton and featuring a French front opening with vintage-look resin buttons, it’s sure to make an impact. It has knife pleats at the back yikes to allow for greater range of movement and a curved hem.
RRP: $139 | www.roddandgunn.com
Simple but powerful, these trousers are a high waisted, tailored fit. Available in five colours (regatta blue, black, chalk, bold blue and rust), these trousers come with function slant pockets and finished hems. A wardrobe must, this style of trouser is versatile and can go with anything.
RRP: $229 | www.witchery.co.nz
Finish your look with this jacket crafted from a rich wool-linen blend that’s woven in Italy. It features a light-weight and textured hopsack weave. Available in seven colours (chambray, marine, midnight, mocha, pine, sand and woodrose), this jacket has a single-breasted closure which is easily adaptable for both relaxed and formal settings.
RRP: $399 | www.roddandgunn.com
A good work outfit needs a blazer or a jacket and this doubled breasted blazer adds a sense of importance and style. Featuring statement buttons and peaked lapels, it is fully lined and has functional flap pockets. It fits true to size and has long, set-in sleeves with split, buttoned cuffs.
RRP: $369.90 | www.witchery.co.nz
For a slightly more relaxed feel while still looking sharp, these pants are a must-have. Available in three colours (black, navy and sand), these pants are the ultimate in versatility – it’s easy to dress them up or down without having to try too hard. They have been Garment Dyed to give that soft, lived in feel with natural colour variation over time. They feature zip and button fastening, double welt reinforced back pockets, belt loops and angle pocket detailing.
RRP: $129.99 | www.barkers.co.nz
By Natasha Parrant
Many people may be wondering if they can maintain their holiday zen for a longer period of time; well, it’s possible.
A couple of psychologists discuss what’s happening and how people can slow down the feeling of being in holiday mode, so people can feel calm and collected for longer.
Psychology Today’s ‘Seven Tips to Beat the Post-Holiday Blues’ article was written by Doctor of Psychology Margaret Wehrenberg - who specialises in depression management techniques – suggesting why people get postholiday blues and how to overcome them. She says going back to work feels like a sudden let-down because people have to adjust their routines. They can feel empty, alone and/or depressed. One way to open a system of memory is by feeling emotion.
Why is this?
People’s brains use mood/emotion as the entrance into a system of other similar thoughts, feelings and moods. The brain stores memories in systems that connect to related events or types of information.
“A specific emotion opens the network that holds memories of other times when you felt that same feeling,” Margaret wrote.
When listening to music, someone may feel all sorts of emotions flowing through, which can connect to different memories or thoughts.
How can people move forward?
“In the case of the post-holiday blues network, knowing what the mood is about - makes it much easier to escape,” Margaret wrote.
People may have come back from the holidays feeling a sense of loss and even if their holiday was stressful, they are most likely to have had a lot of activities involved, which keeps the brain feeling stimulated.
Once the holidays are over the post-holiday blues can occur.
“Loss feels very much like depression and depression makes it harder to get out of that network.”
However, if people can define the sense of loss, they can find a way to feel happier again. The feeling of loss just means less stimulation, she says. For instance, people can feel empty when a holiday is coming to an end, even if they are happy to be home.
Margaret’s suggestions to overcome the post-holiday blues
1. Talk to someone verbally rather than over text.
2. Go out of the house and get fresh air.
3. Re-read greeting cards or old emails from friends and family over the years.
4. Do some exercise.
5. Look forward not backward –people can think about something or things they’d like to make happen this year.
6. Cook.
7. Distract yourself from holiday mode –people can watch TV or do something that isn’t going to remind them of what they did on holiday.
“Then — suddenly — it’s over. It’s done. Overnight, you lose the sense of excitement, you lose the activities filling your time and you lose the involvement with other people. The highly anticipated moments are done,” Margaret notes.
To conclude, Margaret says people should control their mood by keeping themselves busy and stimulated to remove the “negative network of loss and get out of the post-holiday blues.”
Waitaha Primary Health’s primary mental health manager, Paul Wynands, endorses the strategies Margaret suggests.
He also shares his thoughts and says people are in holiday mode when they’re on holiday but when they go back to work it’s not the same feeling. People can’t go back to the beach, so then they’re back to a system where they have “demand expectations”.
“The brain likes to go back to memories we like to remember, now it’s at a loss once we go back into a regular 9-5 work routine.”
Paul says this state of loss is normal because when people come from a high level of freedom to then being confined to a certain routine, it’s different and is “a sense of loss of what we had”.
“Post-holiday blues is normal, as we have moved from a holiday place of freedom to choose how we spend our time. It hopefully has been a time of great memories with family, friends and having new experiences.
“In contrast, being back at work might be ‘ground-hog day’ for some and people might feel resentful of the constraints work puts on our time and freedom, compared to being on holiday.
“We could also be returning refreshed from a holiday but become quickly deflated as we face the same workplace with its unchanging issues, politics and demands.
“It takes a while for our brains to adjust to work routine again, so the key message is to look after yourself and involve yourself in activities that provided you with that holiday ‘feel-good’ factor.” CT
Everyone looks forward to the holidays… it’s a time when you can relax and enjoy doing different activities that don’t include work.
It takes a while for our brains to adjust to work routine again, so the key message is to look after yourself and involve yourself in activities that provided you with that holiday ‘feel-good’ factor.
RT Hon. Jacinda Ardern, previous Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand, was a leader, mentor and influencer. We reflect on her time in office as the nation’s 40th serving Prime Minister.
Whether you’re a Labour party supporter or not, there is no denying Jacinda Ardern is one of the most influential women in New Zealand’s history. She is passionate, fiery, kind, confident and, led Aotearoa with determination.
Her unique personal approach to politics carved waves of change by challenging norms of women in positions of power. She stood up to her opposers, loved the grieving and showed compassion in a style we rarely experience in leaders globally.
Like any leader, she has received harsh criticism. As well as brutal critiques of her choices and personal self. Some choices arguably cost the country and there was negative pushback on some decisions. However, she gave New Zealand - and the world - five years of examples on how to lead. When announcing her resignation, her closing statement reflected her journey throughout the role of Prime Minister.
“[I hope] I leave behind a belief that you can be kind, but strong. Empathetic, but decisive. Optimistic, but focused.”
During 2020 when the world changed forever, Ardern delivered a world-leading response to the Covid-19 outbreak in Aotearoa.
Her response to the Coronavirus pandemic would set her apart from leaders across the globe. Her carefully curated and clear response could be argued as the defining factor for her recognition across the world.
The initial strategy of elimination including border closures and lockdown ensured the healthcare system could survive.
Following this was the use of a mitigation strategy, which kept infections and deaths low. The phrase ‘Team of five million’ created a sense of social cohesiveness during this time.
Christchurch Mosque Attacks
Ardern was praised for her authentic leadership response during the Christchurch Mosque terror attacks on March 15, 2019, taking the lives of 51 people.
She promoted unity and compassion during this time, moving quickly to tighten New Zealand gun laws. Just six days post-attacks military-style semi-automatic firearms were banned.
More than 62,000 prohibited firearms in circulation were removed from the gun buyback system.
In May 2019 Ardern joined forces with France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, establishing the Christchurch Call to Action Summit.
United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, praised Ardern for her solidarity with victims and families.
It was clear Ardern’s compassion to the Muslim community was felt across the world.
Whakaari/White Island Eruption
Another tragedy hit New Zealand when the Whakaari/White Island erupted on December 9, 2019.
[I hope] I leave behind a belief that you can be kind, but strong. Empathetic, but decisive. Optimistic, but focused.
Her response to the disaster was praised when she met with the first responders following the disaster, recognising them for going above and beyond the line of duty.
In an address to parliament later on, Ardern spoke to the families of victims saying, ”I say to those who have lost and grieve - you are forever linked to our nation and we will hold you close”.
Once again, Ardern’s personal approach to families and her ability to show kindness in times of tragedy continued to make her an influential and memorable world leader.
First New Zealand Prime Minister to march in a Pride parade
Ardern was the first Prime Minister to march in a Pride parade in 2018 in support of the LGBTQIIA+ community.
She attended the parade with Finance Minister Grant Robertson.
Ardern stated at the time, “Let’s all recommit to keep doing the work that’s required and make sure that we show international solidarity, so that everyone can celebrate who they are, no matter where they live in the world”. This act of support could be considered the start of the influential and recognisable ‘Jacindamaina’ which was referenced throughout her time in office.
Under Ardern’s leadership the introduction of the Matariki public holiday was established. Recognising this day by establishing the Māori New Year as a national holiday represented another step forward for Aotearoa.
Ardern’s style of leadership was modern and progressive, bringing out-dated ideologies ‘up to scratch’ in the government house.
The Matariki public holiday will be an annual celebration for New Zealand, continuing to weave our diverse national identity together.
Living in a post-Covid world meant New Zealanders have been faced with extreme living costs in recent times. During 2022, Ardern introduced the ‘Cost of Living Support Payment’ to help people and families during this time.
The payments were split into three automatic payments for eligible New Zealanders. This was said to help ‘soften the impact of rising global inflationary pressures affecting New Zealanders’.
The cost of living support payment was offered as a complimentary support during this time and showed Ardern’s [and central government] ability to recognise the struggles of the ‘average’ person experiencing financial hardship during this time.
Several Labour Party members have either resigned or been fired due to allegations of bullying and the mishandling of such complaints.
Labour Party President Nigel Haworth resigned in 2019 after being challenged regarding his handling of serious allegations against a Labour staffer, which included allegations of sexual assault, bullying and intimidation.
Ardern said the party handling of this issue had caused further harm and additional distress to the complainants.
During 2022, Labour MP Gaurav Sharma was suspended from the caucus over what
Ardern called “repeated breaches of trust.”
He also accused the party of bullying and criticised Ardern and her government for refusing to investigate his side of the story over staff issues.
The New Zealand farming community has held several, large-scale protests during Ardern’s leadership, citing issues ranging from the emissions tax and the three waters proposal to the electric vehicle initiative.
Groundswell, one of the main organisations representing farmers, have been very vocal in their dissatisfaction with Ardern’s treatment of farmers.
It boils down to a sense of unfairness. Many farmers feel they’re facing too many rules too quickly while other industries aren’t facing any rules at all.
Farmers are facing rising costs and some are worried they won’t be able to continue their jobs.
The Labour Party opposition and many members of the public have been criticising Ardern and her office regarding their “softness” on crime.
The numbers of shootings, ram raids, thefts and, general criminal activity has been rising rapidly recently.
The National Party says that, under the leadership of Ardern, there has been a 21 percent increase in violent crime, 2000 more gang members, a 45 percent increase in gang membership, and a 31 percent increase in assaults.
More and more Kiwis state they’re feeling unsafe in their communities and find the correlation between the increase in crime and Ardern in office hard to ignore.
Although Ardern’s initial COVID-19 pandemic response was praised both nationally and internationally, political parties and New Zealand citizens began to tire of the endless lockdowns - especially Aucklanders.
Some groups began accusing Ardern of infringing on basic human rights and many people were simply sick of any real progress.
As time went on, criticism on Ardern’s handling of the pandemic began to outweigh the praise and it seemed as if she might be “giving up”.
Some view her resignation as Prime Minister as her final act of “giving up”.
The Covid-related protests were a real blow for Ardern as for over a month, people occupied the Beehive lawn and many criticised her for not addressing the She and the leader of the opposition responded to threats from the protestors by refusing to meet with them.
Former Prime Minister Jim Bolger criticised Ardern and her government, saying they needed to “get off their high horses” and speak to the protestors.
The protests were an anti-mandate and antivaccination occupation of parliament grounds and ended in violence and multiple arrests.
Ardern received a lot of love and hate during her time as the Prime Minister of Aotearoa. She seemed to have a bigger overseas attraction than in her own country.
Understandably, the role of Prime Minister is not easy. Ardern did her best to come up with various solutions to solve the many issues Kiwis faced over the five and a half years [2017-2023] she served as Prime Minister.
Ardern had many wonderful moments in which she accomplished a lot such as fighting for people’s rights, seeking justice, supplying support payments, representing inclusiveness and diversity, and protecting Aotearoa.
She also had ‘not so good’ moments such as failing to handle serious allegations issues within the party, deciding against viewing the Oranga Tamariki video, giving unrealistic regulations to farmers facing rising expenses, her controversial handling of Covid-19, as well as facing anti-mandate and anti-vaccinated protestors.
Ultimately Ardern is only human. She has emotions, thoughts and feelings like everyone else.
She served Aotearoa well and will remain a memorable and significant leader in New Zealand’s history.
For now, Ardern deserves to have peace, be surrounded by loved ones and to take a break from the courageous and brutal role as Prime Minister. CT
Images: All photos subject to Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. https://creativecommons. org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode
Let’s all recommit to keep doing the work that’s required and make sure that we show international solidarity, so that everyone can celebrate who they are, no matter where they live in the world.Image by Kirk Hargreaves, via Wikimedia Commons.
A lot of recurring crimes have been committed lately such as ram raids, drunk driving and stolen goods, which have gradually gotten worse due to a variety of influences. These issues are why it’s important for Aotearoa businesses to prevent crime.
RNZ stated retail crime has gotten worse in the past few years with thousands of more cases being recorded between 2020 and 2021 and 2021 to 2022.
Police figures show that robbery, burglary and thefts have increased majorly, as police received 241,638 reports in 2022 compared to 208,445 cases being reported in 2021.
According to the Beehive.govt.nz website, increased crimes have caused the government to establish crime prevention programmes for small retailers and dairies, as posted on December 15, 2022.
The way these programmes work is there’s $6 million in new government funding for councils and providers, which started over Christmas.
The new $4,000 fog cannon subsidy scheme went live in February, and small retailers who have dealt with robbery are eligible for crime prevention products.
The government is providing extra solutions to improve safety in small shops and at-risk nearby places in Aotearoa, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and small business minister Stuart Nash says.
“As we move into the Christmas period it’s important to provide an update for retailers on the work the government and police are doing to help keep them safe,” Chris says.
“The fog cannon scheme will be open to eligible small retailers and dairies that want a fog cannon installed, with a $4000 subsidy paid directly to the supplier and retailers paying the balance,” Stuart says.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has declared that retailers can use the scheme from February this year. Retailers who are interested in accessing the scheme can do so on business.govt.nz.
The earlier retailers show interest, the easier it’ll be for the government to get a rough idea of how many people need the subsidy.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is a 16-day cultural festival celebrated annually depending on the sighting of the New Moon.
The New Year is about removing the ‘bad’ or ‘old’ and welcoming the ‘new’ into your life. Traditionally it’s also a time to worship ancestors and pray for good harvests.
Every year is associated with a different animal. This year, the festivities start on January 22nd and is the year of the Rabbit. New Year traditions vary widely but all share the same idea of welcoming in luck and prosperity for the year.
Legends and telling stories are at the heart of the festival traditions. One legend states the Chinese New Year stemmed from an ancient battle against the Nian. The Nian was a beast which returned annually to eat people and livestock.
To scare the monster, people displayed red paper, burned bamboo, lit candles and wore red clothes. Many of these traditions remain a common part of the celebration period today. During the festival, children receive lucky money in red envelopes from their elders. This money claims to help transfer fortune from the elders to children. These red pockets are also known as ‘money to anchor the year’ and typically require grandchildren to perform a Kowtow.
A Kowtow is where one kneels, places both hands on the floor and then knocks their head on the ground facing towards their grandparents. This is done before receiving the gift and shows an ultimate sign of respect.
Food is an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Like many cultures around the world, food is a way to reunite and reconnect with family and friends.
There are some foods which are considered ‘lucky’ during this time. In particular, fish symbolises abundance and surplus. Dumplings and spring rolls are lucky for increasing wealth and sweet rice balls show family togetherness.
There are some New Year superstitions you mustn’t do during this time of year too. For example, sweeping your floors on New Year’s Day is considered a bad omen which will ‘sweep’ your luck away. Eating porridge may also be looked down upon, as it may be thought of as a ‘poor mans’ breakfast leading to financial challenges in the new season. Washing your clothes or hair on New Year’s Day may also be considered ‘washing’ your fortune away.
Whether Chinese New Year is a tradition you are familiar with or a cultural festival you want to participate in, there is much to learn from this season.
The New Year is all about celebrating and spending time with friends and family, eating delicious food, decorating your home in red and being wrapped up in the festivities welcoming the year ahead.
Happy New Year, Xīnnián kuàilè! CT
Ministers believe the scheme needs to be practical for suppliers, including easily accessible and simple to use for retailers and dairy owners.
Retailers will need to meet specific requirements, so they can use the subsidy such as:
• They must have no more than two stores with five or fewer paid employees
• Must have a front view of the street (shops in a mall where security is already offered won’t be eligible).
When the subsidy launches in February, retailers and dairy owners who are eligible are advised to go on the businesss.govt.nz website and apply there. They’ll need to say whether they are eligible and have basic business details to verify who they are.
“If approved, they’ll be given a contact list of approved suppliers. It’ll be up to retailers to work with suppliers to get the fog cannons installed. “After installation, the supplier will invoice MBIE and receive up to $4,000 as the subsidy. The retailer will need to pay the supplier any remaining costs,” Stuart says. CT
For instance, faulty goods and services bought by businesses and consumer problems caused by suppliers.
On the website [www.consumerprotection. govt.nz] where it says ‘Solving problems with suppliers: Your rights when there’s a problem with something you’ve bought for your business from a supplier’, there’s information on consumer problems caused by suppliers such as, “What to do if a customer complaint is due to a problem caused by your supplier or manufacturer – and how to take it further if they won’t take responsibility”.
The website states when customers complain, the problem can be caused by the business’ suppliers. They may have a faulty product, shipping delays or broken products due to the courier.
It’s best for business people to advise their customers that they’ll solve the issue. Once an issue has been resolved, that’s when business owners can complain to their suppliers.
The business owner has to give their customer a solution and tell them they’re working with
their supplier to sort the issue. It’s been recommended by Consumer Protection NZ to update customers regularly.
Complaining to their supplier
Once business owners give customers a solution, they should let their suppliers know there’s been a problem. Before making contact with the supplier, they should check the contract to see if:
• Any terms/regulations have been ignored
• It displayed any rights to compensation.
The supplier has contracted out of any regulations when selling to other businesses
such as the Consumer Guarantees Act or Sale of Goods Act.
According to Consumer Protection NZ, “Business-to-business sales often include a written statement contracting out of the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) — meaning the buyer can’t use this law to claim a remedy if something goes wrong. This law protects those buying for domestic or household use only.”
Entrepreneurs might be able to claim under other regulations/terms of their contract. It’s also a good idea for them to have trustworthy relationships with their suppliers.
If there’s an issue, then the suppliers should want to stop it from happening again, even if they’ve been outsourced.
Entrepreneurs should also bring paperwork from the sale, evidence of the issue and other helpful information. Even if they can’t get a
refund or solution, their supplier should want to know the issue, so they can assure it won’t ever happen again.
Entrepreneurs have contractual rights written in the warranty, contract or sales agreement. They might also have some rights via common law, regulations made by judges when deciding cases, and some acts.
“Businesses can only rely on the Consumer Guarantees Act (CGA) if something goes wrong with a product, service or vehicle that’s usually for household or personal use. Even then, the supplier can contract out of the CGA when selling to other businesses.”
Therefore, entrepreneurs should carefully research commercial contracts before signing and get legal support when they can. CT
It’s best for business people to advise their customers that they’ll solve the issue. Once an issue has been resolved, that’s when business owners can complain to their suppliers.
Blank Space Strategy (BSS) is an expert boutique digital marketing consultancy. Different from a typical marketing agency, BSS is focussed on supporting small business start-ups looking to grow.
Founder of BSS, Fraser Reeves, suggests some tips for businesses looking to move forward on their entrepreneurial quest and improve business success.
“At BSS we integrate ourselves with partners, founders and leaders. We provide services particularly in the digital marketing setting and digital strategy aspect,” he says.
“For example, market analysis research, geographical research or suggesting marketing strategy aligned personally with individual businesses and much more.”
Fraser says a common tip for effective ideas to improve the success of your business includes creating a long-term business strategy plan.
“I think businesses can often implement shortterm actions and keep ‘moving the needle’ which, can work for the short-term and might give momentum.
“However, a long-term strategy means you can reference back to see if you are meeting objectives and if you’re ‘failing’ what you’re ‘failing’ against and what needs to change.”
Having a business plan to reference and change directions means you can reflect on where you’re at in terms of business success.
He says there may be businesses who continue to work hard for many years, however, are not led by strategy and rather implement ideas without considering how this affects business on an evolving scale.
“Invest in organic brand strategy content. This means investing in a long-term piece of the puzzle.”
He says that sometimes businesses spend ‘too much money’ on digital marketing to fast-track sales or customer engagement.
“Depending on what industry you’re in, you want to consider who your organic customers are. Once this is clear you provide them with information, the solution and value of your product.”
Building and delivering a plan is key to reviewing progress within online digital advertising space. Fraser says self-made content is one of the biggest opportunities businesses have to make an impact in online marketing.
For some brands or businesses, outsourcing to readily available social media platforms such as TikTok can be a successful strategy for improving the success of your business.
“Social media is a way of expressing your brand’s values. For example, ownership in a dynamic TikTok retailer space can engage audiences in a cost-effective way.”
Being prepared to evolve in business is important. Despite social media platforms such as TikTok having the possibility of not existing ‘forever,’ Fraser says these platforms are still a good chance to invest in.
“Utilise all spaces on social media and don’t just stick to one. Try out different avenues and see what works for your business.”
When speaking about workplace culture and the importance of a successful work environment, Fraser says this is more important than ever before for a successful business to operate.
“Workplace culture could be considered more sophisticated than even five or ten years ago. Fostering a positive workplace culture is valued and important.
“I believe aspects such as allowing emotions in the workplace and having mechanisms where people can express themselves is important.
“External anonymous channels of communication may work for some workplaces or six-monthly structured reviews give employees the opportunity to have conversations.”
He says retaining talent can be a challenge for some workplaces now, as aspects in a modern work environment such as flexibility or remote working are valued.
“Exploring options which work for both the employer and employee is important to the success of a positive work environment.
“Especially for younger people these days, I think there is an expectation of an adaptable workplace environment.”
Whether it’s online branding, believing in your brand, being passionate about your values or workplace culture, all impact the success of your business. Ensuring customers are confident in your solution means sales and engagement will rise in no time.
Fraser is looking to connect with any startups or businesses wanting to scale up in operations, particularly in the technology or agri-tech industry.
“There’s a lot of promise in the Canterbury region. I am interested in working with founders and leaders in this space and understanding different market places of this region.”
Fraser says he is excited to see what BSS can do for your brand and develop your business to improve the success overall.
For more information you can get in contact with Fraser through his website, blankspacestrategy.co.nz, and start your next business consultancy with him now. CT
is essential to success. Having a clear plan for your business direction is important for drawing customer attraction to your brand.
However, finding a place that makes great food, can bring it to the office and who can bring a bit of flare to food can be a bit of a challenge.
Events and functions are stressful enough to organise without adding that to your place – pun intended.
To take the stress out of your next function, we’ve compiled a collection of some great eateries and caterers.
Munch Me creates fresh and handcrafted delights to suit your occasion. From morning and afternoon tea to lunch and finger food platters as well as cakes and cupcakes, the team at Munch Me crafts delicious food. Whether your event is big or small, fancy or casual, the team can provide! Their online ordering system allows you to organise your event in advance.
www.munchme.co.nz
Relish Catering provides delicious, fresh local produce. Established in 1998, the team can work with you to create a menu to cover everyone’s tastes and dietary requirements. Catering can be collected from their premises or delivered to your office for a small fee. Relish Catering offers breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon tea, finger food, salads, soups and grazing platters. Contact the team for a price estimate. www.relishcatering.co.nz
Crisp and Vale Catering have a great range of menus for every catering need. From sharing feasts, canapes and lunch boxes to walk & fork and gala dinners, the team at Crisp and Vale can do it all. They love to collaborate with clients to create a stunning menu for their event. They can take all the hassle out of sorting food for your next gathering.
www.crispandvale.co.nz
Catering by Nikki has been bringing catering excellence to Christchurch since 2002. The dedicated team provides deliciously fresh, homemade food for a range of events. From small groups to large gatherings, the team can do it all. For corporate and office gatherings, the team is able to provide breakfast, morning tea, afternoon tea, lunch and finger food. Catering by Nikki is also able to supply hot drinks as well as beverages and glasses for cocktail events. www.cateringbynikki.co.nz
The Bespoke Chef catering service encompasses in-home dining, shared plates, bespoke feats, delivered feasts, canapes, corporate catering and lunches. They can deliver meals straight to you or create them right there in your kitchen. Their Bespoke Feast option is a great idea for a workplace party as well as their canapes and shared plates. For a premium experience, look no further.
www.thebespokechef.co.nz
Victoria Food Service Catering Co is a premium catering company that’s been a staple of Christchurch catering for more than 35 years. They specialise in corporate catering, events and conferences. From corporate functions to cocktail parties, gala dinners and celebrations both big and small, the team can provide tasty and highquality food. They aim to source all fresh produce locally and make sustainability a top priority.
www.victoriafoods.co.nz
Moveable Feasts is one of Christchurch’s leading catering and event management companies. With over 30 years’ experience in location and event catering, the team have done it all. From corporate events to conferences, they can provide delicious food for project management, gala diners, cocktail parties and product launches. Moveable Feats cater for functions and events anywhere their vehicles can reach –and that’s just about everywhere!
www.moveablefeasts.co.nz
We pride ourselves on the very highest level of service. If you are thinking about the future, we can help you explore pre-payment and pre-planning options. Contact us for a Free Information Pack.
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Our decision makers need to start thinking about both the long-term future New Zealand and the current challenges and issues we face today.
The Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce - the largest and most influential business association in the South Island - is gearing up to use our collective voice on behalf of 2,700 employers and 70,000 employees throughout the region to encourage political parties, and the next government, whatever it might look like in whichever way shape or form, to address the short- and long-term solutions to address the topics outlined above.
Many of these topics are preventing Canterbury and the business community from reaching its full potential.
We are unashamedly ambitious about the future of our region and we want to see a thriving business community operating in a stable economy that is predictable and conducive to growth.
We want to see businesses being encouraged to innovate, to increase their productivity and to ultimately grow. At the moment that’s not quite the case and no one is particularly happy about that.
In the first two months of the year we received a new Prime Minister, witnessed reshuffles across the major political parties, and the battle ground is starting to heat up with clear issues emerging.
Curbing inflation, recovering the economy, fixing our broken infrastructure and planning ambitiously for the future of our country are at the top of the list for the business community, and for many households, as the cost of living becomes more and more unsustainable.
Inflation is a big problem and we expect the majority of the political debate this year to focus on reigning this in. Inflation is driving up the cost of everything and unfortunately, without addressing productivity at the same time, we run a risk of getting stuck in an inflation spiral where everything just keeps on going up and up.
Part of the responsibility lies with the Reserve Bank of New Zealand who are mandated to keep it under control, and part of it is the responsibility of the government to address.
Pumping huge amounts of money into the economy will always have consequences. Part of it, also, is due to international pressures. We can’t do much about that.
Recovering the economy has become a pressing – and complicated – need. The restrictive COVID-19 environment stalled the economy and now we are paying for it; it was always going to happen.
The missing part of the puzzle is a plan to fix it.
In the short term, that means addressing the immediate pressures that businesses are facing.
Labour market shortages are not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s a global phenomenon and we are competing globally for staff. Domestically, we simply don’t have enough people to fill vacancies and industries are facing skills gaps that just cannot be filled.
Much of this is set by government policy – particularly relating to immigration, and
requires a response in that area, and it also requires more long-term solutions and workforce planning.
Equipping the next generation of workers with the right skills is fundamentally important –and it’s fundamentally difficult when truancy levels are the highest they have ever been. Infrastructure is another big one. Three Waters immediately comes to mind, but it’s not just about that. Aotearoa New Zealand, thanks to our size, is trapped in a situation where we start building once it becomes necessary to build. We don’t build in anticipation of it being needed further down the track.
Long-term future planning to ensure we are investing in our infrastructure before it is desperately needed is essential.
The fourth priority at the top of the list is an ambitious plan for New Zealand. We are all proud of our country and want to achieve our best. We’ve never really lost that pioneering spirit that New Zealand was founded on, but it does seem to be dwindling and frankly, some of the current policy settings are responsible for this – making it much more difficult and not providing the right environment to encourage and support innovation.
Businesses are what make this country tick – they are at the centre of our economy and finance the majority of policy implementation throughout the country.
Without a productive economy that is performing well, New Zealand does not perform well and our communities and the people within them don’t do so well either.
When businesses succeed, our wider community flourishes. When businesses have the flexibility and agility to employ more staff, to increase productivity, and to invest back into the community as so many of you do, Canterbury thrives. It’s difficult to disagree with that.
Many of you will have similar expectations and there will be policies that you want to see a future government implement whether it related to economic growth, removing barriers you experience in your day-to-day life, or improving an aspect of our community.
The chamber would love to hear from you, whether it’s directly related to business or not, as we use our collective voice to influence decisions makers to create better outcomes for not just the business community, but the Canterbury community as a whole.
Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce 0800 50 50 96
www.thechamber.co.nz CT
You might have heard that this year is an election year. In fact, it’s hard not to know about it because the electioneering has well and truly already begun.
My Property Manager will assist in the viewing and application process a prospective tenant must go through. During the tenancy, a property inspection will be completed around six weeks after a new tenant moves in. Fiona will manage all maintenance needs. At the end of the tenancy, Fiona will complete a final inspection and complete bond repayments and more.
She believes that accountability and transparency are what people are looking for. “This is backed up by accurate systems, easyto-understand statements, informative property inspection reports, and a solid knowledge of the industry,” she says.
Fiona’s vision is to manage a small, wellorganised portfolio that provides fantastic customer service which removes work and stress from the property owner’s life. She makes this vision a reality by covering every aspect of the job and not delegating any part to someone unfamiliar with the property or tenants. The great thing about Fiona is that she has so much knowledge, skills and experience, clients will feel at ease with her in charge of property management.
Knowing the property owners, tenants, and properties themselves on a deeper level is essential. Fiona closely interacts with people and their homes to provide high-quality services. She is focused on service and lifestyle, so clients can be assured, as either property owners or tenants, that their needs will be met to a high standard.
Everything Fiona has to offer is beneficial for clients. She has no hidden costs and instead offers a flat eight percent plus GST management fee with no extra fees, which is great compared to other pricey property managers in the country. “The free structure is straightforward. Eight percent plus GST on all rent collected. There are no inspection fees, credit check fees, maintenance charges, or set-up costs,” she explains.
There are several core aspects to the business model. Tenant selection ensures property owners aren’t saddled with unfit tenants. Property inspection and maintenance ensure that properties are kept in excellent condition. Fiona also deals with rent collection and payments in a stress-free manner. Training and knowledge are a massive part of the business, and Fiona has a thorough understanding of the tenancy law and best practices in the tenancy tribunal.
Technology is a big part of running My Property Manager as Fiona understands that technology is increasing in every part of people’s lives. She also provides useful resources for property owners.
With two decades of practical experience, knowledge and training within the property management industry, clients can be sure she will be providing the latest information, skills and care. She’s also backed up by her solid client feedback. She’s maintained client relationships for over 20 years and they have found her thoroughly reliable and trustworthy. She’s met the needs of clients, kept them informed and managed properties with great professionalism.
My Property Manager is a business focusing on great service and results for property owners. Fiona will ensure everything is done efficiently and offers great communication, so owners know what is going on during the whole process.
Fiona doesn’t just focus on the property owner either. She also puts tenants first as she understands that tenants are equally essential. When renting through Fiona, tenants can feel satisfied knowing they are treated with the same amount of respect and level of service as the property owners she works with, because at the end of the day the tenants need to be happy.
“When renting through me, you can expect the same level of service the property owners receive because a happy tenant is also a priority,” she says.
Check out the website below to find out more about:
• Fiona
• Her current rental properties in Christchurch
• Information for owners such as tenant selection, property inspections and maintenance, rent collection and payments, information on her fees, training and knowledge, technology, and additional handy resources
• Information for tenants such as Fiona helping tenants with viewing and applying, during the tenancy, ending the tenancy, tenancy services, and answering any questions they may have.
So, for the best in property management, get hold of Fiona at My Property Manager. She offers quality management at all times.
027 934 4196
fiona@mypm.co.nz
www.mypm.co.nz
With over 20 years of experience in property management, Fiona Morland has created a business model that works. Under the business name “My Property Manager”, Fiona has made sure that knowledge of the property owners, tenants and properties she’s working with is at the core of her business. “Don’t just be another number, get the service that you deserve,” she says.
When renting through me, you can expect the same level of service the property owners receive because a happy tenant is also a priority.
The Government's Water Services Bill (currently being drafted) means drinking water suppliers will have a primary duty to supply safe drinking water. If you're off town supply and have any workers drinking your water, you'll need to meet these requirements. Increasingly it's looking like we need to take control of our own water health.
With the new water regulations requiring local on farms supplying water, it has become more important than ever that the water suppliers now have a duty to supply safe drinking water. Anyone that supplies drinking water should have an effective way to identify and manage risks to ensure drinking water is safe and now have a responsibility to check the water quality in a regular basis and report the results back to Taumata Arowai, the new crown entity dedicated to water services and the regulator for water in NZ.
Many towns and villages in Mid Canterbury are struggling with consistent water supply. Water sampling shows worsening nitrate contamination in Canterbury in general. Recent news of degrading asbestos pipes in our region is also disturbing. There is a solution though. A way you can safely determine the integrity of your own water supply - filtration.
Richard Ellis of Filtration Canterbury lives in the Alford Forest area of Mid Canterbury. A while ago he was approached by local farmers to come up with a solution for their shallow bore water concerns regarding nitrates. These were families worried about the wellbeing of themselves, their children and in one case a pregnant woman. Richard met the challenge and Filtration Canterbury was born.
After more than 25 years in the food production, chemical cleaning and filtration industry, Richard decided to use his knowledge in these industries to provide a personal and professional service to ensure that everyone is able to have clean drinking water.
Richard's 40 years as a dairy contractor; extensive experience in food and beverage filtration; food production, sanitation and chemical cleaning puts him in a unique position to advise on and recommend a water filtration solution that's spot on for your situation. This includes domestic, town and rural water supply.
Canterbury and Southland have among New Zealand's highest rates of bowel cancer which is thought to be linked to high nitrate levels in our water. Bore water and private
water schemes are vulnerable to nitrate contamination, as well as heavy metals, pesticides, E Coli, giardia, and water borne viruses. Filtration Canterbury has a solution for every situation, whether it's city, town, or rural water supply.
We need to take a serious look at the water we consume. Taking control ensures we're getting the pure water our bodies need for optimum health.
As a successful New Zealand owned and operated business, Filtration Canterbury is ensuring everyone has access to quality drinking water no matter what the challenges are. We are committed to ensure that you have access to safe drinking every day and are here to help.
Why choose us?
Our expertise
Our services include providing advice and recommendations to assist with water filtration solutions for issues in domestic town and rural water supply.
Better for everyone
A complete range of household filtration systems to ensure that your family is drinking safe water free from chlorine, bacteria, and other water contaminants. We care
We can arrange for a comprehensive water test to be undertaken and then build a system to directly treat the water you and your family are drinking.
The healthy choice
Our filtration systems help with the removal of Chlorine odour, Nitrates, Lead, Chromium, Barium, Campylobacter, E coli, Giardia, and water born viruses.
The Reverse Osmosis water purification process is internationally recognised as being the most effective over the widest range of contaminants and the most economical compared to other available technologies.
The Reverse Osmosis unit provides ultrapure water for those looking for the highest quality of filtered water in both rural and town water applications.
The unit will remove all contaminants including lead, chromium, nitrates, barium, cadmium, as well as virus. This four-stage filtration process consists of a sediment filter carbon filter reverse osmosis membrane and a post carbon filter.
This unit is easily installed by a handyman, or a plumber can install a unit in approximately 90 minutes.
Water sampling shows worsening nitrate contamination in Canterbury in general. Recent news of degrading asbestos pipes in our region is also disturbing. There is a solution though. A way you can safely determine the integrity of your own water supply - filtration.
The park is home to several buildings of historical significance. Ferrymead Heritage Park general manager, Vanessa Hale, says several of their buildings have been reassembled at Ferrymead after being moved from their original homes.
“Curragh Cottage is a two-storey cottage built from a kitset in England and brought out by ship in the 1850s.
It was the home of Christchurch’s first town clerk, George Gordon, who named it after the racecourse near where his family lived in Ireland. It was then brought from its original suburban site in Holly/Springfield Road in Christchurch to Ferrymead in 1972,” Vanessa explains.
Meanwhile, the Kinsey Cottage was moved to Ferrymead in 1970. It was the cottage of Sir Joseph Kinsey and sat at the back of his “Wirimoo” property in Papanui Road.
Vanessa says Sir Joseph Kinsey was a merchant for Antarctic expeditions and regularly met with explorers in the cottage.
“The building is believed to have been used as a dark room by Herbert Ponting, photographer to Captain Scott’s second expedition of 19111914,” she says.
Ferrymead is also home to the Sumner Bus Shelter and the Ellesmere Methodist Church.
The Sumner Bus Shelter, built in 1924, was dismantled stone by stone in 1983 prior to its shift and reassembled at Ferrymead.
Vanessa says the original Ellesmere Methodist Church in Leeston was built in approximately 1911. Now, it’s used for weddings.
Vanessa says Ferrymead’s octagonal tea kiosk was the first building to be constructed entirely to metric measurements in Christchurch. It was opened in 1973 in Ferrymead.
Ferrymead isn’t the only place in Canterbury containing buildings steeped in history. DOC are proud preservers and educators for many historic buildings.
Many of these historic buildings outside of Christchurch city highlight Canterbury’s massive involvement with sheep farming and sheepherding.
From high county mustering bases to full shearers quarters, Canterbury is full of farming history which is highlighted in its historic buildings.
In 1935, the Bealey Spur Hut was built by Walter Taylor and Harry Faulker, owners of Cora Lynn Station. It was used as a base for Cora Lynn’s high counter muster which grazed up to 6,000 sheep.
DOC says use of the hut for mustering ceased when the land was returned in 1978 and added to Arthurs Pass National Park.
Now, it is a popular destination for day trips and overnight accommodation. It’s a beech sapling framed; corrugated iron clad hut with an earth floor.
DOC manages the Hakatere Station buildings which were one at the heart of high-country life in the Ashburton Gorge. These buildings were part of Hakatere station and housed the shearers and musterers who worked there. The stone cottage, which is part of the collection of buildings, may be the oldest building in mid-Canterbury.
It was built in 1862 and was known as the head shepherd’s cottage until around 1892 after which it became known as the “married quarters”.
DOC says the cottage wasn’t always lived in. “At one stage it was a post office for the area and it was later used for storage. The mutton
chiller was the only room in the building that was in constant use until the mid-1970s.”
DOC also have involvement with historic buildings of different significance – ranging from early tourism to wild animal control initiatives.
Cotons Cob Cottage Historic Reserve is a great example of this. According to DOC, Cotons Cottage and the surrounding land were gifted to the Crown in 1974 for an historic reserve.
“Cotons cottage was built in 1864 by Bently Coton who, with his wife Sarah Jane, was thought to be the first smallholder farmer in the Hororata district,” says DOC.
The building was extensively damaged during the September 2010 earthquake but was rebuilt by the Hororata Historic Society. It reopened in March of 2014.
Packhorse Hut was planned as part of a series of rest houses built by Harry Ell for a proposed summit route from Christchurch to Akaroa. Only four of these planned buildings were built. Packhorse Hut was secured on public land and now has regional importance for the development of tourism and, in particular, the opening up of Banks Peninsula. CT
Canterbury is a hub of historical buildings, many of which are lovingly preserved by organisations such as the Department of Conversation (DOC) and the Ferrymead Heritage Park.Packhorse Hut – photo kindly supplied by DOC. Kinsey Cottage – photo kindly supplied by the Christchurch City Council Curragh Cottage – photo kindly supplied by Christchurch City Libraries. Bealey Spur Hut – photo kindly supplied by DOC By Timmi Aplin-Barrett
Lincoln, Canterbury is home to many things — agricultural education, good folk, and incredible sunsets. Situated only 20 minutes from Christchurch it has become a hub for those who enjoy life out of the city. It is also home to the Famous Grouse Hotel.
The hotel offers accommodation, a main bar, garden bar and separate restaurant serving up fabulous gastro pub grub all day including breakfast. Our modern 9 room accommodation is available for bookings along with hire of the conference room and facilities. Make sure you come on down & check us out!!
A project unique like no other, deep in history, logistics and effort. The Christchurch Cathedral reinstatement project is well on track to completion, making a significant mark in New Zealand history.
The iconic landmark is the heart of Cathedral Square and defined the name of the city. Project director, Keith Paterson, says “The city lost a lot in the earthquakes and one of our best heritage assets.
“We are essentially doing open heart surgery on the Cathedral. We have taken that in our stride. Our ethos is to reinstate and protect the original Cathedral in the way everyone can be proud of.”
He says the project is expected to be completed by 2027 and is currently progressing well, meeting milestones.
It has been broken into three different stages. The first stage is stabilisation and is currently approaching the end of this phase. The reinstatement will then move into the second phase of strengthening the remaining building, including new foundations and the construction of the West porch, vestries and tower.
The final phase of the $154.3M rebuild will be a Visitors Centre and Cathedral Centre. Keith says the Visitor Centre will include a cafe, public area, museum piece and retail section. Visitors will be able to observe artefacts and appreciate the importance of the historic building.
Despite the building receiving some funding from the Government and Christchurch City Council, the Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Project is still looking to find an extra $50M to complete the project.
“The Cathedral is privately owned meaning the Council, Government and Church funding falls short of around $50M. Most members of the public see the Cathedral as the iconic centre of the city and resonates with the city’s history.”
Applying modern construction management to heritage reinstatement has been a challenge the team has been willing to take on. The project has relied heavily on Naylor Love and their sub-contractors for detailed construction planning of merging old and new methods. Titan Cranes and Daveron Scaffolding have also been key sub-contractors.
“The main point of the job itself is to reinstate the building in a modern way but make it appear the same as before. It will have the safety and facilities of a new Cathedral plus the charm of heritage and history.”
Keith believes the project is already bringing life back into Christchurch city and Whiti-Reia Cathedral Square.
“Once the project is completed the recovery of Christchurch city and the meaning behind the city’s name will feel a little more ‘put together’.”
The project is planned to be completed in 2027, which Keith says is coming around sooner than expected.
After almost two decades of planning, development and reinstatement the Cathedral
will once again become a South Island heart of community, iconic landmarks, history and empowerment.
To donate or find out more about the project, make sure to visit Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project’s website. CT Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project 021 345 769 information@ccrl.org.nz www.christchurchcathedral.org.nz
— Advertising Feature
Daveron Scaf folding has been operating for 30+ years and prides itself on the reliability and service provided to its clients.Christ Church Cathedral ‘Today’ 2022. Photo supplied by Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project no.2
Craftsmanship, collaboration & commitment... since 1910
With over a century in construction and an absolute commitment to finding best-for-project solutions, Naylor Love have got your back.Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Christ’s College rebuild Isaac Theatre Royal Wellington Town Hall Redevelopment Dunedin Railway Station Wellington East Girls’ College
or delivered to Lyttelton for reclamation work. Green waste is taken for shredding and composting and metals can be recycled. Finally, don’t forget about power. Removal of power to the property is often left to the last minute and this can result in a delayed start date.
It can take 2-3 weeks from the date of contacting the power supplier before power is actually removed, so it pays for the building owner to book this as early as possible.
The first consideration is whether or not there is asbestos present, and if there is, it needs to be removed prior to demolition.
Common places to find it are soffits and gable ends, house and garage claddings, stipple ceilings and backing to vinyl flooring. However, it is often in other unexpected places as well, and a licenced asbestos assessor is the best person to use to find it all.
In most cases, asbestos will need to be removed by a licensed removalist before other work can progress on site. Identifying and removing asbestos correctly is a legal requirement and can’t be avoided.
Will you want any trees or garden areas left intact after the demolition work? It’s a bit hard telling a digger operator that just after they have driven over your heritage roses.
Given advance warning, we are happy to save garden areas if possible. The same goes for garden sheds, clotheslines fencing, paving etc
– before quoting a job the contractor needs to know exactly what is and isn’t to be removed from site.
Good communication also applies to salvage items. As a credit for salvage value is usually a component of the demolition quote, the contractor needs to know if you want to retain any building parts.
This needs to be advised prior to the job being priced.
We value salvage materials and these get recycled through our demolition yard The Pumphouse in Tuam Street. We also buy in materials to ensure we have a good range available.
A large component of the demolition cost is waste disposal. It’s expensive to take materials to landfill so demolition contractors sort waste as much as possible.
Salvageable materials are removed for resale, concrete and hardfill can be taken for crushing
At City Salvage Contractors we like to make the whole process as easy as possible for clients. We can usually do a site visit and quote at short notice and can assist with organising an asbestos survey if one hasn’t already been done.
We are licenced to remove asbestos so if it is found there are no holdups before demolition can take place. We are also available to do stand-alone asbestos removal jobs. So, if you have demolition and/or asbestos removal project in the pipeline and want a competitive price, then get in touch with City Salvage Contractors. CT City Salvage Contractors 544 Tuam St
Christchurch (03) 389 9650 0274 324 878 contracts@citysalvage.co.nz
— Advertising Feature
If you have a project which requires demolition work, then there are plenty of factors you need to consider – and this is why it pays to get professionals to do the job
By Natasha Parrant
It offers boutique architectural designs to clients with unique desires. The team carefully plans and designs, so they can turn their client’s dream home or space into a reality.
The team goes beyond the New Zealand building code’s minimum requirements, reduces operational costs and maximises energy efficiency because healthy homes are beneficial for clients and the planet.
The team manages building costs and keeps their clients up-to-date about the entire process from the get-go. They enjoy designing various buildings and homes and particularly love creating high-quality, passive, energy-efficient homes all over Aotearoa.
CA Architecture uses modern technologies and concepts during the design process to improve a building’s function and its occupants’ health.
The company’s creative director/architectural designer, Casey Curtis, founded CA Architecture in January 2016.
“It’s a bit of a lacklustre story, but I started the business as I was a contract architectural designer to a housing company and became inundated with enquiries I couldn’t take on.
‘So, the decision was made to employ a team member and make a real go of it – and the rest is history,” Casey says.
The great thing about CA Architecture is it’s a proud active member of the super home movement as the team shares a passion for creating warmer, dryer, healthier, and more comfortable homes for occupants and the environment, Casey says.
Casey is a contributor and a part of the review team of The Healthy Home Design Guide, which was established through the super home movement aiming to educate others about improving the design and construction of homes through new concepts, technologies and techniques.
CA Arch is a “firm believer that our current housing stock is failing us and a major
contributor to much of the airborne sickness we see today. Our homes have a direct impact on our health.”
The team is passionate about educating their clients about the perks of building a super home.
“One family in a healthy home is a step in the right direction.”
Education is important, Casey says. The more people are educated on the sustainable design factors and options available, the more healthy homes can be designed and built, and the healthier Aotearoa will become.
“Designing energy efficient ‘healthy homes’ for our clients is a clear passion for myself and our design team.”
The design guide is essential in creating a more sustainable way of building, and hopefully, it will become the new norm in Aotearoa, Casey says.
She has studied Passive House through the Passive House Academy New Zealand, so she’s an expert in the sustainable building practices field. Her team uses various available products and methods required to design and build healthy, energy efficient and passive homes.
“We are huge fans of Formance SIP panels and have been a lead design partner working closely with Formance for many years now.”
Casey loves working closely with her clients and designing.
“Being the vehicle to bring our client’s dreams and visions alive. Seeing their love and passion for the project come to life through our designs, and working closely with them - is beyond rewarding.
“The process of designing a home/building from scratch. You start with nothing but a site
and bit by bit, the design comes to life before your eyes. I never tire of creating and designing homes and buildings. You never know quite where the design process will take you.”
Like any business, CA Architecture has faced many challenges. Running a business feels like a never-ending battle of overcoming challenges, Casey says.
“People are quick to assume that once you’re up and running, things are easy, or just because you’re doing well it’s all smooth sailing.
“I have come to realise, no matter what stage of business you’re in, no matter if you’re snowed under with work coming out your ears, or battling to find the next project, there are always and forever challenges and hurdles. The challenges and hurdles themselves just change.”
In February 2023, CA Architecture will launch its sister brand CA Plans – an architectural drafting service aimed at offering builders, developers and smaller budget clients a costeffective service and excellent product.
“We are excited to be able to showcase our completed man cave project in the coming months, along with an exciting multi-milliondollar South Canterbury home.
“We are looking forward to pushing into the commercial architectural market, in collaboration with and alongside our network of design professionals.” CT
CA Architecture
817 Colombo Street Christchurch (03) 344 3301 Casey: 0274426252 info@caarch.co.nz www.caarch.co.nz
Fifth Dimension Consulting Engineers is a small locally owned structural engineering firm based in Christchurch. But we are more than just a structural engineering consultancy; we are a collaborative place for you. A place where concepts transform from fragments to tangible form.
— Advertising Feature
Residential design including alterations & extensions
Low-rise commercial, warehouses and shopping centres
Educational buildings
Industrial Design Foundation & retaining wall design
Detailed seismic assessments, strengthening & construction monitoring e. steve@5dce.co.nz p. 027 534 6657 www.5dce.co.nz
offers
Friends Liz Henderson and Sonia Minnaar founded the company in 2012 because they wanted to escape with their families to unique, outdoorsy places.
They loved the idea of arriving at a stunning glamping spot in Aotearoa with a luxurious canvas tent that was already set up for them, ready to be enjoyed.
They also liked the idea of having a sense of isolation and privacy with the luxury of being out in nature, surrounded by beautiful scenery but still having access to hot water, a decent toilet, a comfortable bed, and warmth.
“A stay at one of our locations helps people to disconnect, reconnect, immerse themselves in nature or just celebrate life - they are very popular ‘special occasion’ destinations,” Liz says.
Canopy Camping Escape has glamping escapes all around Aotearoa – offering lots of places to discover – one of the reasons why Canopy Camping Escapes is so popular. Customer feedback has been fantastic, Liz mentions.
“They love the opportunity to slow down, relax and reconnect with each other and the natural
world. Once people check-in, they often stay and don’t leave the accommodation for their entire visit.”
What makes Canopy Camping Escapes unique compared to other businesses is:
• Their collection is handpicked, meaning only escapes that meet the business’s standards are accepted
• Every stay is different and provides something magical
• Every escape is set in Aotearoa’s beautiful nature. Thus, guests are surrounded by rolling hill country farms, bush blocks, or the water
• The founders work closely with landowners to help create experiences for their guests, not just places to stay. The guests adventure out to other places, which helps support nearby local businesses simultaneously
• It’s a New Zealand-owned and operated business, so Liz and Sonia know exactly what makes Aotearoa special for others. The founders enjoy meeting their hosts and helping them create memorable experiences. “We’re lucky that we get to travel to all the offthe-beaten-track parts of Aotearoa and stay in these out-of-the-way places,” Liz says. Canopy Camping Escapes aims to be the number one place guests use to find unique nature-based accommodation in the country, she says.
Accomplishments the team is happy about so far are building various escapes over the last 10 years, and having great relationships with their hosts.
Over the past 10 years, Canopy Camping Escapes has grown to a team of six employees and now has more than 120 locations spread across Aotearoa.
“We’re proud that our guests love what we do and so happy that so many choose to book with us over and over again,” Liz says. CT Photos kindly supplied by Canopy Camping Escapes.
Canopy Camping Escapes
191 Ngatiawa Road
Reikorangi
Kapiti Coast 5391
Liz’s number: 027 247 3003
hello@canopycamping.co.nz www.canopycamping.co.nz
— Advertising Feature
a unique collection of nature-based escapes around New Zealand and provides the ‘magic of camping’ to their local and global guests, cofounder Liz Henderson says.
They love the opportunity to slow down, relax and reconnect with each other and the natural world.Waitomo - Wai Dome O Puna Tiny Home, Waikato
The Camp and Cross Hill Lodge & Domes offers a variety of glamping accommodation to suit different tastes and budgets. Helping guests connect with nature, enjoy their environment and create lifelong memories has been a driver for The Camp at Lake Hawea for more than 50 years.
Upon arrival at Lake Hawea a sense of calm sweeps over you Time slows and the stresses of life dissolve You wake to the lake lapping against the rocks, the birdsong and the first light of dawn illuminating your tent You feel refreshed after a restful night's sleep
The crisp morning air draws you into the present moment and gives you a deeper appreciation for the hot cup of coffee wrapped in your hands The lake has a mist across it so only the mountains can be seen peaking up through the cloud
As the day heats up you take a stroll to explore your surroundings and find an array of autumn colours above and below The canopy of trees above displays beautiful orange, red and yellow leaves that gently fall to the ground as the breeze sways the canopy above, creating a carpet of colour across the grounds
Days are spent either nestled at The Camp or out exploring the beauty of the local area Visit one of the many wineries throughout Central Otago, try your luck catching a salmon or hire a bike and explore the local trails Hike one of the many breath-taking peaks overlooking Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka or, for the adventurous climb the world's highest waterfall climb or venture through a West Coast canyon
As the sun gets lower in the sky the cooler evening sets in You wrap yourself in a blanket and head to the lakeside The perfect perch is found on the rocks as you watch nature's best performance yet The mountain range across the lake begins to glow in the late evening golden light You watch in awe as the light slowly creeps up the ranges and changes from orange to pink tones until only the peaks are left to see the sun The light fades fully but the show is not over yet Slowly but surely stars begin to reveal themselves and before long you are lying under the best night sky you have ever seen The milky way in all its glory is perfectly positioned over the silhouetted mountain range across the lake You watch for a while in amazement before retreating to your tent to snuggle up for a cosy, warm and comfortable night's sleep
The Camp has different glamping options including Bell tents Denver tents a Safari tent and their latest edition Cross Hill Lodge & Domes a high-end glamping experience The Camp and Cross Hill Domes is the perfect place to escape and totally relax
And just down the road, as well as it’s unique heritage precinct, shops and great food and wine, Arrowtown is also renowned for being one of the most amazing places in New Zealand to experience the colours of the four seasons. In any season the town is a photographer’s dream and Arrowtown is renowned for its stunning autumn colours providing hues of gold and orange on the hillsides and surrounds during April and May.
A walk through Arrowtown’s carefully preserved main streets feels like a step back in time or a step into an old western film, however, each of the hotels, restaurants, galleries and boutique retail stores will set your senses alive.
The town is full of artists, talented chefs, florists, and shop owners with an eye for beautiful, unique and quality boutique pieces for their stores.
It’s the perfect time to indulge all senses in the colours and flavours of the season.
It’s a bit cooler at sunrise and sunset, but the warm sunny days are ideal for exploring the region and enjoying the activities and attractions that make this the perfect holiday destination.
No matter how many times you’ve been down our way, there is always something new to discover.
Challenge yourself to try something new, whether that be a local photography course, cooking or pottery class, or attempting a challenging hike, yoga class or biking trail.
Autumn is a fabulous time to explore local vineyards, breweries and wineries by bike or to relax by exploring local galleries, our beautifully presented retail stores, cafes and restaurants.
The crisp evenings are perfect for sipping a glass of award-winning local Pinot Noir beside a fire. Here are our top ways to enjoy Queenstown in autumn.
Queenstown is a true foodies’ paradise, with over 150 bars and restaurants, the food scene is always buzzing here.
Whether it be new craft beer bars, cafes or restaurants popping up, food tours, or inventive new dishes, there’s always something new, creative and exciting to try.
Queenstown’s pedestrianised town centre is packed with restaurants, cafes, bars and plenty of places for dessert.
A visit to Arrowtown on any given evening in autumn is a must-do, with live music, restaurants and bars brimming with people. CT
Queenstown has an international airport which is located a handy 10-minute drive from the town centre.
Air New Zealand and Jetstar provide scheduled daily domestic flights to/from the international gateways of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.
Air New Zealand, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Qantas operate regular trans-Tasman flights direct to Queenstown.
Of all the seasons, Autumn is perhaps the most magical in the Queenstown
Founded in 1900, it’s one of New Zealand’s oldest courses. The par is 72 over 6052 metres off the blue tees. With only 400 members, the course is never crowded. It’s a friendly club where visitors are always welcome. Usually, you can tee off without booking a tee time, but to be sure, you can book online. It’s easy walking with a variety of trees and terrain, water hazards, out of bounds in the vines, making it a good test of golf. The course is extremely well maintained
by our greenkeeping staff assisted by club volunteers. Having an extensive course watering system and being one of the sunniest places in the country also helps. The clubhouse offers fine wines from the club’s sponsors, so the 19th is well worth a visit after your game. The club is less than 10 minutes’ drive from Blenheim's town centre and near many of the area’s top cellar doors. A round of golf with us is a must during your visit to Blenheim.
The course offers fun and challenges to all golfers, going out of bounds is not hard, particularly if you have a slice! There are not too many bunkers, but there are lakes and creeks to watch out for. The course is mostly flat with a couple of small hills on the front nine and then of course the usual trees spread throughout. They say hit long and straight and all will be fine, (if only it were that easy), but whatever level you’re at, you are sure to enjoy this great course.
Canterbury Golf also has community programmes such as the ‘Golf in Schools and Futures’ programme, which introduces young children to the sport.
“There are currently around 500 young kids in the programme in the region. The programme helps elite golf talents mature and come up in the ranks,” says Mike.
Canterbury Golf was established in 1941 and has been running for over 81 years. They support 37 affiliate clubs in the Canterbury region with almost 13,000 members.
Canterbury Golf implements and manages many competitions and tournaments to ensure golfers of all ages, genders and playing ability have a positive experience with the game of golf.
Through the commitment of both their volunteers and paid employees, Canterbury Golf has built a strong reputation alongside the clubs they represent.
Interim general manager of Canterbury Golf, Mike Godinet, says “Golfing is a game for life. Whether you are six or ninety-six you can play together.”
He says the game is for everyone and people at all stages can play together no matter their level of golfing experience.
Canterbury Golf has weekly inter-club competitions and the communities range from the North of Canterbury through to the Selwyn district.
The organisation has programmes such as the Canterbury Golf Talent Development Programme, a regional programme to support the development of young players to realise their potential.
This programme bridges the gap from community style playing of the sport to high performance and lays the foundation for success. This includes four different key stages for members to develop their skills.
As well as supporting the up-and-coming golfers, there is support offered to those who already play at a professional level.
Distinguished players from the Canterbury region have accomplished remarkable achievements globally. Momoka Kobori is currently playing on the Ladies European Tour and Amelia Garvey is another extraordinary local player playing on the Epson Tour which is the secondary LPGA tour.
Kazuma Kabori is matching his sister’s achievements, he recently won the Australian Amateur Championship, only the third New Zealander to ever achieve this.
Interestingly, Mike says there has been a 30 percent increase in interest in people playing golf during the last three years.
“Covid has brought people to the golf course mainly over the last [few] years.”
He says the clubs have done a ‘good job’ at making the game attractive to many people and families during a time where the need for social distancing was important.
When asked about the future for Canterbury Golf, Mike expresses it’s going to be, “Pretty rosy!” he laughs. He is excited about the future of golf for young and more experienced players of the sport he is passionate about.
He says they face challenges when it comes to receiving enough funding for the organisation to support clubs in the best way possible.
“Funding is a necessity to provide a framework for those who want to strive for higher
honours in the sport, as well as being able to continue to run quality [golfing] events throughout the community.”
If you are based in the centre of Canterbury in Christchurch and want to join a club, Central Hagley Golf Course might be for you. Established in 1873 Hagley is Canterbury’s oldest golf club. There are a variety of memberships available for this club if you want to get involved.
If you live further out of town and the city centre, clubs such as the gorgeous Rangiora or Hamner Springs Golf clubs may be the place for you to experience golf.
If you’re looking for a new adventure or new sport to participate in, get some friends along to a golf club to play a round together.
No matter what level of expertise you are in golf, anyone can play and enjoy the fresh air with friends or family.
Canterbury Golf supports the golf industry and the development of their game. They are members of the Golf Managers Association and the Golf Industry Council in New Zealand. To find out more about Canterbury Golf, make sure to visit their website at canterburygolf. co.nz for more information. There is lots of information available for any keen and interested golfers who want to be part of the fabulous community within the golfing world. CT
Canterbury Golf
375 McLeans Island Road
Harewood 8545
Christchurch (03) 359 4000 info@canterburygolf.co.nz
www.canterburygolf.co.nz
— Advertising Feature
Whether you are a professional, a newbie or a weekend warrior, golf offers an opportunity for anyone to play.
and a well-stocked golf shop. Rental clubs are available. After your game, relax at Number 19, our well-appointed café and bar.
Russley has hosted prestigious national events, such as the New Zealand Amateur Championships in 2011 and 2017, and the Legends Pro Am tournaments in 2017 and 2018. The course is listed in the 2019/20 Top 50 New Zealand golf courses by New Zealand Golf Digest.
The club is open to locals and visitors alike, and offers five sets of tees to challenge players of all ages and abilities. It is very conveniently located close to Christchurch Airport.
Expert tuition is available from our dedicated PGA professionals for both beginners and experienced players. Instruction takes place on our first class facilities in specific areas for each part of the game.
The Russley golf complex includes a high quality practice range, putting and chipping greens, women’s and men’s changing rooms,
Russley was the “Club of the Year” winner in the Golf NZ 2020 National Golf Awards having been a finalist in 2018 and 2019. Our Head Professional (Rodney Yee) was a finalist for Professional Coach of the Year in 2017, 2018 and 2019, as well as being a finalist for Community Coach of the Year in 2019. Newcomers are always welcome. Our longterm members tell us they have chosen Russley because of the warm, welcoming atmosphere, great conversations and opportunity to meet new people.
Russley Golf Club offers a choice of memberships to suit different ages and lifestyles. Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced player looking for new challenges, we would be very happy to accommodate you. We pride ourselves on being a friendly and sociable club, and our members very much enjoy the company of other players.
Our most popular membership is full membership which allows for unlimited access to the championship golf course and entry into a host of competitions. Members can also chart their improvement by gaining a New Zealand golf handicap which is recognised at golf clubs all over the world. We also offer an off-peak membership rate as well as lower cost flexible membership
based on a certain number of games played per year. This is a great way to keep in touch with the game and the club while also allowing for the commitments of work and family. For beginners, a range of learn to play and coaching options are available.
For further information please visit www.russleygolfclub.co.nz
Russley Golf Club. Our course is designed to suit a wide range of abilities from beginners through to those looking for the challenge of playing our Black Championship tees.
Clubhouse and Function Centre. Designed by Sir Miles Warren and overlooks the 18th green. The Function Centre has two large rooms suitable for groups of 10 or more up to elegant banquets for 150.
Café and Bar. Adjacent to the Function Centre and open 7 days/week to the public. Serves cabinet food, barista made coffee, and drinks from the bar. A breakfast menu and daily lunch specials are available every day.
The Russley Golf Club is home to one of New Zealand’s premier golf courses. The par 72 championship golf course is set in beautiful parkland, and has recently been transformed by a complete redesign of the back nine by leading architect, Greg Turner.
Tourism through the coast has become increasingly important to the local economy and a part of the South Island adventure where natural beauty flutters its eyelashes around every corner.
The gateway to the West Coast, Hokitika Airport, provides access from the outside world with two Air New Zealand flights arriving each day from Christchurch—adding to the local and wider regional economy.In the event of a major
Civil Defence disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami, due to its height above sea level, Hokitika Airport is likely to be the only remaining airport capable of bringing in emergency services, supplies, equipment and people.
Located in the heart of Hokitika’s business district, Destination Westland is a diverse organisation managing various assets for the Westland District Council and running events such as the renowned Wildfoods
Festival. Additionally, the company manages the maintenance and upkeep of the Westland section of the West Coast Wilderness Trail, which showcases some of the Coast’s most outstanding scenery. Stretching from Greymouth’s historic port to the neat old gold town of Ross, the cycle trail takes riders on a journey through incredible natural landscapes and back in time, with tales of Maori pounamu and the glittering gold rush era.
Wild, rugged and pristinely beautiful, the South Island’s West Coast offers a potpourri of natural attractions including rain forests, lakes, rivers, mountains, ocean and glaciers.
Arrivals and departures by air into Hokitika come with the visual treat of the Tasman Sea alongside the airport runway, high mountain peaks on the eastern backdrop, and the patchwork Canterbury Plains beyond the Southern Alps — a taste of the region’s impressive natural attributes.
Hokitika Airport serves as the regional airport for Westland and the Grey districts, the towns of Greymouth and Hokitika, and — to the south — the vast wilderness regions of Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef and Fox glaciers, Haast and the World Heritage Area of Te Waipounamu New Zealand.
The schedule of daily services to and from Christchurch, and connections to Wellington and Auckland, ensures Hokitika Airport plays a key role in supporting the local economy and community by offering the most convenient, quickest business and leisure travel options in and out of the West Coast region.
The airport is an important tourism hub, welcoming visitors with hospitality, a range of rental car services and ample parking.
There are scenic flights operating out of the airport, and the recently completed terminal extension features a new arrivals gate, baggage collection area, open space seating and extended views of the runway.
Hokitika Airport’s meeting room and event facilities are the perfect solution to saving additional travel time. They are also conveniently situated for a range of uses including board meetings, one-on-one interviews, small workshops, conferences or evening events.
Hokitika itself is a thriving tourist centre with an historic business centre, a wide variety of accommodation, cafes and restaurants.
It’s also a popular setting or overnight stay for cyclists on the multi-day West Coast Wilderness Trail, running between Greymouth and Ross, which helps explain the frequent arrival of bicycles and their riders at the airport.
A member of the New Zealand Airports Association, Hokitika Airport operates just like its bigger cousins, hosting regular services, charter and private aircraft .
More than 60 i-SITE Visitor Centres across Aotearoa provide international and domestic travellers with information and booking services for activities, attractions, accommodation and transport.
Retail items and souvenirs are also available at the centre.
Want to make sure you experience all the must-do activities while on the coast? Hokitika i-SITE will make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Needing to book activities, attractions, accommodation or transport? You can trust our i-SITE team to get you sorted. Just want to chat about the area? We’re happy to help.
As a Qualmark-accredited service (New Zealand tourism’s official quality assurance organisation), Hokitika i-SITE provides a trusted guide to iconic travel experiences.
Owned by Tourism New Zealand and backed by leading industry organisations, Qualmark provides a grading system for accommodation providers and a quality endorsement programme for visitor activities,
service and transport providers- it acts as an official mark of quality.
The Qualmark logo means you can book with confidence, knowing that the experience is quality-assured to the highest standards.
Whether you’re looking for places to stay, things to do or ways to get around, a business displaying the Qualmark logo represents
the best tourism experience New Zealand has to offer.
There are not many towns that can equal Hokitika’s outlook with its wild and beautiful beach, the blue-green waters of the Hokitika Gorge and superb views of the Southern Alps. Throw in friendly locals, great cafes, galleries, recreation, and our West Coast
Wilderness Cycle Trail, you have the perfect West Coast base.
In addition to offering local advice and support, Hokitika i-SITE also operates as an AA driver licensing agency.
Services include vehicle and driver licensing, overseas conversions, RealMe, IRD and a range of other requirements.
Visitors can sample a wide array of local natural foods, ranging from some of the weirdest and most exotic delicacies to fabulous gourmet specialties.
What’s traditionally found in the heart of the bush and deep in the ocean is served up with a fork for the daring.
After hunting the mountains for pigs, deer, thar and chamois and fishing the sea, keen stallholders have not left many stones unturned in their efforts to explore edible possibilities.
Even garden weeds have been discovered as herbs useful in festival salads and beverages. The festival first came into fruition in 1990 when Hokitika local, Claire Bryant, instigated the very first celebration of local wild foods. Her wine cellar was very well stocked with a home brew of West Coast gorse flower wine and people were clamouring for a taste of her rose petal brew.
So, why not a festival celebrating the tastes of the wild West Coast!
The first event also coincided with the 125th anniversary celebration of the birth of Hokitika in March 1990.
Locals and the rest of New Zealand were captured by the magic of the idea – a celebration of Hokitika and the wild foods of the West Coast.
As for entertainment, 2023’s festival has a stellar line-up headlined by hall of fame legend, Sir Dave Dobbyn. Other Kiwi class acts include Zed, Greg Johnson and Cassie Henderson. Those with a creative flair can enter Feral Fashion – a wearable arts style competition
modelled on the racing circuits-Fashion in the Field.
Contestants get creative, forage in their surroundings, and create a wild alter ego to wear to the festival.
If children are not interested in sampling huhu grubs, the Kids Corner will keep them occupied with face painting, a massive inflatable pirate ship, a candy shop and more. Tickets for the upcoming festival are currently on sale through Eventfinda. Further information including merchandise, travel and accommodation can be found at: wildfoods.co.nz.
Shepherd & Kime Ltd has been doing collision repairs in Christchurch since 1966. Over the years, the business has kept up with the latest technologies to provide the high-quality services customers have grown accustomed to.
Built in 1992, The Mussel Inn began before the days of licenced cafes and when tea rooms and taverns were still popular.
Owners, Jane and Andrew Dixon saw a need to create a family friendly space to eat, drink and be merry.
Jane says, back then, there were none of the family friendly places that we’re used to now.
“We thought it was time there was,” Jane says. “I guess we were right at the front of when this was all changing so it seemed like a natural thing for us to do.”
The Mussel Inn has been going strong for 30 years and the team celebrated their anniversary in December of 2022.
According to Jane, they had a bit of a birthday week! “We had a big birthday party on the 3rd and then we had another, smaller party on the 10th,” Jane explains.
The main party business were the two music events and the people who joined in to recognise the feat.
“Our brewer, who’s been with us for nearly 25 years, has a band so he played on the 3rd and then we rounded up the week with the Gypsy Pickers on the 10th, who actually played at our opening party 30 years ago!”
Jane says they’re locally known as The Mussel Inn Bush Café due to their woody surroundings. It’s very kid friendly and she says they’ve got a big tyre swing, plenty of games on the shelves and lots of kid’s books.
“We’ve been a community hub for years,” Jane explains. “We have meetings, family gatherings, birthdays, wakes and all sorts.”
A family and community-oriented business, The Mussel Inn has children of early staff working there now as well as Jane and Andrew’s own grandchildren. “Our son worked here and now our grandkids,” says Jane.
The Mussel Inn is definitely an integral part of the Onehaka community and seems to be in safe hands. Jane says the next step for them is for her and her husband to work on having a relaxed life.
“Don’t worry, nothing is going to happen suddenly. But we’re going to gradually morph into letting go a bit and letting the kids take the lead a bit more.”
As The Mussel Inn looks ahead with 30 years of success under its belt, Jane and Andrew are feeling pretty grateful.
“We want to acknowledge the wonderful staff we’ve had over the years because, without them, we certainly couldn’t have done it,” Jane says.
“We also couldn’t have done it without the support from the local community. Our community is our bread and butter and who we made the place for.” CT The Mussel Inn 1259 Takaka Collingwood Highway Takaka (03) 525 9241 haveabeer@musselinn.co.nz www.musselinn.co.nz
Aside from business owners Gary Shepherd and Errol Kime retiring and selling the collision repair shop to David Kennedy and Gerard Kime in 2006, very few things have changed for the business.
When asked how the shop has withstood the test of time, Shepherd & Kime Ltd co-owner Gerard Kime says, “I think it comes down to our good service. We try to keep the customer experience as a whole as high quality as we can give.
“We like to give good, fast turnarounds because we don’t like people being off the road for too long. We just like to do a quality repair, really. We’ve got a pretty good crew on deck.” In order to get customers back on the road, Gerard says that the team does its best to keep up to date with all of the latest gear,
spray ovens, and chassis electronic measuring systems.
In addition to adopting new technologies, the team is always looking to perfect its process so that repairs are done in an efficient manner. You can trust the team at Shepherd & Kime to sort out the parts needed to fix your vehicle so that the quote you get at the start of the process is what you pay when the job is done. Customers can bring their vehicles to the Shepherd & Kime shop on Sheffield Crescent or its new location on Selwyn Street. The Selwyn Street shop was purposefully fitted out for the business’s panel and paint services and equipment.
Whichever shop you take your vehicle, you can trust Shepherd & Kime to get the job done right the first time. Gerard says, “We’re just trying to supply a good service to the Christchurch people.” CT
Shepherd & Kime Ltd
440 Selwyn Street
Addington Christchurch (03) 366 8256
admin@sandk.co.nz
www.shepherdandkime.co.nz
Our
has become an integral part of the Onehaka community.
uniquely New Zealand projects such as Trees That Count, Mitre 10 Community of the Year in the New Zealander of the Year Awards and the Neurological Foundation’s Annual Appeal on top of many individual projects supported by local stores.
Nelson’s Mitre 10 Mega is part of 84 stores nationwide, dedicated to ensuring kiwis can get out and do it themselves.
Trade business is steadily growing with more and more trade professionals seeking to partner with the New Zealand owned and operated company.
To support the trade expansion, they’ve expanded their supplier network in both New Zealand and overseas, steadily building upon their competitive advantage, great pricing and increased range for customers.
Mitre 10 places a strong focus on customer serviced and staff training and they’re committed to providing the inspiration, advice, tools and materials their customers need to see their home improvement project through to completion.
Many New Zealanders have grown up with Mitre 10 and trust the brand so much that it’s been awarded the most trusted brand in New Zealand home improvement retailing 11 times.
To give a little something back to local communities, Mitre 10 is involved in many
Nelson Mitre 10 Mega offers a wide range of services from key cutting and gas swaps to pool water testing and carpet cleaning as well as trailer hire, timber cutting, paint colour matching, kitchen designs and so much more. The trailer hire service ensures you can get your big purchases home safe. The first two hours are free and the booking process is simple. They’re also part of several environmental initiatives such as pot recycling. At the end of October, Mitre 10 reached a huge milestone; one million plant and seedling pots were recycled throughout stores.
This equates to about 19 tonnes of plastic diverted from landfills around the country.
A collaboration between Zealandia Horticulture and Mitre 10, Pot Recycle recently delivered the first fully circular plant and seedling pots made entirely from old pots recycled by customers. Not only that, but their commitment to recycling includes lightbulbs. Most lightbulbs are not supposed to be put into the ordinary household rubbish collection or transfer stations as they’re hazardous.
Simply drop off your used lightbulb instore and Mitre 10 will send them to their recycler. Up to 100 percent of the lightbulbs are broken down to be used again as raw materials for other products.
You can visit the Nelson Mitre 10 Mega at 99 Quarantine Road, Annesbrook, or give them a call on (03) 547 0747.
They’re open Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8am to 6pm.
Since 1974, Mitre 10 has been a part of New Zealand’s home improvement culture.
Some two years ago, an ecolabel was launched with big ambitions – to help tackle construction and demolition waste in New Zealand.
Why an ecolabel? Its creator, Environmental Choice New Zealand (ECNZ), sets the highest standards for environmental preferability in New Zealand.
If you see a product, such as a cleaning product – or even toilet paper – with the ECNZ logo, you can be assured the manufacturer has done everything they could do to create better environmental outcomes, from material sourcing through to end-of-life solutions.
ECNZ decided it was time we collectively understood what best practice means when it comes to dealing with construction and demolition waste.
Over a period of 12 months, ECNZ consulted with experts in the field and developed a thorough specification that is available online for free public viewing.
ECNZ general manager, Francesca Lipscombe, says the ecolabel is right for organisations that care about sustainability, want to do it well, and want to be recognised for their efforts –especially by their customers.
“Having external validation gives businesses an advantage, especially in a sector that is increasingly under the microscope by
Government, councils and the public,” Francesca says.
The resulting specification, Construction and Demolition Waste Services (EC-59 C&D Waste), outlines in detail how to effectively and efficiently deal with construction and demolition waste.
For example, it requires separating waste onsite and achieving at least 70 percent diversion from landfill.
The great news for architects, builders, and developers is that the ECNZ ecolabel for construction and demolition waste supports Green Star accreditation.
“If you are working on a building project where the waste contractor or waste generator has an ECNZ licence, Green Star’s mandatory minimum reporting requirement for construction and demolition waste is automatically met.
“In addition, projects using ECNZ licensed waste contractors also qualify for one point under Green Star’s 70 percent diversion from landfill credit.”
Waste not, want not
The construction and demolition sector can make up about 50 percent of New Zealand’s waste according to BRANZ.
Originally, the waste disposal levy was introduced via the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 in order to raise revenue towards efforts to minimise waste however, the levy only applied to municipal landfills.
Your RECYCLING bin is only for the following CLEAN items…
To ensure your bin gets emptied and to avoid contamination of recycling:
Keep items loose
Don’t squash bottles, tins or cans
Put all lids in the rubbish
Make sure everything is clean
We can’t accept:
Plastics numbered 3, 4, 6 & 7
No containers larger than 3L or smaller than 150ml
Soft plastics or any plastic you can scrunch into a ball
Takeaway cups and liquid cartons
Paper smaller than an envelope
Compostable items
Clothes and toys
Nappies
Polystyrene
Pans and foils
Window glass, crockery & light bulbs
Batteries
General rubbish or food.
Repeated contamination may result in withdrawal of your kerbside collection service.
WasteMINZ CEO, Janine Brinsdon, says the increased cost of disposal will eventually have an economic impact.
“It will also generate $276m per annum by 2024 – a significant increase from $30 million per annum in 2020. This revenue will be reinvested into waste minimisation projects, including investment in C&D waste projects.
“If the sector doesn’t embrace reduction in the levels of waste being sent for disposal, rather than reused or repurposed, then the financial impact to the sector will be at a level where it will add additional pressure on
margins and costs. Increased focus on waste minimisation at design and more effective material separation management, either onsite or aggregated, will help mitigate this risk.”
Furthermore, BRANZ suggests that much of what is considered ‘construction waste’ could easily be diverted from landfills simply by sorting the waste.
For those interested in teaming up with WasteMINZ and joining its new Recycling & Resource Recovery group, more information on membership can be found at: www.wasteminz.org. CT
Here are some handy recycling tips:
Empty, Clean and Loose
All containers need to be empty, clean and loose in the bin (not bagged). All lids must be put in the rubbish.
Look for the Triangle
Plastic bottles and containers have a plastic code, usually on the bottom inside a triangle. This code tells us the type of plastic it is and whether or not it can be recycled. We can only accept plastic types 1, 2 and 5.
Paper and Cardboard
Paper and cardboard needs to be flat not crumpled up and must be clean with no food or food-staining. We can accept clean and empty pizza boxes in the recycling. Those with oil or food on the cardboard can go in your organics bin, worm farm or compost, otherwise put them in the rubbish.
Size Does Matter
We can only take paper that’s envelope sized or larger; and plastic containers sized from 100 mls to 3 litres – no smaller than a yoghurt pottle, no larger than 3 litres, no lids.
Coffee Cups are a No-No
Take-away coffee cups and lids cannot be recycled.
Clothing or bedding, appliances or tools, toys, polystyrene, machine parts, soft plastics, and more… None of these can be processed so don’t put them in your recycling bin. If you have any reusable items, drop them off to a charity or our Southbrook resource recovery park. Mobile phones, scrap metal, whiteware and clean polystyrene packaging can also be dropped off for free at Southbrook. Soft plastics can be taken to a shop with Soft Plastics Recycling. Rubbish is Rubbish!
Rubbish, including nappies, plastic strapping, food scraps must go in the rubbish bin.
If too many people put the wrong things in their recycling bins, the whole truckload goes to landfill.
Video technology can support a fleet safety programme in a variety of ways, from identifying fatigued or distracted drivers and reducing the risk of incidents, through to providing evidence for investigations and insurance claims in the event of a crash.
This technology is continually evolving and can assist fleet managers to mitigate road risk.
Brake NZ director, Caroline Perry says, “Driving for work is a significant health and safety risk to organisations, so it’s essential that you have relevant policies and procedures in place to address risk.
“Technology, including video technology, is evolving rapidly, and there are an increasing number of systems available that aim to improve vehicle and driver safety.
“Knowing what the latest developments are and what to consider when implementing technology can help fleets to ensure they get the most from these systems, helping them to reduce their road risk.”
MiX Telematics Middle East and Australasia managing director, Brodie Von Berg says, “With the increased adoption of AI solutions, fleet operators are demanding evolving technology to provide real-time visibility and control over their fleets and drivers.
“Monitoring driver behaviour with video telematics increases safety, which leads to fewer incidents and fewer claims.”
Staying safe on our roads
We all know that stress can affect our decision-making process. Heightened emotions such as stress, anger or upset are a form of cognitive distraction which can significantly impede drivers’ ability to spot and respond to hazards.
Any number of stressors can affect our driving on a normal day, but during this unprecedented time of a pandemic, in addition to navigating our way through school holiday traffic, our stress levels can go through the roof.
Switching off the mind-clutter can be particularly difficult when we’re behind the wheel making that rare and quick trip for essential supplies, getting to and from work, or helping someone more vulnerable. In these moments, we may find more anxiety and stress creeping into our driving.
You also have to be careful when experiencing a lot less traffic than you’re used to. Traffic often provides drivers with cues to moderate speed and take notice of traffic signals. Without the traffic in place, we may find ourselves switching to auto pilot and letting the clutter in our minds take over. Worse still, some drivers see the open road as an invitation to speed.
Tips for staying safe on our roads: Distance between your car and the car in front. Always keep a minimum three seconds gap between you and the car in front. When it’s raining and/or foggy double the distance to six seconds no matter what speed you’re doing.
Indicate early
Always indicate when changing lanes, 30-metres wherever practical, to advise other motorists of what you are doing.
Drive with your line of sight parallel to the road not looking down onto it. By doing this you see further into the distance so you can be better prepared if there is a problem ahead. It may even mean you can avoid a crash.
Ensure you have enough room to go past the vehicle you are overtaking and not cut them off. Pick you time carefully as overtaking can be quite dangerous and making the wrong decision may result in a serious crash.
Driving at night requires more skill and concentration than at daytime due to your restricted vision. Oncoming headlights can obscure your vision and pedestrians can be near impossible to see. Leave a bigger gap between you and the car in front to allow for your reduced vision and reaction time.
Stay relaxed and try not to let other people’s driving skills or decisions worry you. If another driver makes a mistake don’t get angry - just concentrate on your own driving skills, behaviour and safety. Remember that travelling during holiday periods can be more-risky because of increased traffic volumes, congestion, tiredness, there are higher numbers of people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and people may be driving in unfamiliar environments. Being courteous and flexible, remembering to share the road with others, allowing increased time for the journey, and scheduling frequent breaks can help drivers to stay safe during these highpressure periods. CT
The automotive industry literally keeps our country moving.
Every time you hop in the car to visit whanau, every time your vehicle is checked for safety and every time you power up for a road trip –someone in the automotive sector is helping you out.
And chances are, they’re a Motor Trade Association (MTA) member.
Our retail members sell vehicles that keep people safe. Our repairer members maintain and repair those vehicles, so we can travel Aotearoa with confidence, and make sure they’re not fouling the air with harmful emissions.
Our service station members provide the fuel for those vehicles, so we can explore new lands and have adventures.
A thriving automotive industry means safe and strong communities.
And with the arrival of exciting new technologies, the future has never looked brighter for the industry and for young New Zealanders wanting to work in it.
MTA has been the leading voice in the automotive sector for more than 100 years.
Established in 1917, MTA has developed from a small organisation to become the largest automotive industry body in New Zealand, representing more than 3,800 automotive businesses and acting as a strong advocate for motorists.
From sedans and hatchbacks
SUV’s and vans, MIG Cars has a great range of pre-loved vehicles. Customers say the team is knowledgeable and very helpful. Not only are they a licensed car dealership, they also offer services such as basic lube services, a premium service as well as panel and paint services.
An MIG premium Lube services include an engine oil and filter change as well as a coolant and fluid top up for $120. MIG Cars also offers a transmission service and a tyre
fitting and balance service at a competitive price.
MIG Cars have their very own panel and paint shop which helps keep the quality of their cars to a high standard. The team are also very happy to help individuals out with any of their own panel and paint needs. MIG Cars offer assistance with insurance claims.
The company works along MTF Finance to ensure you’re able to achieve all your vehicle needs. MIG can provide you with a range of interest rates and finance terms, repayments to suit your budget, full disclosure around how repayments are calculated, ability to use your trade as your deposit and options if you don’t have a deposit or trade. Applications for finance are
quick and easy and you can apply online whenever you want to.
With two offices in the Christchurch region, MIG Cars are easily accessible. Their locations are in Sydenham and Addington, both of which have a great range of vehicles to choose from. The Addington location specialises in electric vehicles and has a great range of models. If you buy an EV from MIG Cars, you get a three-year Mechanical Breakdown Insurance for free (T&Cs apply). This insurance includes the battery.
Features of one of the Nissan Leaf models MIG can provide includes an English stereo and dash which shows the distance remaining and the estimated charge time required to full charge and a New
Zealand certified charging cable. MIG Cars offers EV’s, hybrids and plug in hybrids within their EV range. MIG Cars also offer EV specialised services. This includes vehicle services, a battering reconditioning service, a battery State of Health (SoH), battery replacements and small to medium paint and panel repairs. The battery’s SoH is used to judge how much life is left in a used EV. It describes the overall condition of a battery, not the current charge.
For the best in used cars in Christchurch, look no further than MIG Cars. Found at both 140 Wordsworth Street, Sydenham and 313 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch. Visit the website for more information. www.migcars.co.nz
For a while now, our industry has been dominated by fossil-fuelled vehicles that rely on petrol and diesel.
As the world looks for more sustainable vehicles to cut damaging emissions and preserve the environment, hybrid, electric, and hydrogen vehicles are becoming increasingly popular.
That means for young New Zealanders wanting to enter the industry, there’s never been a better time.
There’s going to be increasing demand and rewards for people skilled in these new vehicles. It’s an opportunity to not only work with cutting-edge technology but know you’re making a difference – while racking up good income, not student debt.
MTA and the Motor Industry Training Organisation (MITO) can help give information on how to become an apprentice and the range of interesting courses available.
Our communities depend on service stations, repairers and panel-beaters to keep them safe. Without them, unsafe vehicles would be on our roads, putting lives at risk.
As we come out of the Covid pandemic, all those businesses need staff to carry out their important work. So, if you love cars or motorbikes, the automotive sector has the job for you, right now.
And we need people from all walks of life and sections of the community.
Many of our members would say it beats working in an office – no two days are the same, you’ve got great people around you and the opportunities are endless.
There are jobs for petrolheads who love getting their hands dirty and jobs for computer whizzes who love technology.
A lot of young people who join the industry end up owning or running the business, so there’s a real career pathway.
You’re probably already familiar with MTA. The bright blue MTA badge is displayed proudly on most member businesses in our communities.
As we come out of the Covid pandemic, all those businesses need staff to carry out their important work. So, if you love cars or motorbikes, the automotive sector has the job for you, right now.
MTA takes its responsibilities to communities seriously. We’re proud of that badge and what it stands for. It’s not given out lightly. Members are bound to strict standards, which means that when you use an MTA member, you can expect to receive the highest quality service.
MTA also has a disputes service if a problem arises and MTA repairers provide a free Repairer Warranty on their repairs, so you can be sure that they will stand behind their work. And because sustainability and caring for the planet are becoming increasingly important, MTA is embarking on a programme to ensure we are playing our part in keeping our country beautiful for us and future generations. We’re also a source of information for motorists about road safety, and we sell vouchers and gift cards that can be used by selected MTA members.
And to make sure the government has motorists and road safety firmly on its radar, we advocate and work with the government and its agencies on important automotive issues.
The motor trade industry contributes directly to the nation’s GDP by about $6.8 billion a year and employs around 80,000 New Zealanders. Why not join us?
For more information about MTA and our range of services, or to find an MTA member near you, visit www.mta.org.nz CT
Article written by Motor Trade Association media and public relations manager, Simon Bradwell. Photos kindly supplied by the MTA. Motor Trade Association 0800 00 11 44 mta@mta.org.nz www.mta.org.nz
027 438 6285
www.scrs.org.nz
Whether you live in a residential suburb or in a complex with retired people, sharing space with cars and pedestrians will always be a challenge. Everyone has an opinion about who has the right of way in a village setting. The ultimate conflict is between people who believe pedestrians have priority or people who believe cars have preference. What do you think?
When we regard the access road to our unit/home as a driveway, we immediately consider pedestrians (including people in wheelchairs or other mobility devices) and pets as vulnerable. You would not drive at a faster speed than 5-10km/h. This principle applies to mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs. Any heavy moving object poses a risk to people and pets.
“I live on a busy road and find it hard to safely get out of my driveway due to the high traffic volume”. Does this sound like you? There are a few things you could consider. Reversing will always be more demanding than driving forward. Unless you have space inside your property to turn around, you will have to back out at some point.
It is difficult to back out onto the road when your visibility is limited. It is better/safer to reverse into your garage or driveway when you can see what is out on the road or footpath. This way, you allow other road users to see your intentions and react. It will take a bit of practice, but it will pay off.
Stop and signal, as you would do when you parallel park. Check that the road and footpath are clear. Proceed carefully to reverse into your garage or driveway. At first, it will take a bit longer, but as you do it repeatedly, you will master it in less time.
Keep the sides of your garage clear of objects to give you a bit of room.
Before driving forward, remember to toot briefly to warn pedestrians of your intentions. You have to give way to them.
Could you give it a go? It may not be for you, so do it the way you feel comfortable doing it.
Road Safety CoordinatorIt all started in 2019 when we purchased the land and transformed the previous building into what it is today - a strong and passionate fast-growing dealership from corner to corner. We have taken the commercial market by storm here in Christchurch, achieving the Number One South Island dealer with cookie cutting moulds, shaping our potential and exceeding expectations of customers.
Right from the days of having only single digit numbers of staff members, through to today with over 20 staff who all contribute to making SsangYong & LDV a player to compete with. So, what is our brand history you might ask? Well, SsangYong is from South Korea, and is in fact the oldest Korean vehicle manufacturer. SsangYong specialises in luxurious Utes, SUVs and Mini SUVs.
Our second brand, LDV (formerly known as Leyland DAF Vans), was a British van manufacturer.
LDV has now relocated and is manufactured out of the second biggest vehicle manufacturer in the world! This is the same factory Volkswagen is manufactured from for the domestic Chinese market.
LDV now specialises in a wide range of commercial vans, Utes and SUVs. Don’t get us wrong, we don’t just have great value for money vehicles to suit all lifestyles, we also have a great after sales service.
Head of the family – Blake Breezy, the one that makes it easy!
I have worked for the company for 11 years. My journey began as a car groomer at Great Lake Motor Distributors in Taupo. Within three years I became a new vehicle pre-delivery inspection and wheel alignment technician and then moved into parts and service.
I soon found out tools were not my forte and as everyone realised, I talk a lot! I had the opportunity to go to Mystery Creek Field Days in 2014 where I was asked to put down the grooming cloth and talk to people. The owners took a shine towards my personality and work ethic. Within those four days I contributed to selling 12 cars. A week after Field Days, I was presented with my first business card as a sales consultant in the Auckland Takanini SsangYong & LDV dealership.
I never thought I’d find myself sipping coffee and wearing shiny brown shoes every day. In 2017, I moved to the West Auckland dealership where I became the top salesperson for New Zealand SsangYong & LDV.
Fast forward to 2019, I was approached with the opportunity to move to the South Island to pioneer the sales team in Christchurch and flood the streets with SsangYong & LDV.
It was not the reality I was expecting. We experienced many challenges and overcame adversity to rebuild and strengthen the brand within the Christchurch community.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of taking on the role of general manager, actioning my passion
to eradicate the negative stigma surrounding the public’s perception of car dealerships.
To the future...
In just a short amount of time we have been able to spread our brand far and wide throughout the market in Christchurch, winning awards and making an impact with many customer referrals and repeat business.
We are grateful for the support from the community which we are blessed to have the opportunity to serve and support.
As we continue to grow in Christchurch, our goal is to continue to add value to the industry with creative social media activity and promotions to build our strong customer base for generations to come!
Families, local businesses, new and preowned car buyers, we invite you to take a step through our front door and experience the honest way to buy a vehicle.
From internal combustion to electric, Utes, SUVs, Mini SUVs, and commercial vans, we have something for everyone!
With a Children’s playroom and a miniature café, bring the kids along and grab yourself a delicious cup of barista-made coffee and come and check out what’s hot on the block!
With market beating prices and finance options that are too good to say no to, this dealership will have you driving away in your dream car into the beautiful scenery of this gorgeous country we call home.
We’ll see you there!
From our coffees and our cars, to our service and exceptional family orientated culture, this is the standard practice at Christchurch SsangYong & LDV, located on Manchester Street.General manager Blake Brown, dealership financial controller Kate Anderson and business manager, Jeffrey Hendry
Families, local businesses, new and preowned car buyers, we invite you to take a step through our front door and experience the honest way to buy a vehicle.
Environment Canterbury is responsible for public transport in the region. These electric vehicles join its fleet as part of a commitment to meeting emission reduction targets under the Regional Public Transport Plan.
Ultimately, by 2035, the fleet will be entirely electric.
Environment Canterbury Chair, Peter Scott, believes these new electric vehicles have already impacted the city.
“Customers have loved telling us how much they enjoy riding on our new electric buses, finding them a smoother, quieter, more comfortable ride,” Peter says.
“We’ve heard from many cyclists and pedestrians as well, who enjoy the cleaner air when passing by one of these buses!”
Electric buses now make up 20 percent of Environment Canterbury’s Metro Urban fleet.
The mother of all road trips
In what could be considered the ultimate roadie, the 16 most recent electric buses to join the Metro fleet at Go Bus in Christchurch did so by way of a road trip from Auckland.
Go Bus chief executive and head of Kinetic’s New Zealand operations, Calum Haslop, says the road trip was an ideal opportunity to demonstrate the vehicle’s capabilities.
“These electric buses can do around 400 kilometres between charges, so the 1000-kilometre drive from Auckland took them two days, charging in the middle of the day at Taupo then overnight at Wellington,” Calum says.
“Our buses typically travel 300 kilometres a day on Metro’s network, so it’s clear that they are more than capable of completing a full day’s work.”
Treading lightly
Calum says both Go Bus and Environment Canterbury recognise their role in moving more people in a way that treads even more lightly on our planet.
“Environmental sustainability, safety and reliability are top of mind when choosing an electric bus.
“We are incredibly excited about the transition of Metro’s fleet to greener and cleaner technology.
“Every bus that goes into service replaces a diesel one.
“In 2023, our electric fleet will reduce Metro’s carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by an estimated 18 percent; equivalent to nearly 2,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide saved annually, compared to a fully diesel fleet,” he says.
“Likewise, the emissions reduction from these electric buses includes 16,000 kilograms of Nitrogen Oxide emissions and 140 kilograms of particulate matter 10 (PM10), which is also a win for air quality,” he says.
The remainder of the urban fleet will be gradually replaced in the coming years under Environment Canterbury’s commitment to having a fully zero-emission fleet by 2035 at the latest.
The government has been supporting the move to decarbonisation with additional funding to enable only zero-emission public transport buses to be purchased from 2025.
“Each of these buses has an immediate positive impact on the community, on the planet and on the experience for people who choose to travel with Metro every day.
“With 100 more on order for Kinetic’s New Zealand operations, we are leading the way towards a zero-emission future,” Calum says. For more information about Metro’s sustainability progress, visit: metroinfo.co.nz/sustainability.
Data provided by Emission: Impossible Ltd, a New Zealand consultancy specialising in air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable transport management. CT
The streets of Christchurch and its surrounding towns are a little quieter, and a lot greener, with 16 brand new electric buses recently joining the 28 EVs already travelling Metro’s bus routes.
Customers have loved telling us how much they enjoy riding on our new electric buses, finding them a smoother, quieter, more comfortable ride.
EV City is Christchurch’s specialist Electric and Hybrid Vehicle education and retail store.
Nissan Leaf 24kWh
Nissan Leaf 62kWh
Toyota Prius PHV
Nissan Leaf 30kWh
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
BMW i3
Tesla Model 3
Nissan Leaf 40kWh
Nissan e-NV200
Tesla Model S
Tesla Model X
the Universities New Zealand – Te Pokai Tara website at www.universitiesnz.ac.nz
Lincoln has around 3400 students and 600plus staff nestled in a population of 65,000 in Selwyn, already a fast-growing and vibrant district, so is sure to have an impact.
There is also a significant benefit from the research carried out at Lincoln. There is shown to be a long-term return to the economy of over $5 for every dollar invested in university research in New Zealand.
As a specialist land-based university, its unique research and education contributes to creating a greater understanding of the relationship between land, food and ecosystems.
Universities make a direct economic contribution to any region through their purchase of local goods and services and the spending by students and staff.
A 2016 study carried out by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) found that Lincoln University directly spends $71 million, while students, who come from around New Zealand and the world, spend $94 million. This spending generates more cash flow in the area, estimated at $594 million. A report on the study, entitled Economic impact of universities – An analysis of the contribution of New Zealand universities to economic activity, is available on
Lincoln is ranked at 368 overall in the QS World University Rankings and first-equal of the New Zealand universities in the subjects of agriculture and forestry. The University is also ranked fourth-equal out of eight New Zealand universities in THE World University Rankings for 2023.
Leading research and development for the benefit of the primary sector, it hosts 17 research centres, and develops strategic relationships with like-minded organisations, including Crown Research Institutes (CRIs) such as AgResearch, also based in Lincoln, iwi, central and local government agencies. Physical proximity makes the transfer of knowledge and technology easier from universities. Businesses, as well as CRIs located near universities, can more easily take advantage of information and ideas, all adding up to making Lincoln the centre of a unique knowledge hub.
Innovations such as ClearTech, an effluent treatment system that recycles water and increases effluent storage capability, and the
Ecopond system which removes virtually all methane emitted from effluent ponds, developed by Lincoln University researchers and Ravensdown, could provide local benefits.
Or they could flow from multidisciplinary research and development company Lincoln Agritech, owned by Lincoln University, or business unit B.linc Innovation which enables the discovery of innovative solutions through encouraging connections and collaborations between farmers, scientists and academics.
In addition, the research capability at New Zealand universities provides a local access point to international academic research and funding.
Lincoln University attracts top international talent to teach and conduct research and has built strong relationships with universities around the globe, which includes membership of Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) and the Global Challenges University Alliance, all contributing to its world-class teaching and research.
Lincoln also contributes to increased levels of economic activity. Many of its programmes are designed with input from employers, so students develop the industry-specific knowledge and hands-on experience they need to move into great careers as soon as they graduate. With the highest graduate employment rate amongst all New Zealand’s universities, Lincoln University graduates arrive at their careers globally connected, forwardthinking and ready to shape tomorrow.
The Lincoln University campus is a busy and thriving asset for the Selwyn community,
featuring top-class facilities for the district to utilise, such as the recently redeveloped Whare Hakinakina LU Gym, which is open to the community, staff and students.
The annual Lincoln University Community Day, co-hosted by the student association LUSA, is held annually in September, with the public invited onto campus for a fun day of family oriented activities, from bouncy castles and face-painting to sheep shearing.
Local schools benefit from Te Matapuna Matatahi | Children’s University, established by Lincoln University and the University of Canterbury in 2018, the first of its kind in New Zealand.
The programme aims to raise aspirations towards higher and further education for 7 to 14 year-olds, encouraging them to try new things, embrace lifelong learning and explore the learning opportunities in their local community, as well as giving them a taste of university life, research and teaching.
As it heads towards its 150th anniversary as a globally recognised centre of research and teaching, as well as a long-term generator of economic activity, Lincoln University remains proud to claim Selwyn as home.
There’s certain to be a way you or your business could benefit from starting a journey with Lincoln, through study, collaboration, or utilising our research.
Check out wwww.lincoln.ac to see where it could lead.
Te Whare Wanaka o Aoraki Lincoln University’s economic contribution to Selwyn can be measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as in how it trains the district’s workforce and leads the innovation which benefits local businesses.
The Waikirikiri Selwyn Welcoming Communities Network was set up as a part of Council’s commitment to the Ministry of Business’ Immigration and Employment Welcoming Communities Plan.
Selwyn is one of 27 councils participating in this plan, and was one of the four councils to pilot this initiative.
Thirteen people across several migrant and community groups attended the most recent event, organised by the network, at Lincoln Event Centre on December 14 last year.
Key speakers included University of Canterbury Masters Student Jerome Wong Yit who discussed his research – in collaboration with the Council - on the wellbeing needs of the Filipino community in Rolleston and ways to support them better.
Hafsa Ahmed from Lady Khajida Trust spoke about her upcoming ethnic women’s leadership course, funded by the Ministry of Ethnic Communities, and speakers from Lincoln University discussed its work with international students and creating opportunities to connect with migrant communities.
Community and Economic Development advisor and host of the event, Kirstin DingwallOkoye says the focus of these events is to connect newcomer groups and services, share information and enable collaborations where the needs are most essential.
Ministry of Ethnic Communities’ strategic engagement and partnership advisor, Fay El Hanafy, says she really enjoyed the chance to network at this event.
“Because Selwyn is my focus area, it’s important to network at these events and be involved with how we can make Selwyn a better place for migrant communities.”
In 2023, Council hopes to offer more of these networking opportunities for migrants in Selwyn, which kicked off with a kai table and public opening of the Welcoming Communities funded plaque at Te Ara Atea in February. CT
Because Selwyn is my focus area, it’s important to network at these events and be involved with how we can make Selwyn a better place for migrant communities.
As part of the Government’s NZ Upgrade Programme, around $125 million will be spent on helping people get around Rolleston more efficiently and safely, says Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.
The key piece of highway infrastructure included in the package of improvements will be a 114 metre-long flyover over SH1 linking the inland ports and industrial zone on the north side of the town with the residential side and schools on the southern side.
Originally proposed on a skewed angle and measuring more than 160 metres, two rounds of public consultation, technical advice and analysis has settled on a shorter, less complex and more direct flyover.
It will also cater for people walking or on bikes, says Waka Kotahi director Regional Relationships, James Caygill.
“We’ve listened to the community throughout this extensive consultation process. We know that there are 750 pupils at West Rolleston Primary School on Dunns Crossing Road whose needs and safety are a key focus.
“Overall, people were more supportive of the recommended plan since changes were made after the first round of consultation in 2021,” James says.
Selwyn District Mayor Sam Broughton says it’s been great to work closely with the Waka Kotahi team on the much-needed project.
“It will provide better travel options, keep our people safe and help our District’s economy grow. Connecting the residential and industrial sides of Rolleston with a flyover will future proof the town, I also I look forward to seeing much improved traffic flow around the area.
“Based on community feedback our Council will also plan coordinated upgrades to our local road network to dovetail with Waka Kotahi’s plans.”
As well as the more direct flyover which will maintain continuity of the Jones Road arterial route, there will be safety upgrades to four highway intersections and improved walking and cycling routes lining up with Selwyn District’s existing and planned shared path network.
A new two-lane roundabout will help to address a serious crash hotspot at the SH1, Dunns Crossing and Walkers Roads intersection.
“We are not just planning for the 28,000 people living in Rolleston now, but also futureproofing,” James says.
“For example, by allowing space along the highway corridor and under the flyover to add lanes in future if needed.”
Other future-focused changes to the original plan include additional highway access points to spread the traffic load and provide safer and more reliable access at the Rolleston Interchange at Weedons Road.
There will be a free left turn lane onto the highway from Hoskyns Road and a new offramp from the southbound service road to
Rolleston Drive North, connecting to Jones Road via the flyover.
Safety barriers
Flexible median barriers to prevent head-on collisions will be installed from the end of the Christchurch Southern Motorway north of the town through to Dunns Crossing Road and more signage installed to guide people as they enter the town environs.
Where to now?
The next stage for Rolleston’s transport infrastructure is detailed design starting the second half of 2023, following the current detailed business case stage, expected to be completed by mid-2023.
Alongside the detailed design stage, property acquisition and consent applications will be developed leading to a phased construction stage, expected to get underway in 2024/2025.
In terms of construction, the first step would be the Dunns Crossing/Walkers Roads roundabout which needs to be up and running so traffic can safely cross the highway before construction of the flyover begins.
The flyover itself could begin construction as early as 2026, going through to 2028. CT
south of Christchurch, is about to take its next big leap into the future.
Timaru District Libraries is very excited to announce the launch of its online database aorakiheritage.recollect.co.nz which can be accessed from the Timaru District Libraries homepage. A key aim of the database is to provide easy online access to non-lendable material in the Aoraki Heritage Collection. This is an ongoing digitalisation project, with items being added regularly.
The Aoraki Heritage Collection is a permanent collection of published material that captures the history of the people, places and environment of the South Canterbury region. The collection covers the entire South Canterbury area, from the Rangitata River in the north, to the Waitaki River in the south, and inland right over to Aoraki/Mt Cook. The collection consists of everything from family histories, school, club and church jubilees, school magazines, promotional publications, local guidebooks and directories, cook books, and fiction by local authors. The Library also holds copies of local newspapers including the Timaru Herald, dating back to 1864.
Whilst a lot of these items are available for lending, access to many of them (including newspapers) is problematic due to issues such as fragility and/or rarity. Using the cloud based Recollect platform, Aoraki Heritage Online now provides public access to over 3,000 items from the collection, including newspaper clippings, publications (including school magazines), photographs, and other information items relating to people, places, organisations and events.
As the Library receives many research enquiries, not only from its local library users, but also from around New Zealand and overseas, the online database will increase access for those looking to research South Canterbury history. It is also especially important now with the introduction of the Aotearoa New Zealand’s Histories curriculum, which has a strong focus on local history.
The digitalisation project is ongoing, and as time goes on many more items will be scanned and uploaded to the platform. For more information about the Aoraki Heritage Collection and Aoraki Heritage Online, contact Heritage Librarians Marie Rapley and Julie James, or email aoraki@timdc.govt.nz
Timaru District Libraries offer a wide selection of print, large print, audio, jigsaws, DVDs and magazines. Thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks for people of all ages are available across our digital platforms: BorrowBox, OverDrive, Hoopla and ePlatform by Wheelers. Patrons can download the platform apps to their preferred devices for convenient access to favourite authors and genres, and for reading on-the-go. As well as eBooks and eAudiobooks, Hoopla also has a wide range of comics and music to enjoy.
Library members also have access to a large and ever-growing collection of films, documentaries and television shows to stream through the Kanopy, Beamafilm and Hoopla platforms. Currently patrons may borrow up to 20 items each from Kanopy and Hoopla per month. Beamafilm offers unlimited streaming. There is plenty of great content for children on these platforms too and unlimited access to Kanopy Kids.
There is lots of fantastic online content for children to explore and enjoy. One of our favourite additions, LOTE Online, is a database of over 1200 digital picture books in over 40 languages. Each book includes an English translation to help children with language learning. New books are added regularly to the database.
It is now free for anyone to join Timaru District Libraries, no matter where they live. The outof-district subscription fee has been removed so there is no better time to become a member and discover all that our library branches have to offer. There is something for everyone. To find out more about our fantastic services and collections visit our library branches in Timaru, Temuka and Geraldine, or find us on Facebook, Instagram or at www.timarudistrictlibraries.co.nz
It is now free for anyone to join Timaru District Libraries, no matter where they live. The out-of-district subscription fee has been removed so there is no better time to become a member and discover all that our library branches have to offer. There is something for everyone.
Regular travellers along this route know it as a great place to stop for good coffee, fish and chips, spacious public toilets and a fenced playground for the kids to work off some energy before getting back on the road - but stay a while and you can find much more.
The town is nestled into Kurow Hill which offers panoramic views of the Hakataramea Valley, and the braids of the Waitaki River for anyone with enough puff to climb the track and reach its peak.
The local community have hefted armchairs up the incline so walkers can catch their breath and enjoy the view along the way.
The headwaters of the Waitaki River are fed from Kā Roimata o Aoraki -the tears of Aoraki - the ancestral mountain of Kāi Tahu Whānui. The riverbed is a dynamic environment with the intertwining braided channels and gravel bars constantly shifting.
Local shops sell fishing gear and seasonal licenses to catch trout found in meandering waterways and sea salmon which run the Waitaki River to Kurow late summer and autumn.
Restored from an old landfill by dedicated volunteers, today the Kurow island and wetland are the perfect place for a walk and picnic beside the river.
Fishing, hiking, cycling, hunting, and add a 9-hole golf course into the mix, and you have a hub for recreation activities suited to all kinds of interests.
Kurow (Te Kohurau) is a rural township 45 minutes’ drive west from the town of Oamaru along State Highway 83, as you head towards
The Kurow Hotel is a 40-minute drive from Oamaru and is on the SH83 route to Omarama, being the gateway to the Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mt Cook. The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, which begins at Aoraki/Mt Cook, goes right past our doorway on its journey to Oamaru.
About us
We are a family-friendly hotel with a country atmosphere and serve delicious food at affordable prices. Being the only two-storey hotel in town, there is privacy with great views. There is a restaurant, bar and separate function room downstairs, which opens to a secluded walled sunny garden to relax in after a hard day on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle trail. You can dine in the balmy summer evening and enjoy sampling from our selection of River-T wines.
There is an extensive dinner menu, with cut lunches and continental breakfasts available. Cooked breakfasts are available by
arrangement. We have an all-day menu and bar snacks are also available.
Facilities
There is off-street car parking and lock-up facilities for bicycles, together with laundry facilities on site. Free WiFi is available to guests.
Continental and cooked breakfast is available by arrangement.
The public bar includes a pool table, SKY Sports TV and pokie machines.
Come and join your hosts Ross and Trish for convivial hospitality in the “Top Pub” of Kurow.
Accommodation
Enjoy 16 warm, comfortable upstairs rooms, as well as modern bathroom facilities. These include the choice of single, twin or double rooms. There are four rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Free WiFi is available to guests.
Room Facilities
• TV
• Non-smoking rooms
• Electric blankets
• Free WiFi
• Hairdryer available.
Hotel Facilities
• Complimentary tea/coffee in dining room
• Laundry room
• On-site parking
• Fridge in upstairs lounge
• Continental and cooked breakfast by arrangement
• SKY TV in bar
• EFTPOS/VISA/all major credit cards accepted.
Ross and Trish welcome you to the Kurow Hotel, also known as “The Top Pub”, being an 1880 heritage hotel in the town centre. We are situated at 55 Bledisloe Street, Kurow, being walking distance to all amenities, including the Information Centre/Museum, shops, garage, cafés and the Waitaki River.
The Kurow Hotel is a 40-minute drive from Oamaru and is on the SH83 route to Omarama, being the gateway to the Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki/Mt Cook. The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, which begins at Aoraki/Mt Cook, goes right past our doorway on its journey to Oamaru.
Kurow Activities
• Close to the Waitaki River for fishing and boating
• Close to vineyards, being River-T Estate Winery, Ostler Winery and Kurow Estate (Pasquale) Winery
• On the The Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail
• Close to the three lakes Waitaki, Aviemore and Benmore for all boating sports
• Golf course nearby with club hire available
• Near the Kurow Hill walkway
• Bowling green and tennis courts close by
• Covered swimming pool
• Squash courts
• Awakino Ski Field.
New Year’s Eve is an exception, with the Kurow Races drawing a crowd on December 30swelling the local population from just under 400 to over 4,000.
Then, with a day to recover (or party on), January 1st sees the town put on its annual Market Day where locals and visitors can ease into the new year with strong coffee, fresh produce and artisanal craft.
Roots still run deep in the agricultural industry and working the land with summer fruit orchards, vineyards. Growing additions to economic activity are boutique restaurants,
craft and clothing stores, plus an unsurprising number of photographers now choosing to base their practice in this landscape with so much raw material on their doorstep.
Waitaki Valley locations are so sought after as backdrops for nuptials and wedding photos that a collective of local businesses has formed to support this market and share resources. Honeymooners and other travellers can stay over in one of Kurow’s iconic brightly coloured hotels or find boutique lodges, farmstays, glamping experiences, and even luxury treehouses in the area. CT
Nearby the Awakino Ski Field sits high in the St Marys Range and offers an affordable, backto-basics taster of the pioneering spirit of the early days of skiing in New Zealand.
The Kurow to Duntroon section of the Alps 2 Ocean Cycle Trail, one of NZ’s ‘Great Rides’, can be slow going with the distractions of stunning views across the valley and the wineries it winds between.
This relatively new wine region, with its unique limestone/greywacke/schist soils, has attracted a handful of intrepid producers crafting Pino Noirs, Pinot Gris and Reislings.
An early travel route and settlement for the Waitaha people, then later a service town
for those who came seeking their fortunes during the gold rush, Kurow was end point of the Kurow Branch railway, opened in 1881 and closed in 1983.
Kurow became a base for the building of the Waitaki Dam and forming Lake Waitaki as the first in a series of hydroelectric projects were carried out on Waitaki River.
A visit to the quirky Kurow Museum is a chance to explore more of the history of early settlement, industry and agriculture. You can also pick up a Heritage Trail map and tour notable buildings in the area.
It’s a place that can hardly be described as bustling, but that’s part of the charm.
If you are thinking of selling or buying property within the Mackenzie and Waitaki regions, let’s talk!
Whitestone Contracting Ltd is a leading civil construction company that operates throughout the South Island. With approximately 100 loyal and dedicated employees coupled with a wide range of plant we undertake jobs of any size and deliver these with pride and care. Whitestone Contracting Ltd provides a high level of service. We have strong working relationships with our clients, the community and key stakeholders.
Established in 1992, Rosebank Lifecare offers a place of tranquillity where you and your loved ones can feel safe, secure and cared for by our friendly and qualified staff. Encompassing a hospital, rest home facility and independent villa living and serviced apartments, we cater to a wide range of needs. We offer a warm friendly atmosphere with comfortable facilities. Our goal at Rosebank Lifecare is for everyone to live life to the fullest, irrespective of their health or condition. Each Resident is treated as an individual whose life experiences and personal values are to be respected. We value the support of family and friends to achieve the best for our residents. All enquiries and visits are welcome and we look forward to showing you our facility. If life is what you make it, Rosebank Lifecare could be the best decision you’ve ever made.
Our skilled and dedicated team provide a level of service that is unmatched, and we ensure that we exceed our client’s expectations on every project by meeting deadlines and budgets.
We are proud to serve our clients in the canterbury region and would love to take the time to chat with you about your next project. Our skilled team are experienced in providing a high-end product that exceeds expectations.
Glass Repairs & Replacements
Insurance Claims
Retro-fit Double Glazing
Commercial Glass & Store Fronts
Frameless Glass Showers
Glass Splashbacks
Glazing For New Builds
Glass Balustrades
Glass windbreaks & Shelters
Glass Canopies
Our dedicated team has over 60 years of industry experience between them, so you can be assured that you are in safe hands when dealing with us.
Sales: Daniel Searle 021 327 545
Hours: 7:30am – 5:30am (Mon - Fri)
Showroom & Workshop: Postal: PO Box 161, Rangiora, 7440
Physical: 5 Southern Cross Drive,Rangiora (Flaxton Rd, Business Park)
It has been the simple solution to many a harried Kiwi’s cooking dilemma. Simply rip open the bag, tip it into the frying pan, with a dashing of oil, a sprinkling of pepper and salt –viola – it’s the perfect side dish.
Ever wondered where exactly that prepackaged plastic bag full of frozen peas, carrots, corn, broccoli, freshly snapped peas and the other healthy delicious range of vegetables, that makes life so much easier, came from? Well wonder no more.
Local growers grow McCain’s produce, which is then harvested and washed, the vegetables are blanched, snap-frozen, bulk-packed, stored and packaged into the beautifully presented retail pack that can be found in the frozen veggie aisle at the local supermarket or grocery store.
Each bag is filled with the one hundred percent pure and natural McCain frozen vegetables that have been snap-frozen by the experts at the plant to preserve all the nutrients, freshness and flavour that makes vegetables so great.
With their convenient frozen shelf life, excellent presentation and delicious taste it is no wonder that McCain Foods has become a mainstay in many a New Zealander’s freezer.
Frozen food can be nutritious
One of the most important facts about frozen foods is that commercial freezing effectively locks in nutritional value. In 1998 the U.S. Federal Department of Agriculture wrote in the Federal Register: “The nutrient profiles of selected raw fruits and vegetables and frozen, single ingredient versions of the same fruits and vegetables revealed relatively equivalent nutrient profiles … In fact, some data showed that the nutrient content level for certain nutrients was higher in the frozen version of the food than in the raw version of the food.”
have your requirements covered, with a service that’s tailored specifically for your needs.
Frozen food is often more affordable
Frozen products are often lower in cost per serving and have a much greater shelf life than refrigerated foods. They can also be more easily portioned and stored for use at a later time, which reduces spoilage and food waste.
Frozen food is generally safer
Frozen has the least number of food safety incidents, behind chilled, fresh and organic foods. The freezing and canning processes inhibit the growth of some pathogens and therefore reduce the likelihood of serving contaminated products.
Frozen food can reduce waste
The global food crisis isn’t just about skyrocketing prices. While Americans waste 27 per cent of the food available for consumption, with two-thirds of this waste deriving from fresh produce (milk, grain products and sweeteners), the British toss away a third of the food they purchase. In addition to the food waste, rotting food that ends up in landfills produces methane – a major source of greenhouse gas. It is estimated that recovering just five per cent of the food that is wasted would feed four million people a day.
Some helpful tips from the team at McCain
Best frying practice
To ensure your McCain fries always present and taste as appealing as possible, it’s important to follow ‘best practice’ cooking procedures. Here are some handy hints to pass on to your staff:
• Cook from frozen where possiblefrozen fries will absorb less oil during cooking
• Avoid “Double Dipping”, reheating fries in oil - this leads to greater oil absorption and adversely affects flavour and texture
• Cook to manufacturer’s recommended cooking time
• Shake cooked fries over the fryer and where possible, place on absorbent paper to remove any excess oil and grease
• Don’t sprinkle salt on fries before serving - many customers prefer unsalted fries
• Cook to order and avoid holding for more than five minutes - this allows fries to stack better, so you’ll use less fries per portion.
• Do not thaw or rinse frozen food before cooking
• Never thaw and then refreeze frozen foods
• Check the temperature of your refrigerator, freezer and cool room regularly. Freezer temperature should be no warmer than -18°C
• Frozen foods keep at -18°C, but for peak quality should be used within the recommended use-by date
• Cook frozen vegetables in as little water as possible, to keep maximum vitamin and nutritional value. Or cook in the microwave - there’s no need to add water unless the quantity of vegetables being cooked is very large
• Steaming and stir-frying are also excellent cooking methods for frozen vegetables and like microwaving, these help retain maximum nutrient values.
Environmental initiatives
McCain Foods vegetable processing factory in Timaru is now producing French fries using a boiler system powered by woodchips instead of coal, seeking to minimise waste by 20 percent and position itself as an industry leader.
The NZ Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry Fund (GIDI) contributed NZD 2.876 million (USD 1.8 million) towards McCain’s 5.6 million dollar conversion project.
Energy and Resources Minister, Megan Woods, says “By converting their coal boiler to burn domestically sourced woodchips, made possible by government co-funding, McCain will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 30,000 tonnes per year, the equivalent of taking 11,000 cars off the road.
“This kind of project – converting largescale industrial processes to clean energy alternatives – is a great example of what can be done when the government partners with industry to make big things happen quicker.”
In addition to the conversion, McCain Timaru has also put in place a heat recovery system that uses mechanical vapour recompression to lower the need for steam.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw says initiatives like this one are essential to the nation’s Emissions Reduction Plan and a significant step towards reaching net-zero.
The technology recovers waste heat from the fryer for use elsewhere in the facility, reducing total energy consumption and fuel use by more than 37,000 GJ/year, nearly equivalent to the electricity consumed by 1,400 families. CT
McCain Foods Timaru
63 Meadows Road Washdyke
www.mccain.co.nz
Looking after your body and mind by making good food choices is a great way to take control of the health of your whole whanau, and we’re seeing many more Kiwis embracing the 5+ A Day advice.
Businesses looking to attract workers back to the office must consider the health advantages their employees have become accustomed to at home.
Workplaces can do a lot to keep their staff healthy by offering snacks with high nutritional value, such as fresh fruit or cut vegetables.
— Advertising Feature
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The Menzies Group is based in Timaru and delivers domestic, commercial and industrial services for plumbing, engineering, roofing, drainlaying, gasfitting and contracting throughout the South Canterbury region.
We sell and install leading brands so be sure to visit our shop page to see our extensive range of products.
www.menziesgroup.co.nz
New consumer research has shown that New Zealanders are visiting stores less often, snacking more, driving less, and sharing more meals with other members of our households. As a result, retailers and growers from New Zealand’s $6 billion horticulture industry are noticing that the changing way we work is increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables we eat.
The additional time at home allows us to prepare home-cooked meals more regularly rather than relying on pre-packaged snacks and ready meals.
The result means serving food with a much higher nutritional content packed with fresh ingredients such as seasonal vegetables. This renewed interest in home cooking couldn’t come at a better time.
A new study reveals that encouraging people to eat less meat and more fruit and vegetables in our post-pandemic world could prevent up to 26 million deaths worldwide annually by 2060. In addition to our increased appetite for fresh produce, the way that New Zealanders carry out their shopping has also fundamentally changed.
Retailers are finding many WFH shoppers are using internet ordering for their weekly shop as they’re not out and about in the car as much. They’re also home to receive deliveries of perishable goods like fruit from their local supermarket or a delivery box service.
Online shopping also means that there are fewer impulse purchases. All this is changing the retail environment considerably as stores need to consider variables like staffing levels across the two different service environments. Health and wellbeing have been firmly in the spotlight since COVID-19.
Looking after your body and mind by making good food choices is a great way to take control of the health of your whole whanau, and we’re seeing many more Kiwis embracing the 5+ A Day advice.
Providing adequate space for employees to reheat prepared food is also essential, particularly as inflation is hitting our food budgets.
And while most of those WFH have picked up healthy new eating habits, there are still health risks to be aware of compared to the traditional office environment.
Increased snacking is often a feature of the WFH day, as is a feeling of isolation from the ‘team’.
However, keeping up with a diet high in vitamins and minerals such as those found in fresh seasonal produce is beneficial for managing weight and mental health.
With more of us prioritising a healthy work/life balance, working from home, and the financial pressures of inflation, the ‘WFH diet’ looks to be a feature of the Kiwi lifestyle in years to come.
If the trend continues, this should spell a significant increase in health and wellbeing for whanau throughout Aotearoa. CT
With around 40 percent of the Kiwi workforce working from home full-time or in a hybrid home/office scenario, our way of eating and shopping during the workday is changing dramatically.
loved one. There will be laughter as well as tears and it can be an important bonding time for your family.
An ‘event’ helps a family move through the grief process
By Gillian Boyes, CEO Funeral Directors Association
The funeral ‘event’ can help you begin to acknowledge the reality that someone in your life has died. Grief is a biological reaction, and it can be externalised though the event –something that will help with your immediate and future mental wellbeing.
Funerals help us recall and remember – and even learn about a loved one
“I don’t want a fuss,” said my mum. “And it’s so expensive,” dad added.
It’s a common refrain and as a newcomer to the industry was one I was initially challenged to respond to. But over the last few months I’ve come to understand why some kind of farewell is essential to those of us left behind.
Some of the early healing can help when you’re preparing for a funeral Going through old photos and reminiscing and sharing stories can be a powerful way to remember the significance of the life of your
How many times have you sat through a funeral eulogy and realised you didn’t know a certain fact about someone? Sharing unique memories and stories helps provide support to all those who attend.
They can involve people near and far
Many funeral homes now offer livestreaming of services reducing the cost and burden on physically attending.
Traditional, scripted services are no longer the norm
Modern funerals are personalised and can encompass whatever a family needs
to help them farewell their loved one in a meaningful way.
Venues these days, for instance, range from churches and chapels to sports clubs, theatres, or the local club. And families are encouraged to add their own touches and tributes – both to save money but to also make it meaningful for them.
Your needs are just as important as those of the person who died Finally, people often think they must ‘respect a person’s wishes’. But what about your own?
You’re the one left behind so it’s important for you and your own wellbeing that you get that chance to say goodbye, and to have support around you.
If you genuinely fear disrespecting their wishes, have ‘that’ conversation. It doesn’t have to be morbid or difficult – after all you’ll be talking to the person you love most, and they’ll understand you will need help to carry on without them.
Luckily, my parents were already planning to use a Funeral Directors Association member so I don’t have to have that conversation. But with my new found knowledge I’ve also been able to talk to them about what I need from the funeral itself. And at least a little bit of fuss is what’s right for me. CT
We help people honour lives. We bring families, friends and communities together to say goodbye on their terms and within their means.
Arranging a funeral can be overwhelming and grief doesn’t always make sense. Our services are designed to give you comfort, respect and dignity.
Simplicity is for everyone
‘Memories Lounge’ for a small group which can include refreshments and a cuppa. Our team can give advice on all aspects of funerals and can also guide you through preplanning and pre-paying options – just ask us. Whatever your needs, we will look after you with care and compassion so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
JAMIE HARVEY Dip FD. Reg FD. Manager & Funeral Director
We know it doesn’t have to cost the earth to mean the world. Our services mean you can say goodbye on your terms, because simplicity means living (and dying) within your means. We always provide the most respectful and affordable option that suits your needs.
About Us
We can arrange funeral services and family farewells in any venue of your choice. Jamie, Mike, Nick, and Nina all have a passion for helping people, and creating unique and personalised farewells. Finding the right venue is very important, whether it is the Canterbury or Harewood Crematorium chapels, your home, church, graveside at thec emetery, or some place quite different and personal - it’s up to you. We can also have family gatherings in our
“We pride ourselves on the very high level of service we provide and are mobile funeral directors, so we can come to you, which can make organising a funeral just that little bit easier.”
Shortly after I began in this role I spoke to my parents about their wishes for a funeral.
Modern funerals are personalised and can encompass whatever a family needs to help them farewell their loved one in a meaningful way.
The Funeral Directors Association represents funeral directing firms carrying out the majority of funerals in New Zealand. Members offer everything from full service to simple funerals and many offer new types of services such as natural burials.
Direct cremations (or no-service cremations) are also available, and firms will help you understand how you can still have a meaningful f farewell with loved ones if choosing that option.
Choosing a Funeral Directors Association member is your assurance of a meaningful farewell. The choice to join and be accepted as a member means a commitment to provide a thoroughly professional and high-quality service and abide by our standards. By working with a member you also have access to our complaints process.
For more information about pre-planning and pre-paying for your final farewell visit: www.funeraldirectors.co.nz.
Traditional or contemporary... a funeral should be affordable and it should be respectful. Simplicity Funerals offer burial and cremation services.
Simplicity Funerals Nelson offers a simple and modern alternative to traditional funerals. Our approach is dignified, personal and stress- free. We pride ourselves on our flexibility and the many options we offer.
We are committed to providing your family with the finest in personal care. We treat all races and religions with the same utmost respect. We’ll take on the responsibilities of the physical care of your loved one, and the emotional care of those left behind.
We are a small team and we keep things very intimate and personal for the family of the deceased. We take great pride in the little details. We go above and beyond for the families we serve... but don’t just take our word for it – read our reviews.
276b Queen Street, (Petrie Carpark), Richmond 7020 P. 03 929 5145
69 Haven Road, Nelson, 7010 P. 03 539 0066 | nelson.simplicity.co.nz
Adrian Kay has owned and operated Dream Doors Christchurch since 2012.
Dream Doors Christchurch has won the Dream Doors New Zealand Franchisee of the year, every year from 2013. Dream Doors Christchurch also won the prestigious Westpac Franchise Association of New Zealand Franchisee of the year – Home Services in 2017, Home & Lifestyle Franchisee of the year in 2022, and the Franchisee Excellence in Customer Engagement in 2021 and 2022.
Dream Doors specialises in renovating and replacing kitchens as well as designing for new builds. We understand
the importance of creating a fabulous and functional space in the heart of your home for you and your family. Spending time together is one of the greatest investments you can make. Something amazing happens when you prepare and share food.
Whether you require our facelifting approach to modernise your kitchen, with new benchtops, doors and drawer’s fronts, or you require new cabinetry and layout, we will work with you to achieve your needs within your budget. We will present you with a wide range of NZ made beautiful, quality product choices, and guide you
through the decision-making process.
The Dream Doors team prioritise keeping disruption to a minimum for you and your family, with facelifting services often completed within one or two days. With an experienced and dedicated team, we are the trusted choice for your kitchen requirements.
Adrian and his team of skilled tradesman take great pride in their work and are ready to help you make your New Kitchen or Kitchen Renovation dreams come true. So, what are you waiting for? Get in contact with us today to supply all your kitchen renovating needs.
believe a beautiful kitchen creates a place for family and friends to gather with love.
All of our in-home services are provided by empathetic, fully trained support workers. We take the time to carefully match each client with a support worker we feel will ‘click,’ and we keep the same support worker in place for each client to enable genuine relationships.
Clients and whānau are always welcome to get in touch with us for more information.
www.alishomehealthcare.co.nz
We believe everyone deserves to have quality of life in their own home.
Ali’s Home Healthcare has been Canterbury owned and operated for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on providing a reliable service of the highest standard of in-home care and support.
In-home health care is more than just a job for us, we take the time to match you and your family with our carers. This is important to us, as it is proven that this stability adds value to people’s lives and overall wellbeing.
Our role is to empower our clients and give them the agency to make their own decisions about their care, rather than a prescribed care. We work with clients and their whānau to find out how we can best support that person to lead a fulfilling life. We see all our clients as valued individuals, capable and deserving of choosing the lives they want to lead.
Often, clients may not wish to enter residential living, so we ensure they can stay in their homes, retain their independence, and live the life they deserve.
We make sure we help clients stay in safe and healthy homes. All of our in- home services are provided by empathetic, fully trained support workers.
Clients’ whānau need to know their loved ones are safe, treated with respect, and looked after by people who genuinely care. We communicate closely with our clients' whānau and are always available for a call if someone's family have questions, would like more information about our care, or just want a quick and friendly chat.
We offer a full range of Personal Support, and our Services are designed to help with life’s enjoyment and daily tasks.
Services are completely tailored to meet each client’s individual needs, they include:
• Assistance with dressing and undressing
• Assistance washing or drying hair, or shaving
• ‘Sleepover and wakeover’ night support
• Medication oversight
• Nursing cares
• Meal preparation
• Feeding
• Assistance with showering, bathing or going to the toilet
But more than these usual tasks, we pride ourselves on helping people to live their best lives, whether that is a walk on the beach, a trip to the mall, or enjoying an ice-cream. Our carers take the time to understand what is important to the people they care for (that is the reason they are called carers.) This gives our support workers career satisfaction while adding value to you and your loved one’s lives.
Ali’s Home Healthcare values form from the way the team acts and these attributes are essential, which include reliability, consideration, dedication, affirmation, and care.
This is the foundation Ali’s has been built on and why our founder left mainstream home health care companies behind to create Ali’s Home Health Care. It is also why our founder employed staff whose main focus was on the person and their wellbeing, not just the task.
Our carers take the time to ensure you and your loved ones do not feel vulnerable or isolated, that they feel safe and ARE safe - the simple things like; homes are the right temperature, fridges don’t have unsafe food and there is something to eat
Sometimes our support workers are the only people your loved ones may see in a day, and you can take comfort in the knowledge that we will come in and ensure they are OK and safe.
Visit our website for more information around what we offer. Please do not hesistate to get in touch if you have any questions. Our friendly team are here to help and look forward to your enquiry.
www.alishomehealthcare.co.nz
(03) 379 3131
homehelp@aliscare.co.nz
14a Settlers Crescent, Ferrymead
