Canterbury Today Magazine Issue 171

HELPING KIDS SMILE

Caitlin Martin on Radio Lollipop's mission to help children

Smart money

Debunking common saving tips

Back to basics

Winding down without screen time

Lightening the load

Managing workplace stress

Home office ingredients

Make working from home a breeze

On the move

Keeping fit this winter

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.

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Publisher's note

This issue of Canterbury Today leads off talking to Radio Lollipop’s Caitlin Martin about a group of volunteers’ mission to help children.

We look at how Canterbury businesses are faring under ongoing economic pressure, the keys to staff retention, and how to make working from home a breeze. There are pieces on ways to create an energy efficient office, what you need to know (and can discard), about common savings tips, plus ways to manage workplace stress.

We’ve also included articles on how to wind down without screen time, keeping fit this winter, the importance of taking dietary requirements seriously, and interesting things to do in Christchurch this winter.

6 How are Canterbury businesses faring right now?

Rising costs across the board dominate companies’ concerns

The keys to staff retention Why it pays to nurture professional development

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Meet the

The significance of sustainable winegrowing

42 Timaru’s role in helping build and support Antarctic science

Motoring

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Winter motoring tips Construction

WasteMINZ is about much more than just rubbish Focus on

South Canterbury’s importance not to be ignored 17 36 42 Hiring -

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REDEFINING WHAT WORKING WITH A BOUTIQUE REAL ESTATE AGENCY SHOULD FEEL LIKE.

Founded on the belief that the real estate experience should be personal, direct, and innovative, The Hancock Group is shaping a future where every client feels truly valued, heard, and served.

This approach has paid off, and over the last year, The Hancock Group has listed and sold properties all over Christchurch.

“We don’t need another real estate agent in Christchurch” - Let us prove you wrong,” they confidently declare on their billboards.

These are not empty words; they encapsulate the heart of The Hancock Group’s value proposition. They aren’t just another real estate firm. They strive to redefine the customer experience, bringing a personal touch to every client.

The Hancock Group’s focus is on offering the best value in marketing properties, not themselves, effectively turning the spotlight to where it truly belongs - your property.

This customercentric focus does not come at the expense of expertise.

The Hancock Group is not just another real estate agency. They are providing the transformation that the Christchurch real estate scene needed, challenging stereotypes and offering a more personal, value-driven experience. Partner with The Hancock Group and discover the difference for yourself.

Leeann Watson Chief executive of the CECC www.cecc.org.nz

How are Canterbury businesses faring right now?

Every three months we run the Quarterly Canterbury Business Survey, which gathers insights from the wider business community about their confidence in the economy, their own performance, and what their expectations are looking forward for things like investment in plant and equipment, and bringing on more staff. We also ask businesses what barriers they face which are getting in the way of doing those things.

At The Chamber we believe that without strong businesses, we don’t have strong communities. It is important that businesses are confident to grow, leading to improved community outcomes with more employment, and better opportunities and prospects for our region’s people.

Over the last year that we have been doing the survey – results have broadly told the same story. Businesses in Canterbury are optimistic about their own earnings, but remain concerned about the direction of the economy in general.

This concern about the economy is generally born from barriers to growth and productivity facing businesses like labour market constraints and immigration settings, inflationary pressure and rising interest rates, and falling consumer demand.

What has changed recently though, is the growing concern about rising costs. Where labour market constraints had previously been the biggest concern for businesses – as they struggled to find the staff to meet demand post-COVID – they are now increasingly concerned about the growing increase in costs, which seem to be piling on from all directions.

The concern about inflation and rising interest rates may seem obvious as they are the same costs you are facing at home – but when we combine those costs with what businesses tell us is a barrage of additional costs including compliance burden – the result is businesses are less confident.

An example of how business confidence plays out in our local economy is the significant gap forming between SMEs expectations of investment in their businesses and growing staff numbers compared to larger businesses.

There are more than 40,000 SMEs in Canterbury, who are often more exposed to these cost pressures – and we can see this coming through in the data from our survey.

We estimate that SMEs are dealing with $1500 per month in extra overheads like rent and insurance, but what is even more concerning is that about $240 of that is from increases in compliance costs. For many small businesses they are simply not able to absorb these costs so they either pass these onto their consumers and customers or they must make some really tough decisions on operating expenses and in some cases their ability to trade.

So, what is the solution? Just like in households, for businesses to be confident and invest they need to operate in an environment where costs can be managed and predicted, and where there aren’t additional or counterproductive costs being added to the mix.

In our “Business Expectations of Government” election year report which has been put together with feedback and insights from our members across the Canterbury business community, we outline the settings we would expect to see from Government around compliance to reduce this burden and better enable our businesses to thrive. CT

Martz Witty WitzEndz Limited martz@witzendz.com

The keys to staff retentions

Back when I still owned accounting firms, we were religious about ensuring the team did their CPD (Continuing Professional Development).

Yes, our governing Institute required it, but I was completely in support of it. Almost every year we would exceed the required hours by a solid 10-20 percent per employee (and we had 22 of them.)

A work colleague used to argue with me about how investing all that time and money in the team was a waste because we trained them, made them excel in their field and then they might move on to a new firm. My reply to that was that it was my job to make the people the very best and if suddenly they were overqualified then my job was more than satisfactorily performed. I went further and explained that there are worse things that can happen than invest in training and have them leave. Worse would be, not training them at all and have them stay!

As I work with clients these days in business development and strategy this same argument comes up, time and time again. Finding great teams can be challenging in today’s environment. Retaining them is even more difficult with plenty of poaching happening.

Even just recently we have seen a client lose 11 of their staff through direct and targeted poaching. That can shatter your confidence. Offering a structured training and professional development timetable can go a long way towards making you a preferred employer.

This aids in retention and so long as you can delegate you will likely find yourself with an ability to take an extended holiday or even start to extract yourself from the day to day running of the business; that’s gold. Whether you train internally or outsource, the results will be similar for you. Happier,

healthier and more efficient team players. Get the more qualified and experienced to share their learnings with more junior members – just make sure that bad habits aren’t being fed. As for the owners and upper hierarchy. Well sadly we see too often that they don’t perceive a need to continue professional development. No wonder staff look up and think that they need to move on. Like any well-oiled businesses motivation and example needs to percolate from the top of the organisation. Now I agree ‘what’ you might need to learn and train in will be different to other members on the team, nonetheless, to be seen to improving oneself is a fantastic motivator. Lead by example.

If you find yourself absolutely stuck on any topics you might be able to further train in, then please, give us a call. We have lists that our clients regularly refer to and then find courses that fill their need. CT

Offering a structured training and professional development timetable can go a long way towards making you a preferred employer.

Where to From Here?

As the weather cooled heading into winter so did the property market but it isn’t all doom and gloom, Nathan Miglani, Managing Director and Head of Lending at NZ Mortgages explains.

As the cost of living continues to increase over winter, and financial pressures build on businesses, property is beginning to see the stirrings of spring, notably at the lower end of the market. While stock levels at the upper are limited, it is a buyers’ market for those looking to enter the property ladder, or seeking an investment property. With houses under $650,000 (the average house price in Christchurch at present) seeing growing enquiry levels.

This has been driven by two factors, the announcement on 1 June to regarding LVR restrictions easing, and an increase to the price cap for Kāinga Ora first home grants to $775,000 for new builds and $575,000 for existing properties.

Prior to this it was incredibly difficult to get pre-approval to purchase if you had less than 20% deposit. The new LVR restrictions combined with bank lending down 30–40% (the biggest drop in decades) has meant we are now seeing more dynamic offers from banks as they try to capture business from those who are borrowing.

With property enquiries up and interest rates levelling out, I believe we are at the bottom of the market and there is only one way for interest rates to go from here, down. Talking to independent, and bank economists, it is likely we will see interest rates starting to drop before the end of the year.

With all of this in mind, our general advice is to fix your mortgage for no more than one year to avoid large break fees in the future. Of course, every borrower’s situation is different, so if your mortgage is up for renewal, or you need to refinance or restructure, please do get in touch. We are here to ensure you are getting the best lending deal for your unique position.

Making home loans simple.

Events diary

Matariki Night Market

Friday, July 21, 4:30pm

231 Stafford Street, Timaru

As part of 2023’s Matariki events, the Matariki Night Market in Timaru is a fantastic annual event. Stafford Street will come alive with multicultural food vendors and craft stalls. Join the Matariki festivities and get involved in song, dance, feasting, storytelling and much, much more. www.christchurchnz.com/see-do/events/ matariki-night-market?

Go Live Festival

Saturday, July 29, 7pm

Christchurch Town Hall

Christchurch’s winter music festival is returning, bringing 14 live and local artists to the town hall with headliner music icon Tiki Tanne. Go Live Festival is featuring four stages and an awesome mix of music performed by some of the best emerging indie, hip-hop, rock and pop bands. Tickets start at $20.

www.allevents.in/christchurch/go-livefestival/200023834337711

The Gala 2023

– Higher Love

Saturday, August 5, 7:30pm

Christchurch Art Gallery

For a classy, seated dinner and black tie event, grab tickets to the Higher Love mental health fundraiser. With mindblowing theatrical performances, live charity auctions and live music, this gala will be a night to remember. The theme of higher love is to be a night of ethereal decadence where love is celebrated and the people around are cherished. Tickets are from $250 and the event supports I Am Hope and Gumboot Friday.

www.events.humanitix.com/the-gala2023-higher-love

Why Matariki matters

Go

Green Expo Christchurch

Sunday, August 6, 5pm

Christchurch Arena

New Zealand’s largest green living and sustainable lifestyle show is back and is, once again, the one stop shop for everything you need to live a sustainable life. From eco home and building to food and beverages, this event has it all. Organic products, health and wellness, beauty and personal care, living and much more, this event is not to be missed.

www.vegansociety.org.nz/event/ go-green-expo-2

Canterbury Tech

Summit 2023

Tuesday, September 5, 8am

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

A full day conference that is set to be thought provoking and inspirational, the tech summit gives people ample time to network. With live speakers and collective knowledge, those interested in the technology industry or those within the sector will have a great day. It’s a time for the Canterbury tech community to get together, collaborate, share knowledge and discuss how to accelerate the growth of the tech sector in New Zealand.

www.christchurchnz.com/see-do/events/ canterbury-tech-summit-2023?

The Arts Centre Market

Sunday, September 10, 10am

The Arts Centre

For a proper Christchurch experience, visit the arts centre market where you will find local, artisan made goods and treasures. Meet the makers and explore what Christchurch craftspeople have to offer. Expect a range of delicious foods, treats and drinks alongside vintage clothes, handmade products and so much more. Held in the stunning art centre, be wowed at every turn.

www.christchurchnz.com/see-do/events/ the-arts-centre-market?session=127473

Mānawatia a Matariki — Happy Māori New Year!

Matariki is a special occasion, a holiday distinct to Aotearoa New Zealand, a time to reflect, celebrate, and prepare for the year ahead. 2023 marks the second year Matariki is a public holiday, falling on Fridays from late May to mid-July.

Here’s everything you need to know about July 14th, Matariki 2023.

Matariki is a star cluster that appears in early morning skies during New Zealand’s midwinter months. Well-known globally by many names, Matariki is one of the brightest clusters in the sky. Historically, the Matariki stars were closely tied to planting, harvesting, and hunting. If the stars were clear and bright, it signalled a season of abundance.

This year’s Matariki awareness campaign theme is ‘Matariki Kāinga Hokia – Matariki calls you home’. This is about allowing Matariki to inspire you to reconnect with friends and whanau, and return to the places you call home.

Mātauranga Māori – ancestral knowledge – tells us that Matariki is a time to honour those we have lost, gather together to give thanks, and look forward to the promise of the new year. As such, be aware of your unique timeline every Māori new year; your past, present and future.

Matariki is one of the closest star clusters to Earth. It contains hundreds of stars, but only nine are visible to the naked eye. To find Matariki, look to the northeast horizon before sunrise. Search for Tautoru or Orion’s Belt; a

distinct line of stars. North of these stars sits Matariki, about as wide as Tautoru is long. Matariki festivities traditionally involved lighting ritual fires, honouring ancestors, and celebrating life. Today people gather, share kai, and mindfully relax. There are many ways to celebrate Matariki in 2023, with countless events and activations set for Māori New Year.

Tārama Mai is a free Matariki light festival experience in Ōtautahi Christchurch, with a range of lighting installations, projections, and illuminated artworks to experience the joy and wonder of Tārama Mai.

Te Matatiki Toi Ora - The Arts Centre – is hosting a series of Matariki celebrations from July 3 to July 20. This features winter markets, maker workshops, stargazing, and cultural showcases. Visit www.artscentre.org. nz for more information.

Matariki in the Zone will mark the Māori new year with food, music, activities, and a week-long trail lighting display. Kids big and small can enjoy wood-carving, flax-weaving, marshmallow-roasting and more. The hāngi will be raised at 4:30pm, but head down to the Richmond community garden at 2:30pm onwards from July 15. CT

By Ben O’Connell

By Jamie Quinn

Lifestyles

KOO Maddie Velvet Cushion Cover

Need to add a splash of colour to your couch? The plush Maddie velvet cushion cover in wine red is sure to please! Featuring a soft, short pile texture with a subtle sheen, this simple yet elegant design is complete with piped edges for a timeless finish. This cover fits 45cm x 45cm inserts which is the perfect addition to any couch.

RRP: $23

www.spotlightstores.com/nz

River Live Edge Timber Coffee Table

The River live edge timber coffee table is a sleek and stylish piece featuring an incredible live edge which showcases the natural growth of the acacia tree from which it was crafted. Set on powder coated, jet black legs, the clean lines of this natural timber table effortlessly bring both a sophistication and playfulness to your living space.

RRP: $799

www.earlysettler.co.nz

Madison Velvet 3-seater Sofa

If you’re looking to bring a touch of luxury into your home, look no further than the Madison velvet sofa. A lush deep green with a fluted textural seat back, this sofa will raise your living space to the next level. Easy to dress up as formal seating, or dress down for a casual relaxation spot, you can’t go wrong with this stunning sofa. Available in three unique colours, there’s an option for most living areas.

RRP: $1859

www.targetfurniture.co.nz

Pinot Noir Mohair Throw

Snuggle up in front of the fire with a glass of red and the sublime softness of this stunning Mohair throw in Pinot Noir. Instantly add warmth to your living space with this timeless piece that will last generations. Made from the finest, softest Mohair and Merino wool, this stylish throw is guaranteed to keep you warm and cosy.

RRP: $287

www.glamorousgoat.co.nz

Townshend 3L Pendant

The Townshend series by Eglo, blends together the warmth of oak look wood and black finishings to create visually captivating lighting with a modern twist. This light fixture features adjustable black cord to allow you the freedom to set your lighting at the length that best works for the room. This lighting piece is sure to wow in any space!

RRP: $299

www.lightingdirect.co.nz

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Energy efficient offices Getting your foot in the sustainable office door

By Ben O’Connell

“If every New Zealand household installed LED lighting, we’d avoid 82,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions every year – the emissions of almost 34,000 petrol cars.”

Businesses should optimise their lighting use where possible. Segment large workspaces with zone lighting to create spatial separation and cut costs.

Monitoring

It is incredibly hard to change something that you don’t measure. A business can control its energy consumption through regular monitoring and benchmarking.

For one, businesses can minimise their environmental footprints by grading the energy efficiency of their offices. Regardless of whether a business is looking to cut energy in an existing space or planning a new build, there are many ways to save both money and the planet.

Here is a basic guide to getting your foot in the energy efficient office door.

Lighting

Considering its entire lifespan, the most energy efficient lighting is often the least expensive. Using LED or CFL lightbulbs instead of traditional incandescent bulbs is a great start. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority is the government agency behind Gen Less – dedicated to turning Kiwis into leaders in clean and clever energy use [genless.govt.nz].

Gen Less says, “LED light bulbs use up to 85 percent less electricity than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and can last 15 times longer. They cost more upfront – but the long-term savings are worth it.

Maximise natural light and install light shelves, skylights, or light tubes. Measure light levels and install daylight sensors to manage brightness levels. Use occupancy sensors and automated controls to ensure lights are only used when and where needed.

Airflow

Improving airflow starts with controlling it. Fix and upgrade insulation in walls, roofs, and windows to reduce heat gain or loss in those spaces. Seal gaps, cracks, and air leaks to prevent drafts and maintain temperature control.

Make the most of energy-efficient windows with low-emission coatings and proper shading devices to minimise the transfer of heat.

No energy efficient office ignores its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Utilise programmable thermostats to regulate room temperature based on working hours and use.

Keep your HVAC systems clean and maintained to ensure they are running at peak performance.

Businesses could also consider using energy efficient HVAC technologies like energy recovery ventilation and smart controls to truly get the most from their HVAC systems.

Tracking progress, identifying problem areas that need improving, and setting energy saving targets are all great ways to do this. Installing energy management systems into your workplace will help to monitor and control consumption further.

These systems provide real-time data on energy usage and waste, and are an excellent way to finetune energy efficiency. Investing in energy audits is another option for businesses, although it is an investment. Make sure any reporting is accurate, clear, in context, and finalised by a professional.

Equipment

There is a wide range of energy efficient office equipment out there. Look for Energy Star certified products such as computers, printers, copiers, and other appliances.

These items meet strict energy efficient standards, with the number of stars showing you at a glance the emissions and costs each produces.

Sites such as eepl.co.nz, environment.govt. nz, consumer.org.nz, and the previously mentioned Gen Less have great resources to help you compare appliances and find energy efficient products for your workplace and beyond.

Culture

Staff are your superpower. Encourage employees to get involved in energy saving

initiatives through education, workshops, and awareness campaigns.

Promote energy conscious behaviour like turning off lights when leaving a room and reporting energy waste. Inspiring employees to use power saving functions on computers is a simple sustainable daily measure.

The collective actions of your workforce add up quickly, so the more people you have working to reduce your business’ environmental footprint the better. Everything boils down to people.

Making your business and its offices more energy efficient starts with finding your unique purpose – your why.

Getting behind sustainable work practices can lead to a positive business reputation, new market opportunities, an engaged talent network, upped brand value, and a head start on future environmental regulations and compliances.

Prove to the world that your business cares about the planet and embrace the climate challenge in your office today! CT

Historically, helping the environment generally meant hurting your business, and vice versa. Today, in our changing world, this is no longer the reality – both business and the environment can win.

LED light bulbs use up to 85 percent less electricity than traditional incandescent or halogen bulbs and can last 15 times longer. They cost more upfront – but the long-term savings are worth it.

One quick Google search will reveal countless tips and tricks for saving your hard-earned cash, but how helpful are they really?

Let’s explore and debunk some of these pointers that may or may not help you achieve your financial goals.

Budget setting

How realistic is your latest budget challenge?

Managing your money does begin with understanding where it’s going, but many budgeting tips can leave you feeling stuck.

Budgeting starts with a simple list of all your income and expenses. From there, identify areas where you can cut back, like takeaways and unnecessary subscriptions (but don’t give up on small luxuries just because you’re saving).

Control your spending habits by turning them into written facts to face. Consider making savings a regular expense by setting up automatic transfers to a dedicated savings account. Whatever you do, keep it simple and do what’s best for you.

The 50-30-20 rule

Budgeting rules and challenges should make saving less stressful, not more so. Take the 5030-20 rule for example.

Smart money

Debunking common saving tips

By Ben O’Connell

This rule says to put 50 percent of your money toward needs, 30 percent toward wants, and 20 percent toward savings.

The savings category also includes money you will need to achieve any future goals. Such a rigid savings scheme might work for some, but in time you might find yourself needing to save a greater piece of the pie. Those with a tight budget are also more likely to face financial setbacks unexpectedly.

The 50-30-20 rule works on paper and does remind us to divide our income before our spending portions it for us. Our lives are always changing though, so your budgeting should too.

Another problem with some budgeting advice is that it stigmatises those who are struggling. Especially online, most tips aren’t intended as actual advice.

Instead, their goal is reinforcing the idea that poor people are poor because of something they have wrong or aren’t doing.

Really, wealth is unpredictable. Being right once can lead to a life of riches. Most billionaires had wealthy relatives and zero fear of failure.

So, ignore the noise of budgeting tips that prefer to chip away at your positive mindset rather than offer meaningful advice. Every little bit counts. Keep it up!

The 30-day rule

The 30-Day Rule is the Internet’s favourite money tip. The rule says that instead of allowing yourself to make that impulse buy to sit on it for thirty days. By postponing every non-essential purchase, you make for a month you have ample time to consider whether you actually need the thing.

The reality is that not everyone can put off a big buy for that long. An item could creep out of the non-essential category and become a high priority purchase.

So, take the time to research, compare prices, and read reviews before making any big buy. You’ll make more informed decisions and avoid regrettable purchases by doing so. Don’t feel like you have to wait thirty days though.

Bulk buying

Eat smarter. The other side to the saved coin is spending, so do it right. Bulk buying is often touted as a money saving strategy, but for those who live alone it can lead to wastage. It’s also unfeasible for someone without the funds to buy all at once. Don’t get me started on cutting back on coffee, an all-too-common money tip.

Keep treating yourself, just make more coffees at home, as an example. Eating out often can also drain your wallet, but is sometimes the only option.

Saving is good, but having money to spend daily on nice things is also crucial. If you saved nearly every dollar, you’d still be poor in spirit.

DIY

Beyond diet, there are many ways to shop smarter. The do-it-yourself approach can be cost effective, but comes with an expensive list of possible risks. DIY mistakes can be costly to rectify, so think before you embark on that major project.

While it can be tempting to always buy the cheapest option, it’s important to think long term. Cheaper products may cost you in the long run, lacking quality and durability.

Strive for a balance between price and condition. In the same vein, skipping on insurance might help you save now, but could cost you in the long run.

In conclusion

When it comes to money saving tips, get critical. It all comes down to your unique situation, so don’t be afraid to change up your strategies.

Even if you start slow and small it’ll make you feel more financially responsible and secure. You work hard to earn your money, so work hard to get the most out of it too. CT

Since we find ourselves in a capitalist, consumerist world, saving money is a crucial modern skill for those seeking financial stability and freedom (and yes, I mean everyone).

The 50-30-20 rule works on paper and does remind us to divide our income before our spending portions it for us. Our lives are always changing though, so your budgeting should too.

Helping kids smile

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett Images by Krystle Photography

For many children, having to go to hospital can be terrifying. It’s often an overwhelming, confusing and anxiety filled experience that’s exhausting for both the child and their loved ones. I met with volunteer organisation, Radio Lollipop, who are working hard to make that time a bit easier.

Radio Lollipop is an international group of people passionate about bringing smiles to children’s faces in hospital. You may have heard of them – if you’ve ever visited the children’s wards in Waipapa Christchurch Hospital, I’m sure you’ve come across them.

It’s hard to miss the sheer joy and excitement that pours out of the Matatiki Hub when Radio Lollipop is there.

Through glass doors, you can find children playing, volunteers laughing and a radio station in full swing. There’s painting, bubbles, music, giggles, games, even a fish tank, and – best of all – a sense that everyone’s forgotten where they are.

I spoke with the Christchurch Radio Lollipop Chairperson, Caitlin Martin, who’s been with the organisation almost since it began in the city, 10 years ago.

Caitlin was part of the second intake of volunteers only a few months after Radio Lollipop arrived in Christchurch. She explains how Radio Lollipop was born.

Radio Lollipop started as a project aimed at connecting the patients and staff at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children in Carshalton, Surrey. The idea was to establish an internal radio service within the hospital, fostering a sense of community in Europe’s largest children’s hospital – which was initially constructed as an isolation facility.

Launched on-air on the 5th of May, 1979, the project aimed to create a community atmosphere and provide a sense of belonging, connection and engagement for the hundreds of patients at Queen Mary’s Hospital for Children.

Radio Lollipop founder, Hedley Finn, says Radio Lollipop’s mission is to give young patients a voice and a choice during their stay, allowing them to request their favourite songs, win prizes and even present a show and hear their own voices on the radio.

Volunteers play a crucial role in Radio Lollipop, visiting the children at their bedside and delivering arts, crafts, games and prizes all linked to the radio shows, creating a unique sense of child-led fun to support an environment conducive to healing and recovery.

“Radio Lollipop broadcasts live between 6pm and 8pm here in Christchurch from Monday to Thursday. It’s a great way to have children interact,” says Caitlin.

“Basically, it means that if children can’t get up out of their beds and come to the Matatiki Hub, they can still interact with us and be a part of Radio Lollipop through the radio.”

Christchurch’s Radio Lollipop hasn’t always been based in the wonderful Matatiki Hub. In fact, it had very humble beginnings. Caitlin explains how much Radio Lollipop Christchurch has grown and changed.

“It’s come a long way in 10 years from out of a car boot. It was a basket with a few games and some paper. Then we graduated to a campervan that had our own radio studio inside of it.

“We were in there for quite a number of years while we were waiting on a permanent space in the hospital. Now, in the Waipapa Christchurch Hospital, we’re in our own purpose-built studio and there for everyone to see.”

We are all volunteers. Every part of Radio Lollipop is a volunteer part. We do have leaders, nightly leaders who organise each night as well as the management team who do things like organising and creating the crafts and the radio as well as fundraising.

- Christchurch Radio Lollipop Chairperson, Caitlin Martin

While the radio element of Radio Lollipop is, of course, a huge part of the organisation, what cannot be overlooked is the play element.

Volunteers go into children’s wards and provide fun and entertainment in the form of games, crafts and much more. It doesn’t matter if the child can’t get out of bed or if they don’t want to get too energetic, there’s something for everyone and the team of volunteers are able to adapt anything to be fun.

For example, some children aren’t able to have any foreign items in their rooms so volunteers get crafty. Rubber gloves become balloons and masks can become miniature hammocks.

“That’s the great thing about Radio Lollipop – it doesn’t matter the age, the ability – the children aren’t limited in what they can do. I think it’s that stepping back and realising that play isn’t limited.

“You can get creative and switch things up so that everyone can take part. Which is the most amazing thing because sometimes you think, ‘oh no, they’re only two, what can we do with them?’ But throw on a song and get some bubbles, you’ve made that child’s night.”

Caitlin speaks with such fondness in her tone that you can tell each of these interactions are beautiful for the volunteers. Sometimes, she says, it’s the simplest things that can cheer someone up.

From the moment a volunteer steps into the room with a big red trolley of toys, crafts and fun, the children are able to shed the worry and fear of the day and simply do what every kid wants to do – be a kid.

The children aren’t the only ones who benefit from the tireless work of the Radio Lollipop volunteers. Caitlin says that parents, caregivers, friends and family often find a moment of solace during these visits.

“Obviously, we’re focused on the children but actually, what we do find, is it gives those parents and those family members a chance to take a moment for themselves,” Caitlin explains.

“Often what we find is that we walk in, ask if the children want a visit and they say yes, and we get into a game and then the parents says they’re just going to have a coffee or take a phone call or have a shower, and it just gives them that moment to step away without feeling like they’re leaving their child because we’re with them.”

A Radio Lollipop night begins at 5:30pm when the volunteers gather in the Matatiki Hub to prepare the radio show, gather names of children who’d like a visit and figure out what crafts and toys to take to the wards.

A theme is always part of a night – everything from animals to Disney, the crafts, music and radio show content are based around the theme. At 6pm, the night really kicks off with the radio station going live.

The nursing directors, nurses and hospital staff have been instrumental in our setup and involvement in the hospital. We couldn’t do what we do without their support and we are so thankful for that.

- Christchurch Radio Lollipop Chairperson, Caitlin Martin

From there, there’s music, jokes, fun facts, games and laughter. In the studio, children can watch the volunteers on the radio, choose music and even go on air. In the rooms, the show comes through the televisions and children can call in to request a song, tell a joke or do a shoutout for someone they know. At 8pm, after two hours of fun, the volunteers return to the hub, the children disperse and the evening is discussed. It’s an incredibly family-like atmosphere and everyone is happy to be there.

“We are all volunteers. Every part of Radio Lollipop is a volunteer part. We do have leaders, nightly leaders who organise each night as well as the management team who do things like organising and creating the crafts and the radio as well as fundraising,” Caitlin says.

“That’s it, we rely on 100 percent fundraising. Everything comes from fundraising and donations. There’s no government funding or anything like that.”

Radio Lollipop is actively looking for new volunteers too. “We have a wide range of volunteers.

“You do have to be 18 and over but we have a huge range of people. We’ve got university students, teachers, nurses, medical students, mums and dads and so much more.

“You can do anything for your day job – and if you want to come along and have some fun with us at Radio Lollipop, it doesn’t matter what you do.”

It’s been 10 years since Radio Lollipop Christchurch began their work of bringing smiles to children’s faces and Caitlin says she wants to acknowledge, not only how far they’ve come in the last 10 years, but everybody that’s been a part of that 10 years – right back to the first chairperson, to the past and present volunteers, hospital staff and all those who have donated to the organisation. Caitlin says the hospital staff helped Radio Lollipop get their spot in Waipapa Christchurch Hospital.

“The nursing directors, nurses and hospital staff have been instrumental in our setup and involvement in the hospital. We couldn’t do what we do without their support and we are so thankful for that.” CT

You can do anything for your day job – and if you want to come along and have some fun with us at Radio Lollipop, it doesn’t matter what you do.

Back to basics Winding down without screen time

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

On the surface, this isn’t overly problematic. However, when you consider sleep science such as circadian rhythm and eye problems, using screens and devices to relax isn’t such a great idea after all.

Of course, this isn’t to say screens and devices are inherently bad - they’re not - it’s mostly to say we need to ensure mindfulness when using them and potentially decrease the amount we’re using them in the evenings.

What is Blue Light and Circadian Rhythm?

We hear a lot of talk about blue light and circadian rhythm but, actually, what are they and what does it all mean? Well, your circadian rhythm is the 24-hour cycle of hormones and chemicals in your body that help dictate when you sleep and when you’re awake.

This cycle of hormones works with the natural daylight - when the sun rises, your body produces something called cortisol to make you feel alert. When the sun goes down, the body produces melatonin to make you feel sleepy.

Interrupting this cycle with something like blue light can quickly throw your sleep schedule off kilter. But what is blue light?

Healthline says that most blue light actually comes from the sun. Things like fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs also produce blue light. Most of this is fairly harmless.

Devices such as phones, computers and flat screen TV’s (and more), also emit blue light. However, because we spend so much time each day looking at a variety of screens, some scientists believe we are doing damage to our eyes, not to mention interrupting the everimportant circadian rhythm.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, light exposure within two hours of bedtime can disrupt your sleep cycle.

“That’s because exposure to blue light at night stimulates your brain into thinking it’s earlier in the day. Your brain slows and stops its release of melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep,” says the National Sleep Foundation.

So, with all of that knowledge, it might be time to consider doing something else to relax in the evening after work instead of turning on the TV or scrolling mindlessly through your phone.

What can I do instead?

There are a wealth of things to do instead of resorting to screens.

Sure, screens and devices are a quick and easy, low effort method of relaxation, but not only do they interrupt your sleep, they encourage sedentary behaviors. So, what else can you do?

A book is always a good start. Although it can be hard to pick up a novel after some time without diving into one, the benefits of reading cannot be overstated.

Reading makes us better thinkers by improving our critical thinking and problem-solving skills, boosting our general and specific knowledge and developing our social and communication skills.

- According to the Centre for Adult Education (CAE).

Not only does it eliminate blue light, reading also positively impacts your brain.

According to the Centre for Adult Education (CAE), reading is a workout for the brain and can thereby help combat neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. “Reading makes us better thinkers by improving our critical thinking and problemsolving skills, boosting our general and specific knowledge and developing our social and communication skills,” CAE says.

If picking up a good book isn’t quite your style, consider something a little more hands-on. A craft such as knitting or crochet is a great way to keep your hands busy, your mind occupied and your eyes away from the screens. Not to mention, you get something cozy or cool afterwards. Remember, knitting and crochet isn’t just for grandmas - you can make anything once you pick up the basic skills. From blankets and hats to little creatures and interesting creations, the world is your oyster.

However, if, like many people, you find it difficult to pick up wool based skills, simply getting outside and breathing in the fresh air is excellent.

It may seem harder to get outside in the colder months but, because it gets darker faster, the stars and the amazing night sky are visible sooner.

You could consider getting into star gazing. Learning the constellations can be an interesting and valuable way to spend an hour or so.

If you’ve got a bit of spare money, you could invest in a little telescope and a warm jumper so you can head outside and turn your gaze to the stars.

There are a great deal more things to do other than staring at your screens. So, put down that phone, turn off the telly and find something more engaging, more beneficial and, honestly, more relaxing! CT

Screens and devices have become an integral part of our lives - to the point where they have embedded themselves in our relaxing routines.

Lightening the load Managing workplace stress

Overly stressing can cause insomnia, feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, hopeless, anxious, depressed, irritated, and short-tempered, which can lead to unhealthy habits like drinking, substance abuse, or emotional eating. Everyone can react to similar situations differently based on their past experiences, responses to stress, and state of mind, Adrienna says.

“It is important to do a reality check when facing potentially stressful situations and ask ourselves: what is at stake?”

problems, various forms of mindfulness and relaxation, move around and step out of the building between meetings, watch that you drink enough, prioritising tasks, leaving work at workplace and using your home to truly “recreate” yourself, be it gardening, reading a book, taking a bath, having a nice meal, watching funny movies, engaging in hobbies, and laughing a lot.”

Stress at work can happen often, but when we feel stressed in our personal lives, this can impact our work lives too.

Doctor Adrienna Ember - who has a double doctorate - is a clinical psychologist specializing in therapy, personal development, and supervision and is a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society. She covers many areas such as work stress.

Stress is generally accepted as an evolutionary response from the body and the nervous system, which can potentially cause dangerous triggers, as it’s seen as a survival instinct, she says.

“The physiological and nervous system changes in the body during a stress response, such as increased blood flow, the ability to mobilise energies we at times are not aware of and sustain goal/task-orientated focus help us to overcome challenging situations or achieve to the best of our abilities (e.g. at a competition).”

However, stress was caused by nature as a quick response to difficult situations due to stress affecting people’s physical and mental selves. According to research and personal experiences, stressing frequently as a quick response can cause long-term effects like a weaker immune system, high blood pressure, and cancer.

Some red flags when it comes to work stress becoming a reoccurring problem occur when people see changes in their behaviour, daily routines, and emotions, which can last for two or so days.

For instance, insomnia or oversleeping, skipping meals or binging, headaches, foggy brain, continuously making mistakes at work, disorientation, forgetting things, muscle pain, irregular bowel motions, fatigue, getting angry/ overreacting, negative thoughts, and not feeling like your usual self, she says.

Other effects of work stress include losing self-confidence and self-esteem - thinking we’re not good enough in our role - feeling isolated, scared of making mistakes, and being ashamed about messing up.

It also does not feel good to pretend you’re feeling fine. This kind of reaction appears before we know it and often leads to unhealthy ways of dealing with stress.

This reaction can “undermine our relationships with our loved ones, and their physical and mental health,” Adrienna says.

She also provides tips on how employees working in stressful environments can relieve their stress via the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand toolkit.

“You will find information beyond basics such as healthy eating, regular exercise and time spent outdoors, socialising and talking about

Also, don’t hesitate to ask for days off for stress release if you need to and make sure your work won’t pile up to cause you extra stress upon your return but will be allocated to stand-in or support staff, or re-prioritised.

Here’s a link to the toolkit: mentalhealth. org.nz/resources/resource/five-ways-towellbeing-at-work-toolkit.

Lastly, Adrienna advises employees to tell their managers/bosses they’re struggling to keep up with their workload if expectations are unrealistic.

People should not feel bad for making their bosses/managers aware of their stress, as it is their bosses’/managers’ role to make sure the workload is manageable for employees and must have a Plan B when Plan A does not work.

“Familiarise yourself with whom you can turn to for help in potential worst-case scenarios at your work.

“Also, don’t hesitate to ask for days off for stress release if you need to and make sure your work won’t pile up to cause you extra stress upon your return but will be allocated to stand-in or support staff, or re-prioritised,” Adrienna advises.

Next time you think you’re going to stress about something, take a breather, think about the positives in your life and think about how far you’ve come to get to where you are now. You’re not alone. Need to talk to someone? Get in touch with a psychologist or counsellor via these links:

www.psychology.org.nz

www.cab.org.nz

www.talkingworks.co.nz

www.therapycounselling.net

www.familyservices.govt.nz

www.familyservices.govt.nz CT

Stress is normal. We can feel stressed because we feel overwhelmed with work, feel under pressure, are experiencing new challenges, worried about something, and the list goes on.

Clinical psychologist. Doctor Adrienna Ember.

By Natasha Parrant

- Doctor Adrienna Ember.

Rob Clark CEO of Learning Architects

Fine tune regroup or restructure

Positioning your team for success

With some sense of normalcy having returned after the unpredictability of the last few years, now is a good time to take a breath, look at how things are currently going and where you want to head.

In business terms, this of course includes looking at the tasks at hand, whether you have the right person/people for the job or if you’re going to need to fine tune, regroup or restructure.

With change comes opportunity

Change, as it’s often said, is the one constant and there will always be changes affecting what happens in your organisation.

For example, one product line or service area has become quieter than others, supply chain glitches have put production on hold or rapid growth has staff shortages causing headaches. Sometimes creative thinking sees such changes easily dealt with, but at other times, a radical rethink might be required.

So what can be helpful to consider as you figure out the best way forward? Here are some starting points:

• How is progress tracking against your current goals?

• What are your gaps and opportunities?

• Do you have the right players with the skill sets/expertise in place?

• Could some people be better suited to a different role?

• What support do people need to help them succeed?

As you work through what you want to achieve, it’s important to consider whether any roles need to change, or perhaps be reshuffled. Central to this process is knowing what each person brings, remembering to look at how they contribute to your workplace in terms of attitude and motivation, as well as their technical skills and knowledge.

You might discover you have gaps in some skill sets which can be addressed through training and professional development, or you may find a need for a completely new position. This is about taking a big picture look at possibilities.

Clarity and understanding is key

The key to ensuring the team is set up for success is in knowing what you need, where each person is at their best, and how to equip them. This will strengthen your ability to deliver. Consider the following for each of your team members:

1. How long have they been in their current role?

2. Are they clear about the priorities of the role?

3. What are their development needs?

4. Do you know and understand what they need to be successful?

When it comes to identifying requirements, it can be helpful to use a profiling tool or framework to take a look at people’s strengths and weaknesses.

These tools can also help you drill down into what they are really about, how individuals see themselves and others, and importantly how to match different talents to your organisation’s needs and goals.

Choose the right tools for the job

With a number of different options to choose from such as CliftonStrengths, DISC or MyersBriggs choosing the right framework and approach for your situation can be daunting. Keep these questions in mind as you weigh up your options:

1. Does the framework have a good evidence base?

2. Does it label people or develop them?

3. Can it show how your people progress over time?

4. Will it work for your team based on what they need to achieve?

5. Is it helpful in enabling people to grow in their role so they are improving?

6. Finally, does it resonate with you as the leader and help you too?

Not only do different frameworks suit different situations but how they are used also determines their impact.

Bear in mind that the framework you choose, also has to resonate with you as the leader; you need to believe, buy into it and feel inspired by the possibilities it generates.

Because as an inspired leader you are more likely to engage, inspire and equip people to move your organisation forward. Whichever tool you use, its effectiveness will only be as good as your follow through.

Positive influence, plus action is game changing

As well as reflecting on the right people and right tools for the job, commit the time to mapping out your plans so you turn these great ideas into action.

Put the actions in the diary and if you need someone to help you with your follow through, by then you’ll hopefully have already found the right person for the job!

So if you know it’s time for change, start by taking a look at the people you have right in front of you to see if there is opportunity for them to adapt and grow, and making sure you equip and position them for success. This way, however small or radical the change, they are more likely to be engaged and perform at their best, supporting your changes so that you get the best results possible.

So go on, take a good look at where you’re at, who you’ve got on board and how they like to work - it can be your game changer! CT

The key to ensuring the team is set up for success is in knowing what you need, where each person is at their best, and how to equip them. This will strengthen your ability to deliver.

Cold Comfort

Battling the winter woes

By Ben O’Connell

If you do have co-workers off sick, be mindful to manage your workload. Avoid the vicious cycle of a bare bones team getting burnt out and sick themselves.

Embrace nature

Diet

Work starts with arriving ready and healthy. Eating a nutritious breakfast before work will fuel you through the groggy morning haze. Remember to consistently stay hydrated. If you can, bring lunch with you. It’s cheaper and healthier than buying it. Snack smarter too, with fruits and vegetables over processed sweets. Although it’s tough to admit, cutting down on coffee also has its benefits. Caffeine tends to make you feel warmer than you really are. Keep it clean

Staying vigilantly hygienic over winter is easier said than done. One easy way to start is cleaning those surfaces you most forget to clean, like desks, keyboards, monitors, and doorknobs. Carpets can get exceptionally dusty, harbouring winter nasties.

Winter is a tough time to grow a garden but that doesn’t mean avoiding it. Immersing yourself in nature has countless health benefits, some being better breathing, sleep, and immune function.

Light therapy is key over winter, so aim to get at least a couple hours of midday sun during winter weeks. Your mind will thank you for the break from our overstimulating world too. Simply existing in green spaces can boost your motivation to exercise. Any activity that gets your body moving is better than another lunch break spent in the office.

Another option to consider is bringing the outside in. Greenery will brighten up both you and your workplace.

Winterproof your space

Investing in winterproofing your workplace before the season hits protects both people and profit. Clear parking lots of ice and reduce slippery surfaces. Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential hazards.

Don’t let the winter cold in, but do keep your workplace well-ventilated. If you’re working outside, then consider how heavy rain, strong winds, and the effects of the bitter cold will impact the site.

Mental health

Workplaces can do many things to improve workers’ mental health. Increased worker autonomy. Well-understood work schedules. Keeping the fun alive to boost engagement and creativity.

Offering work from home days and alternative work methods. Fostering a work community where everyone feels safe to speak their mind. Applauding employees for taking mental health

days. Changing up the workplace environment. The list goes on.

Overall

New Zealanders are culturally inclined to grin and bear the winter woes so their co-workers aren’t forced to pick up the slack. The reality is that you are letting the team down more so by not caring for your health.

Don’t suck it up. Take the break and come back feeling better than ever. Maybe get the flu jab. You never want to become your workplace’s patient zero.

See winter as a reminder to take care of yourself, a chance to better your body, mind, and soul. You’ll be ready to tackle the warmer months headfirst! CT

It can be difficult to stay motivated and positive at work during winter. Avoiding the winter woes in your workplace might be easier than you think. Get ahead of the seasonal blues with these tips and tricks.

On the move Keeping fit in winter

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

dark mornings, early evenings and chilly weather. For many people, winter can be rather uninspiring when it comes to keeping fit.

The idea of getting out of your cosy, warm bed to head outdoors in the dark to exercise doesn’t sound particularly thrilling. However, spending loads of money to get a gym membership doesn’t sound ideal either. So, what can you do?

Delve into the world of home workouts. Just because you’re not doing hard cardio, doesn’t mean you’re not keeping fit.

During the Covid-19 lockdowns, the concept of home exercises became more prevalent. Thanks to this, there’s piles of content on YouTube and fitness apps that allow you to learn skills, complete guided workouts and stay fit - all in the comfort of your own home. Tailored to your space, time constraints and current fitness level, home workouts could be the answer to keeping fit during the winter months.

Most home workouts can simply be done on the floor. From yoga style poses to more

aerobic exercises, home workouts are a great option if you’re hesitant to get outdoors.

If you are wanting to invest in some unobtrusive but useful gear, consider getting a couple of 2-5 kilogram dumbbells and a resistance band. This can help take your home workout up a level. They’re also small and easy to store.

However, if you’re someone who really wants to get into the home workout trend, you can

set up a small corner of a room or the garage with some bigger equipment.

A treadmill is a great start and range from just over $100 for a small walk treadmill to nearly $4000 for a full, gym style treadmill. Treadmills are a great way to get in that cardio in the comfort of your own home. Plus, you can put on your favourite TV show and walk or run to your heart’s content while keeping your brain occupied.

Another piece of equipment you could consider investing in is a simple pull-up bar.

With the ability to fasten to a doorframe or the roof, it’s another unobtrusive but useful piece. You can use them in tandem with a resistance band or just by themselves.

It’s another easy way to keep fit during the winter months. Of course, you could also invest in a full home gym but that can be very costly and takes up a whole room (or the garage!).

If the great outdoors isn’t floating your boat this winter, stay at home instead! Jump on YouTube, find an app and a comfy spot on the floor and keep fit. CT

Christmas is a time to celebrate together with colleagues and family, to review the past year, and look forward to new beginnings. Christmas celebrations form a key part of this season, with delicious seasonal food, great atmosphere and a wee tipple.

Tom and the team at G&T Catering can support you in executing these celebrations with 20years of hospitality experience. G&T Catering make themselves available to assist their time poor customers in finding solutions to their event challenges. It’s not uncommon for Tom to receive a call with the hope to have catering ready in a week’s time.

There isn’t an event style the team are not capable of serving whether you require a tasty morning tea, casual BBQ lunch, 3-course meal or a grazing table to wow the team – the G&T Catering team can make the good times happen.

Christmas time is often a time when customers wish to do something either to thank their staff or clients, G&T team have great ideas to help you. With one call G&T Catering will listen to your request, understand your desired outcome, and get a solutions sorted for you. Catering can be fully serviced at your venue of choice or delivered ready for you to serve.

Winter is well and truly here - bringing

Delve into the world of home workouts. Just because you’re not doing hard cardio, doesn’t mean you’re not keeping fit.

Food for thought

Taking dietary requirements seriously

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Food allergies and dietary requirements are becoming more common and, with that, comes a certain level of misunderstanding by those who may not have the same requirements.

While many locations and caterers request a list of dietary requirements, some people may not truly understand the dangers of not adhering to said requirements.

For example, someone asking to have gluten free food provided for them may simply dislike gluten. Or, they may have coeliac disease which is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the body if gluten is consumed.

This means people with coeliac disease need to be very careful as they can’t even eat food if it’s been prepared on the same bench as something with gluten in it.

Another example could be someone asking for a vegetarian option. For many people, this request comes from a moral standpoint. However, for other people, meat can actually make them sick.

Alpha-gal is a type of food allergy where the person is literally allergic to red meat and other products from animals.

Someone wanting a dairy free option may be vegan for their morals again, or, they may be seriously lactose intolerant. Of course, requesting different foods based on personal morals is a perfectly acceptable reason to adhere to their dietary requirements.

Other people may not have an allergy or autoimmune disorder but their religion or personal practices may ban them from consuming certain foods.

Religions and faiths such as Buddhism often ban people from eating any form of meat while other faiths and practices, such as Islam, ban the consumption of some forms of meat such as pork.

It is absolutely vital that these dietary requirements be taken seriously.

In the modern day, some people find it difficult to understand why others have certain dietary requirements.

For people who don’t have to restrict their diet, the concept of having to accommodate specific needs can be difficult. However, if these dietary requirements are ignored, you could make someone seriously unwell, break their religious code of conduct or put their personal morals in question.

All this may seem somewhat insurmountable but is actually fairly simple to manage.

Firstly, when organising a work function involving food - whether it be in the office or outside the office - consider sending out an email requesting everyone to state their dietary requirements.

From here, you can get a comprehensive understanding of what each person will need.

The chances are that there will only be a few people with restrictive diets and some who

have extreme allergies may simply decline to attend these kinds of functions altogether. Once you’ve got everyone’s needs written down, it’s simply a job of finding a restaurant or location that can cater to those needs.

If you’re bringing food into the office, finding a caterer or location that can cater to different needs is fairly easy these days.

Not only that, but there are many pictorial symbols that show if foods are safe for certain dietary requirements.

Food that is coeliac safe and even endorsed by Coeliac New Zealand will bear a crossed grain logo.

Certified vegan friendly food can bear the Certified Vegan Logo which is a “V” within a heart.

Foods that are dairy free will often bear a symbol showing a milk bottle with a strike through it or something of that nature.

There are many symbols to show that foods or menus cater to dietary requirements - some of these symbols may simply be the item in question (like eggs or nuts), with a strike through it like the dairy free logo.

At the end of the day, work functions are all about bringing the team together and if food is involved, you ideally want everyone to be able to eat and feel safe in doing so.

For some people who have avoided work functions involving food, that simple email requesting a list of dietary requirements can mean the world.

Ensuring you’re taking everyone’s dietary requirements seriously is an excellent way of proving to your employees that you listen, care and are ready to bring everyone together fairly. CT

A good work function often involves food - a tray of nibbles, a full meal or heading out to a restaurant. However, for some employees, this can be fraught with dangers.

Winter wonders

What do in Christchurch this winter

By Ben O’Connell

minutes south of central Ōtautahi. Check out astro.nz for more.

Winter markets

Christchurch is home to a long list of artisan markets, offering ethical and sustainable fashion, homeware, gifts, and more. Born from Benny’s Barber Shop in 2017, the Nifty Markets are a crafty community of local small businesses. From artisan jugs to unique jewellery, Nifty is the place for you.

Central city nightlife

Whether you’re after live music and a groove or are keen to don an alcohol blanket, there’s a bevy of central Christchurch bars and restaurants to discover. Tower over central Ōtautahi with a drink or bite to match. Both the Mr Brightside and Pink Lady rooftop bars serve delicious beverages in the central city sky.

If heights aren’t your style, perhaps the underground Austin Club speakeasy is more your vibe. Make sure you know the password!

For live tunes, spots like OGB and Fat Eddies have you covered. To immerse yourself in the Terrace’s premium selection of restaurants, bars, and retail is to truly make the most of Christchurch.

If you’d rather sing yourself, pop into spots like Gogi and Midnight Shanghai for karaoke and good eats. Head to theterrace.co.nz or simply get yourself to Christchurch’s strip and let the moment whisk you away. You might even unearth a hidden gem of your own! CT

He Puna Taimoana

The weather might be cooling down, but things at He Puna Taimoana are only heating up. Only fifteen minutes from Christchurch city, enjoy striking ocean views while soaking in five luxurious hot pools along New Brighton Beach.

Relax and recover in the plunge pool and steam room, marvel in beachside views from the comfort of the sauna, and once you’re done, rehydrate at the café. These hot saltwater pools on the New Brighton foreshore have proved a cult attraction since their May 2020 opening.

Look to the skies

Early winter nights mean dark, clear skies waiting to be gazed upon. Unobstructed by light pollution, head to the Port Hills or Taylor’s Mistake for the best Ōtautahi views. Godley Head doubles as a vantage point for night views and a fantastic hiking spot, a trail enriched in World War II history.

For a curated look to the skies, explore the Observatory Tower at Te Matatiki Toi Ora – The Arts Centre. Behold the Southern Sky through the 1864 Victorian-era Townsend Teece Telescope, guided by Townsend astronomers from the University of Canterbury.

Heritage stargazing tours operate at Te Matatiki Toi Ora every winter Friday night. Spaces are limited so bookings are essential. Visit artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/heritage-stargazing for more.

Christchurch Astro Tours have expanded their range of tailored stargazing tours for winter 2023. Their local dark sky tour guides would love to fascinate you with expansive galaxies and mighty planets.

Christchurch Astro Tours runs from Greenpark Memorial Community Centre, Lincoln, 30

The suburb of Riccarton hosts a handful of markets, with about 10,000 people attending the Sunday market in Riccarton Park each week.

If you’re looking for something more boutique, the quaint Christchurch Farmers Market held at Riccarton House and Bush is for you. As the native wildlife enjoy the neighbouring Avon River, enjoy a fine selection of fresh produce and handcrafted gifts yourself. What’s not to love about a winter market?

Hot air ballooning

Escape with a magical hot air ballooning experience, offering panoramic views of the majestic Canterbury Plains. For an adventure as exciting as it is romantic, peacefully floating over an ever-changing Christchurch landscape is hard to beat. Capture some our nation’s most breath-taking views as the sun rises over the horizon.

Ballooning Canterbury operates all year round, with winter weather showcasing the snow-covered Southern Alps through typically cooler, clearer skies. Visit ballooningcanterbury.com to book your trip today.

New Brighton sunrise

Start your day off right and marvel in a picturesque sunrise at New Brighton Beach. Treat yourself to a view fit for a postcard, but be sure to bring a warm jacket. Just before the sun rises, low temperatures freeze the sand to create naturally striking patterns; an unmissable experience.

In fact, He Puna Taimoana offers a mesmerising sunrise soak. Take in the vibrant colours of daybreak while floating in luxurious hot saltwater pools. Booking is essential as numbers are strictly limited. Visit hepunataimoana.co.nz/sunrise-soak to secure your place.

Winter tourism isn’t just about hitting the slopes! Ōtautahi comes alive during winter. Make the most of the chilly season and brave the Christchurch cold with these winter friendly ways to spend time in Ōtautahi.

Home office ingredients How to make working from home a breeze

By Nicole D’Almeida

Times are changing, and so is the culture around the way we work. These days, more businesses and employees are opting for either a hybrid or fully remote workweek.

While this may sound hugely appealing at first, the truth is that if you don’t set your workspace up correctly the appeal is going to dissipate really quickly.

Living the dream vs. living the reality

Let’s picture what working from home or a remote location could be like for a moment, shall we?

You get the freedom to work from a funky café with a beach view, cuddle your dog or kids whenever you want to, or work in pyjamas from the comfy safe haven of your bed - I mean, what’s not to love, right?

In reality, the novelty quickly wears off when your back begins to hurt, you knock your laptop or coffee over, or you have to start sending messages to your colleagues via seagull post because your WIi-Fi or reception keeps cutting out.

Don’t get us wrong, we’re all about that WFH life. However, what we’re even more passionate about is setting up a workspace that has a positive impact on your productivity, energy, mood, and overall health.

Decide where to place your WFH Desk

Where you place your desk can have a huge influence on your workday and well-being. If you can, look for a spot that has plenty of light, is close to the Wi-Fi router, and is as free of distractions as possible.

Alternatively, you may want to be around your pets or loved ones, in which case you might want to create a space that you can all share.

Choose the right lighting and décor

If you work at night, or your space doesn’t get a lot of natural light, you might want to consider getting a desk lamp. In addition to increasing your workspace visibility, certain lighting can also improve your mood and sleep quality.

Two examples of mood lighting could be adding something like a salt lamp to your desk, or hanging LED fairy lights around your space.

These may not be the greatest light sources for increasing your visibility, but they may bring you joy when you look at them and motivate you to spend more time at your desk.

When you’re exposed to blue light during the day, it helps to regulate your sleep cycle.

This is achieved by suppressing your melatonin levels, a hormone responsible for helping you sleep at night, which makes you feel less drowsy and more alert.

Sunlight is the biggest source of blue light, however, when you can’t be exposed to it naturally, you can replace it with blue and orange LED lights designed to mimic the setting and rising of the sun.

Alternate between sitting and standing

At WFH Desks, we use our chairs as a 15-minute resting area between standing. This way, you get the benefits from standing, without the potential risks involved with sitting or standing all the time. Of course, this isn’t a hard rule, as we understand everyone’s situation is unique.

To incorporate this sitting and standing workflow with minimal effort, tall bar stools can be used and set aside easily, so that you don’t have to readjust your desk from sitting to standing each time you make the switch.

If you prefer to sit when you work, set yourself reminders to stand up and stretch regularly in order to promote a healthy body and mind.

Visit: www.workfromhomedesks.co.nz CT

Nicole D’Almeida is the PR co-ordinator and copywriter at Work From Home Desks.

Sunlight is the biggest source of blue light, however, when you can’t be exposed to it naturally, you can replace it with blue and orange LED lights designed to mimic the setting and rising of the sun.

Environmentally friendly air solutions with QBS

Quality Building Services Ltd make excellent heating, ventilation, and air conditioning solutions and services a breeze.

QBS Ltd is a New Zealand owned and operated company that provides commercial and industrial air conditioning, mechanical, and ventilation solutions. QBS specialise in designing and installing locally supported brands proven for New Zealand conditions, but can tackle any project you might have in mind.

Established in 2011, the Christchurch based company offer an extensive range of services, starting with the design and installation of ventilation systems. QBS Ltd take a preventative and proactive approach to maintenance and development, also delivering peer reviews, fault finding, and other repair and electrical services. QBS also provide IQP inspections, energy saving assessments and implementations, and project management services.

Committed to Safety and Sustainability

The team at Quality Building Services Ltd are committed to providing safe working conditions for staff, and a stress-free, dependable experience for customers. Regular audits and procedures are implemented to ensure the

utmost safety standards are upheld. QBS are a member of Site Safe, and all staff are Site Safe registered. QBS operate at only the highest of health and safety standards, never walking past an unsafe situation.

In line with our world’s changing climate, QBS Ltd work with sustainability in mind. QBS guarantee that every system they install is as environmentally friendly and cost effective as possible. QBS is a carbon zero certified company with Toitu Envirocare, and has been for 10 years – one of the very first HVAC companies to achieve this in New Zealand.

Delivering Outstanding Results

Quality Building Services Ltd partner with their clients for the best optimal outcome. Open book contracts are available if preferred. The team at QBS Ltd are dedicated to providing quality results that surpass their customers’ expectations.

The staff at QBS have extensive HVAC industry experience from throughout New Zealand, predominantly in the Canterbury region. They are fully qualified to deliver expert ventilation

services no matter the size of the project. Their experience covers everything from private and domestic installations to large manufacturing projects; hospitals, shopping areas, industrial businesses, and much more. If you wish, QBS can be there for you through the entire process with ground up design, building, and installation services. They also provide ongoing infrastructure maintenance refreshes, futureproofing their projects and reminding clients of their long-term dedication to their craft. QBS also run an

internal active training and development programme to maintain the level of expertise the company has made their standard. QBS Ltd have every base covered.

QBS Ltd have the experience and expertise to provide the right solution and service for you. Give the team a call at 03 365 8943.

Email Eddie at eddie@qbsl.co.nz

Drop in at 3/308 Wilsons Road, Opawa in Christchurch. Visit their website – www.qbsl.co.nz – for more information.

& free WILD

Akaroa Harbour...

...Home of the playful Hector’s dolphin. With dramatic cliffs and fertile slopes framing its calm waters and abundant wildlife, a harbour cruise here is an amazing encounter. And all this is only ninety minutes from Christchurch.

Our Hector’s Dolphin Guarantee applies when cruising or swimming with us in Akaroa (see our website for details.)

A portion of our ticket sales goes toward education and the research on New Zealand’s rare endemic Hector’s dolphin.

Inspiring travellers to visit southern

The initiative is the result of collaboration by eight southern regional tourism organisations (RTOs), to collectively celebrate and share more about the depth and breadth of visitor experiences in the lower south of New Zealand.

Designed to inform and inspire visitors to slow down, explore further, stay longer and ultimately return, the content features places of interest, suggested itineraries and a wideranging set of world class experiences.

Destination Queenstown marketing director, Sarah O’Donnell, says “Visitors don’t see local boundaries and encouraging people to move around between our regions, travel slowly, engage with our communities and explore further is another step towards our collective goal of welcoming a high-contributing and more sustainable visitor market”.

Communities in the partnering areas of Waitaki, Wanaka, Queenstown, Central Otago, Dunedin, Clutha, Southland, and Fiordland have each provided input into the creation

of destination management plans outlining priorities and wishes for the future of tourism in their place.

These plans now form the basis for how RTOs are working, with a transition from purely traditional destination marketing to also embracing the role of managing their destinations in line with community aspirations.

Great South tourism and events general manager, Mark Frood, says “Helping visitors to understand the value of taking time to

Tower Lodge Motel

explore this spectacular southern corner of New Zealand more deeply ensures that we are supporting a more sustainable future for tourism in the south”.

In 2018, the late Graham Budd (CEO of Great South and previously Destination Queenstown), initiated the proposal for the project having had a long-held wish for regions to work more closely together.

“It is a proud day for our combined regions to see Graham’s wishes come to life through this project,” Mark says.

Funding for the development of the Southern Way collaboration was supported by MBIE through Covid recovery funding with the project managed under the leadership of Great South, Southland Regional Development Agency.

“We were tasked with taking a new approach towards inspiring visitors’ travel patterns and it is exciting to see this project finally come to life. We are proud to bring our regions together to offer truly awe-inspiring experiences for our visitors,” Mark says. CT

The launch of the ‘Southern Way’ initiative showcases the exceptional touring network ready for visitors wanting to explore the scenic southern regions of New Zealand.

Island escapes

The Chatham Islands is home to New Zealand’s most remote communities as it’s known for its history, nature, and the county’s classic Kiwi culture.

Recently more mainlanders have been taking the opportunity to visit the Pacific archipelago.

During your stay, we will visit the four corners of the Island and the special places in between.

Located about 840 kilometres (520 mi) east of Christchurch, an ATR flight to the Chatham Islands takes less than two hours, but where are you going exactly?

This is a unique chance to be able to visit the Chatham Islands relatively easily with a flight time of under two and three-quarter hours.

The Chathams form an archipelago consisting of 10 islands - the largest of which are Chatham and Pitt.

While the islands have officially been part of New Zealand since 1842, research suggests Indigenous people of the islands; the Moriori migrated there from mainland New Zealand as early as 1500.

The tour operator of Chatham Island Tours is Merv Halliday.

Tours are scattered around the South and North Island, which lasts for seven nights and eight fully

guided days when exploring Chatham’s most eastern island before returning home direct.

Chatham Islands Tours has also been invited to Whanganui where there’s a 50 passenger ATR aircraft for another special direct flight from Wanganui Airport to the Chatham Islands.

Jump aboard to enjoy eight days of adventure, education, relaxation, and wonderment.

The tours are all-inclusive, so from the moment you board the flight to your return, Merv’s got your airfares, airport transfers, accommodation, meals, and bus tours, concessions, and levies covered.

You’ll explore the wonderful Chatham Islands by spending your evenings in the beautiful Hotel Chatham or Travellers Rest, while activities like deep-sea fishing keep you entertained during the day.

Your local tour guide will greet you at the terminal to officially kick off your Chatham Islands voyage.

During the next few days, you’ll explore the shores of Te Whanga Lagoon, where you will be given the opportunity to fossick for some fossilised shark teeth, some 30 million years old, and Nikau Bush, which is a 19-hectare forest reserve.

Another day is all about fishing as you visit the settlement of Owenga, home to a working fish factory.

WELLINGTON OR CHRISTCHURCH, DIRECT TO CHATHAM ISLANDS

Experience 8 days in one of New Zealand’s most remote and unique places. The Chatham Islands are the closest most New Zealanders can get to international travel without packing their passport.

Tour #47 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Wellington

Incorporating Festival of Science (Complimentary)

Mon 14th August 2023, departs Wellington 2.00pm - arrive Chatham Islands 4.30pm

Mon 21st August 2023, departs Chatham Islands 9.45am - arrive Wellington 11.15am

Tour #48 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Christchurch

Incorporating Festival of Science (Complimentary)

Tue 15th August 2023, departs Christchurch 2.00pm - arrive Chatham Islands 5.00pm

Tue 22nd August 2023, departs Chatham Islands 10.00am - arrive Christchurch 11.45am

Tour #49 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Christchurch

Tue 5th December 2023, departs Christchurch 2.00pm - arrive Chatham Islands 5.00pm

Tue 12th December 2023, departs Chatham Islands 10.00am - arrive Christchurch 11.45am

Tour #50 is for 8 days & 7 nights on Chatham X Wellington

Wed 3rd January 2024, departs Wellington 2.00pm - arrive Chatham Islands 4.30pm

Wed 10th January 2024, departs Chatham Islands 10.00am - arrive Wellington 11.45am

All Inclusive Costing per person: SINGLE shared facilities $4,455

TWIN / DOUBLE with ensuite $4.555 | SUPERIOR SUITES $4,655

Make up your party now and take advantage of your preferred accommodation while availability lasts.

Join Merv’s Chatham Island Tours

“An experience you will never forget.”

- Merv Halliday

Phone: 03 249 8294

Email: chathamislandtours@gmail.com

Book Online: www.chathamislandtours.nz

Another highlight is Kopinga Marae, the only Moriori marae in New Zealand.

Another day you’ll travel to Waitangi West and see a historic cottage built by Moravian Missionaries, and finally, you’ll stop by Splatter Rock and Hapupu Historic Reserve before enjoying relaxing free time for your final few days.

Join a day trip to Pitt Island and squeeze in some more fishing, or just put your feet up!

This is just small a taste of all that is offered on Merv’s Chatham Islands Tours.

Are you hungry yet?

In terms of temperature, Chatham Islands has an oceanic climate due to a narrow temperature range and relatively frequent rainfall. Its isolated position, a long way from any substantial mainland, gives the record temperature for main settlement Waitangi to be just 23.8 degrees Celsius.

The climate is cool, wet, and windy with average high temperatures between 15 and

20 degrees Celsius in summer, and between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius in July, the Southern Hemisphere winter.

Snow is extremely rare, being recorded near sea level in July 2015 after several decades.

Check out the website: [https://www. chathamislandtours.nz/] to find more information regarding packages, the schedule, all about the Chatham’s, galleries for inspiration, and on booking a trip.

Packages include things like a return airfare, seven nights’ accommodation, airport transfers, meals covered, a full-time tour leader, private property entry granted, visitor’s map, and so much more.

A run-down of how the trip will look like each day is also outlined on the website under ‘packages.’

Book now – either via online booking enquiry, email chathamislandtours@gmail.com, or call Merv on (03) 249 8294 before the next departure! CT

Hotel and tour operator Toni Croon led a tour to Splatter Rock with the Nature Photographic Society of NZ.

Christchurch Casino unveils Skylark Bar & Lounge

By Ben O’Connell

The Christchurch Casino has unveiled a stylish new addition to the city’s nightlife – Skylark Bar & Lounge. Formerly known as Valley Bar, the space has been transformed into a chic cocktail lounge.

Nestled within the heart of the casino, Skylark Bar & Lounge lives up to its name with its relaxed, fun-loving atmosphere. Fittingly, the skylark is also a symbol of divine joy that also means to indulge in jokes and tricks.

There’s not a trick in sight here though, only the certainty of an amazing evening thanks to Skylark Bar & Lounge.

Skylark Bar & Lounge is an R20 venue for quality live entertainment, sure to have you dancing the night away. Explore a delicious and daring cocktail menu of clever concoctions destined to become your go-to classics.

Toast to friends and treat your tastebuds to the delicate sweetness of flavours such as peaches, tiramisu, aloe, and lychee. Sit back, unwind, and be surprised and charmed by the extensive menu of unique and dazzling drops.

If you’re after a lighter refreshment, Skylark has a range of low alcohol and non-alcoholic cocktails, with zesty, fresh flavours like Limoncello, coconut aloe, and watermelon mint.

Head on down to Skylark Bar & Lounge between 7pm and 9pm for their daily cocktail hour. Whether you prefer the classics or crave

The highly directional Jbn Sound Ceiling speaker system installed into the ceiling of the Skylark Bar & Lounge needs to be heard to be believed!

Designed to be utilized as the ‘front of house’ speaker system, Jbn’s technology provides the Skylark Bar & Lounge with unique benefits.

Creating a “mosh pitt” of high energy, great quality sound, the Jbn system fully immerses you on the dance floor. Step off the dance floor and the sound levels reduce by half the volume. Bar staff can hear orders, guests can communicate without yelling and the gaming floor is protected from high levels of audio.

Designed to provide solutions to noise complaints from amplified music, the Jbn Sound Ceiling needs to be heard to be believed.

something new, there’s always something for you at Skylark Bar & Lounge.

Skylark Bar & Lounge cocktail menu is not to be missed, especially at its price point –cocktails are only $16, and non-alcoholic cocktails are just $12. During cocktail hour, grab a cocktail for just $12.50!

Whether you’re after a quiet relaxed evening or a vibrant night out, the special ambience of Skylark Bar & Lounge is sure to please. The venue’s spacious layout provides both intimate seating areas for private conversations, and open spaces for large groups or social gatherings.

Marvel in the refined atmosphere of Skylark Bar & Lounge, decorated with lush furnishings and warm lighting. >

Phone: 03 365 7077 Email: sparky@melray.co.nz www.melray.co.nz

WE’RE

We strive to deliver a level of service and workmanship that is second to none. We do this by utilising our best and most cherished resource, our people, whilst drawing on our collective pool of expert knowledge and diversity of experience.

If you’re looking for expert electrical contractors specialising in commercial and industrial projects and all servicing and maintenance tasks, talk to us today.

Are noise complaints impacting your business?

Is your venue suffering restrictions due to noise complaints?

Is your neighbour complaining about bass sound keeping them awake at night?

Are your bar staff subjected to loud music?

Whether you’re a licensed Club, Hotel, Pub, Wedding venue, Casino, Sports bar or Winery the Jbn Sound Ceiling directional speaker system is the guaranteed solution. The Jbn directional speaker system keeps the high volume audio exactly where you need it most, directly over your dance floor or sports viewing zone. All without disturbing your neighbours or flooding other areas of your venue. Maximise your revenues and minimise your complaints with the Jbn directional speaker system.

Gilligans Hotel and Resort: Cairns

Acacia Ridge Wedding Venue and Winery: Yarra Valley Star City Casino: Gold Coast

Entertainment | Christchurch Casino

For a sophisticated night out in the heart of Christchurch City, look no further than Christchurch Casino’s newest offering. The venue is strictly for those over 20 years of age in search for a classy twilight experience.

Live music takes centre stage each week at Skylark Bar & Lounge. With a brand-new state-of-the-art sound system, local and international acts will have you flying high, drink in hand.

From soothing jazz to energetic beats, Skylark Bar & Lounge takes entertainment to new heights. There’s something for everyone at Skylark Bar & Lounge.

The fun doesn’t stop with Skylark Bar & Lounge though! Christchurch Casino’s Hello Holidays free-to-enter promotion wants to send you on the trip of a lifetime. Running in June, July, and August, the promotion also has travel vouchers, cash, and casino dollar vouchers to give away.

In June, a trip for two to London was won by a lucky casino guest. In July, it’s a trip for two to sunny Tahiti. The Hello Holidays promo ends in August with a trip for two to Las Vegas to give away. Head to christchurchcasino.co.nz/ helloholidays to discover more about this wonderfully worldwide opportunity.

Christchurch Casino also run some amazing $15 Daily Meal Deals. Sign up to the casino’s Players Club scheme to unlock delicious eats for less. The casino serves up delectable roasts, crispy yet delicate beer battered fish, mouth-watering porterhouse steaks, and so much more.

Head down to Christchurch Casino at 30 Victoria Street in the central city today! Live it up with live music and celebrate with a cocktail at Christchurch Casino’s swanky new Skylark Bar & Lounge. Be sure to slip into Skylark for your next night out!

Be sure to visit christchurchcasino.co.nz/ restaurants-bars/skylarkbar for more information. CT

Images kindly supplied by Christchurch Casino.

Christchurch Casino

30 Victoria Street

Christchurch (03) 365 9999 www.christchurchcasino.co.nz

Whether you’re after a quiet relaxed evening or a vibrant night out, the special ambience of Skylark Bar & Lounge is sure to please.

aspect

Cancer Society to open Langdons Rd centre

By Ben O’Connell

The Cancer Society is set to open the new Canterbury Cancer Centre this September.

The centre, located at 74 Langdons Rd in Papanui, will be a hub where local people can access a range of cancer support services.

“Our hope for the future is that this centre will also be a base for other cancer organisations to work from and that we work side by side, collaboratively offering complementary services to families impacted by cancer,” says Nicola Coom, chief executive of the Cancer Society Canterbury-West Coast Division.

“As a team, we’re very excited about being able to expand and grow our services together from our amazing new facility.

“One of the benefits of this new centre is that we can offer over 18,000 nights of free accommodation for families who travel to Christchurch from Nelson, Blenheim, the West Coast, Dunedin and all of the surrounding areas for cancer treatment each year; approximately 6,000 more than we currently offer,” Nicola says.

The building’s opening will be a significant milestone for the Cancer Society, whose

offices were badly damaged by the Christchurch earthquakes in 2011.

“The past decade has been a very challenging one, but despite what’s been happening around us, we’ve managed to remain focused on our vital role of supporting those in our community with cancer and I’m extremely proud of what we’ve managed to achieve,” she says.

“We’ve relocated and expanded our services in North Canterbury, Selwyn, Ashburton and Timaru, we’ve increased our investment in research and worked closely with schools to improve shade cover for children. We launched the Fresh Air Project aimed at hospitality venues being smoke free and vape free, and we now have 18 venues in Canterbury on board.”

The Cancer Society’s Canterbury and West Coast division has supported over 2,500 families impacted by cancer over the last year alone. 2022 also saw the division complete over 6,000 drives to treatment, and investment exceeding $350,000 in cancer research locally and nationally. Looking ahead they will be doing even more.

“We’re here to lessen the impact of cancer. We support those with it, we advocate to minimise it and we research to eradicate it.

“What this means for a family is that they don’t have the added financial burden of paying for weeks and sometimes months of accommodation when they have to travel from around the South Island for their cancer treatment.

“If someone locally needs to travel to Christchurch Hospital for their medical appointments or treatment we transport them, removing the worry of car parking and access, and when someone is diagnosed, we walk alongside them and their family, helping them to navigate the emotional, physical and financial impacts of cancer, so we ensure that no one goes through cancer alone.”

The Canterbury-West Coast Cancer Society also looks ahead to August 25th –Daffodil Day.

“The month of August is a very important one for the Cancer Society as our annual Daffodil we fund our services. It is also a wonderful opportunity for us to get out on the streets and let the community know about the services that are available to them.

“Unfortunately, today almost everyone has their own experience of being impacted by cancer, and Daffodil Day is an opportunity to make a donation that will make a difference.

“It will support someone newly diagnosed, it will contribute to world leading research, it will help advocate for change and access to modern cancer drugs, increased screening and much more,” Nicola says.

The new Canterbury Cancer Centre will serve a pivotal role for Kiwis across the South Island Te Wai Pounamu, designed to meet the community’s increased demand and changing needs for cancer care.

“Responding to the growing demand for our services and matching the funding for this is one of our greatest challenges.

“The incidence of cancer is expected to double in the next decade, we’re not governmentfunded and we can’t do this alone. We are working alongside other organisations in the South Island to help us get ready to rapidly expand our service offerings and deliver them in new and efficient ways to make the best use of our precious workforce.”

The Cancer Society’s ongoing More Precious campaign (www.moreprecious.co.nz), has demonstrated the power of community support, showing what it takes to open such a specialised cancer support hub.

Having a dedicated place to go for support, advice, and information is more precious than you think. Support, donate, and spread the word today. CT

Images kindly supplied by Canterbury West Coast Cancer Society.

Cancer Society

Canterbury-West Coast (03) 379 5835 0800 226 237

contact@cancercwc.org.nz

www.cancer.org.nz

Cancer Society Canterbury-West Coast Division chief executive, Nicola Coom.

Kings Swim School set to open new facility

By Ben O’Connell

Kings Swim School is getting an upgrade. The new facility will allow the swim school to run more lessons and trainings, with eight 25m lanes across two pools.

A presence in Sockburn since 1991, Kings Swim School will officially move down Main South Road to their new facility mid-July. The community aqua hub will be the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, built with sustainability and accessibility in mind.

Kings Swim School director, Todd Mason, is proud that the new site will offer locals more opportunities to learn to swim. The facility will have two pools; one with six 25m lanes, the other a warmer, child-friendly two-lane pool.

“There will be capacity for over 2500 kids to be taught how to swim every week. We only want to grow,” he says.

There will be more lessons available for swimmers of all ages. For the around 400 under-fives who swim at Kings each week, an improved perpetual nine-level programme will cover the key swim skills along with fun activities and songs.

Upgraded customer focused software will allow parents to follow their child’s unique progress through their programme.

“Our new location will be a child friendly environment. Chipmunks are our new neighbours, so kids can have a swim and then play next-door. There’s lots for the parents to do too,” Todd says.

Kings’ after-school programme has helped thousands of kids develop essential lifelong water skills. Todd hopes that more primary schools will get on board with the programme though, especially once the new facility opens.

“Swimming is a skill for life. It’s not a cost for parents, but an investment in your children.”

Basic aquatic skills are a part of New Zealand’s school curriculum, but many kids grow up without consistent opportunities to learn. Kings gives schools a packaged 75 percent price discount on lessons.

Todd says this is just one of the many ways that Kings Swim School is working hard to empower and inspire its young people.

“It’s all about giving back to the community. We want to give people the tools they need to survive.”

More lane space means more lessons available for teenagers and adults, a demographic less likely to be keen on swim school.

“It’s more comfortable to be swimming next to people in the same position as you, sharing the journey,” he says. “Kiwis are overconfident, especially young guys. It’s one thing to be a good swimmer in the pool, but on a boat or a beach it’s a different story.”

As citizens of an island nation, it’s common for Kiwis to wrongly assume they’re competent enough in and around the water. “Around 80 percent of people who drown had no intention of being near the water,” he says. “Water safety is many things. We never say people are safe in the water, only safer. You can never be totally safe in the water.”

Kings Swim School offer transitional squad training, designed for those who have completed the learn-to-swim programme but want to continue honing their water skills.

The training leads into competitive squad training with a higher performance standard. The swim school also holds expert tri-master classes for triathletes and master swimmers. These morning and weekend sessions double as a chance for swimmers to connect socially.

And the network is extensive. Kings Swim School was founded in 1991 and was soon led by Olympian Anthony Beks.

Dame Sophie Pascoe learned to swim at Kings, and her former coach Roly Crichton still helps out with trainings. A swim coach at the 2004 Athens Olympics himself, Mason took over as owner of Kings Swim School shortly after.

Beyond Kings, Todd channels his over 35 years of experience into coaching the Vikings Swim Club, one of the fastest growing swim clubs in Canterbury.

Mason hopes the Kings Swim community will flourish with the new facility, so the list of Kings Swim School success stories does too.

“We train babies to Olympians,” Todd laughs. “It’s a pretty cool journey.”

Kings Swim School’s new facility is at 218 Main South Road. It will be open to the public mid-July. CT

Kings Swim School (03) 341 7579

info@swimkings.co.nz www.swimkings.co.nz

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We train babies to Olympians, It’s a pretty cool journey.

“ ”

- Kings Swim School director, Todd Mason

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A company focused on people

By Jamie Quinn

Silver Fern Farms was first established back in 1948, since then, they have become New Zealand’s leading procurer, processor, marketer and exporter of premium lamb, beef and venison, as well as being an industry leader in both environmental sustainability and the humane treatment of animals.

The processing industry requires care, passion and respect, and these values play a vital role in every part of the business.

Silver Fern Farms believes they can create positive change for our environment, for our people and for the economic success of New Zealand. They are the first red meat processor in New Zealand to be carbon footprint certified by Toitu Environcare, they are dedicated to sustainable farming practices and leading the transition towards low-carbon production. Sustainability is a whole department for Silver Fern Farms. They have a three-thousandacre farm where a young rugby team came along to help plant trees, along with high school students who have made the trip to do the same.

They are proud of the progress they have made towards building a more sustainable company and are inspiring the youth of today to look towards sustainability for their own futures.

By 2030 the company aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their plant operations by a significant 30 percent.

Silver Fern Farms has been approved as Net Carbon Zero by the USDA, which means that the total emissions generated by each pound of product, is measured and certified, throughout the whole life of the product. They are using whole-farm thinking to reimagine the traditionally used land into something of real value and positive benefit.

The company has been struggling with proper resourcing since Covid hit and what it’s done as far as getting employees into the country.

Their people are a huge focus for them, it’s not just about running a processing site, it’s about being agile in an ever-changing environment. The younger generation look at work differently, they value balance and Silver Fern Farms is committed to finding ways to facilitate this.

They want people to have balance in their lives, while this means constant learning, it is important to the company to make sure their people are happy without undermining the business.

The company’s dedication to doing the right thing for everyone is admirable, they ask

the question, what can we do better for our people? And this care overflows to their work for the environment which is clear to see in their initiatives to minimise their environmental impact.

Silver Fern Farms is supplied by approximately 16,000 family farmers across New Zealand, each of which has a goal to provide exceptional, high quality red meat, and make it a priority to do so responsibly.

The company follows the principles of the “five freedoms” for animal welfare, which means you’re not just buying delicious meat, you’re buying into the humane treatment of livestock, sustainability and a community of independent farmers.

What makes Silver Fern Farms’ meat different is the lush vegetation and diverse terrain of the incredible country we and our animals call home.

Roncalli, Timaru Girls High and Harlequins Junior rugby team planting out 2.5 hectares of the farm with 3,500 Kanuka and Manuka trees.

At Silver Fern Farms, they like to say that their beef, lamb and venison are like the finest New Zealand wines; rich and bright in flavour with a delicately tender, velvety texture.

What makes the company stand out, is that they go beyond grass-fed farming, they treat their animals with the utmost care and respect. The animals at Silver Fern Farms are raised in accordance to the internationally recognised principles of animal health and welfare.

The benefits of New Zealand grass-fed start at pasture and go right to the plate. New Zealand’s red meat is naturally lower in fat and is packed with vitamins and minerals.

Considering the care that goes into Silver Fern Farms animals, it’s no wonder New Zealand has some of the finest red meat in the world. CT Silver Fern Farms service@silverfernfarms.co.nz www.silverfernfarms.com

— Advertising Feature

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Cannington School and Albury School in South Canterbury have banded together to undertake a riparian planting project along the tributaries of the Pareora River.

Barry Ramsay celebrating and appreciating 56 years of loyal service.

Crafting outdoor spaces that enhance life

Turning your landscape dreams into reality

By Jamie Quinn

Green Therapy’s team of landscape specialists offer a completely bespoke client experience.

The company which came to fruition not long after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, originally began as garden maintenance.

Bryce Coulter, founder and director of Green Therapy, explains that there was a natural progression. Garden maintenance turned into planting and plant knowledge which then led him and the team to landscape design.

“We have a very intentional small team of seven. We have a culture where people are encouraged to speak up with their ideas. We’re passionate about what we do and that reflects in our work.”

The passionate team create a unique experience for each client, which starts with a consultation and site visit to determine the final vision. The team will offer knowledge led ideas and gauge if they are resonating with the client, essentially bouncing creative ideas between designer and client.

“The great thing about us is that we’re mostly known through word of mouth, which means that clients have usually heard about us or seen our work which leads them to our

website. Which means that they’re already on board and trust us to do something they like.”

When considering a design, the team naturally gravitate to the most sustainable approach; something that is also very client driven, Bryce says. Their ethos is creating an outdoor space that thrives on bio-diversity and encourages local wildlife.

The team at Green Therapy are making strides in the industry by using wool mat mulch, a recycled wool which regulates the temperature of the soil while naturally breaking down and feeding plants.

Bryce says their main rule is to plant the right plants, in the right place, significantly reducing maintenance. Designs take into consideration water conscious planting schemes, local soil and climate conditions. The company has also made the switch to electric vehicles for some of their fleet.

“Sustainability is affecting everyone right now. It’s an unstoppable wave. We’re using a lot of recycled materials and using them in unique ways.”

There was a huge gap in the market when it came to planting knowledge, says Bryce.

The team deliver a massive amount of knowledge when it comes to planting schemes and this is what sets them apart from others in the industry. Creating

sustainable and self-sufficient gardens is an art form for the small but mighty team.

“We deliberately keep it small. It’s very much quality over quantity,” Bryce says about his team.

They are excited to bring people into team with different skillsets and new ideas, but they don’t force growth for the sake of growth.

Like most in the design industry, the company has started experimenting with AI. What can’t be reproduced through technology however, are the genuine connections formed between client and designer throughout the creative process. Keeping the team small means that the interactions are meaningful and purpose driven.

Bryce says his favourite part of the job is the client engagement and freedom of creativity. Seeing the gardens develop over time is a sight to behold.

When considering gardens, the final product is never really the final product. More specifically, the design needs to take into account how the passage of time will affect the landscape.

The team think about the technical aspects of selecting which plants go where, the growth rate of each plant, maintenance needs, and its eventual mature size.

During the planning stage they will also make sure they are highlighting important points in the garden by using unique plant types, distinct structures or garden ornaments.

This is also when they will think about contrasting shapes, textures and colours to capture attention and direct the eye to a specific area. Over time, these aspects develop into something extraordinary.

If you’re wanting to create a beautiful space where you can connect with friends and family, contact Bryce and the team at Green Therapy on 0508 2GARDEN, or email at bryce@greentherapy.co.nz. CT Green Therapy

0508 2GARDEN

bryce@greentherapy.co.nz

www.greentherapy.info

— Advertising Feature

Harewood mature garden blended with new architectural build

Bobs Cove Southern Lakes natural planting

The landscaping professionals

Registered Master Landscapers (RML), previously known as the Landscaping Industry Association of New Zealand (LIANZ), has been officially representing the landscaping industry since 1985 with a mission to promote professionalism and quality trade practice.

The important thing to consider though is that most hard landscaping is designed and built to contain plants or lawns, and requires the knowledge of skilled landscapers to plan for this and allow for irrigation and drainage to ensure that it functions properly.

This means expert knowledge and skills are required to get the desired outcome.

Landowners can access a local landscaping professional by accessing the RML website. All accredited members of Registered Master Landscapers are able to provide professional advice and relevant services.

RML has branches across New Zealand and actively recruits members based on an assessment of their standard of work.

Members are bound by RML’s Constitution, Code of Conduct , Environmental Policy and Complaints Procedure, ensuring professional business practices are carried out with integrity at all times.

Membership

The various membership options offered by Registered Master Landscapers provide benefits, information and support tailored to the needs of different professionals within the industry:

• Student/Apprenticeship

• Accredited Membership

• General Membership

• Allied Membership

• Affiliate Membership.

Accreditation

Members are accredited by assessment of their work and documentation can be endorsed in any combination of landscape design, landscape construction, landscape horticulture, landscape maintenance, and landscape contract management.

They are required to submit a number of projects indicative of the services they perform in their business. Independent professionals who are qualified in the specific field(s) are

What can a Master Landscaper help you with?

• Designing your landscape

• Building your dream project

• Managing projects from start to finish

• Planting or replanting the appropriate vegetation

• Maintaining your yard or garden

• Supplying quality products for DIY projects.

employed by RML to then assess these projects before additional checks and a decision can be made.

About Registered Master Landscapers

Since 1985, Registered Master Landscapers (RML) has been supporting members in the landscaping community.

Known as the national organisation for landscaping professionals who are serious about quality trade practices, the organisation branches across all the regions in New Zealand.

In order to assure their members are of the highest quality, Registered Master Landscapers actively recruits members based on an assessment of their standard of work. The organisation promotes professionalism and quality within the ever-growing industry.

Registered Master Landscapers provides advocacy for the best interests of their members and the landscaping profession. They are committed to the education and advancement of professional standards within the landscaping industry.

Servicing both the residential and commercial sectors in New Zealand, the organisation provides a range of services from physical labour to education.

They can offer design, construction, horticultural and landscape maintenance services.

This ensures that Registered Master Landscapers covers a wide range of landscaping needs and can offer expertise in every area of the job.

The benefits of membership

There are many benefits to being a member of the Registered Master Landscapers including:

• Professional development - access business support material and specialist advice to grow your business

• Expand your knowledge through industryfocused training initiatives

• Stay connected with landscaping experts, business owners, and industry professionals

• Participate in the prestigious annual Landscapes of Distinction Awards. Showcase your work alongside the best in New Zealand

• Receive bi-monthly newsletter updates on industry and member initiatives

• Attend conferences, regional branch meetings and industry-led events located throughout New Zealand

• Support development of education and training initiatives for young landscape professionals

• Receive exclusive member offers and discounts on training courses, products, and services

• Receive member listing on our website plus business profile page featuring accredited areas of expertise

• Connect with members and access xclusive resource material on secure member website login

• Qualify to use the Registered Master Landscapers logo

• Receive an annual certificate of membership.

CT Registered Master Landscapers PO Box 5523 Auckland 1141 (05) 0844 4345

business@masterlandscapers.org.nz www.masterlandscapers.org.nz

— Advertising Feature

At Morgan + Pollard our work of landscape architecture, construction, maintenance and tree propagation has been incredibly rewarding in the decades of our company history. The independent divisions within Morgan + Pollard work autonomously, meaning we can provide both individual expertise and overall project wherewithal. It’s this capacity that’s often so prized by our clients.

For seamless action, from initial landscape design concept through to project build and ongoing maintenance, we deliver peace of mind for your piece of land.

Images from www.masterlandscapers.org.nz

Agribusiness | Viticulture

Sustainable winegrowing

The New Zealand Winegrowers 2022 Sustainability Report provided a snapshot of this very journey.

The report measures and communicates the New Zealand wine industry’s commitment and progress across six key focus areas of sustainability, including: climate, water, waste, soil, plant protection, and people.

Showcasing data collected from the 1,840 vineyards and 310 wineries certified under the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme, the report highlights how sustainability differentiates the New Zealand wine industry on the world stage.

New Zealand Winegrowers general manager of Sustainability, Dr Edwin Massey, says New Zealand’s wine industry has rightfully earned its place as one of the most progressive wine producing nations in the world.

“With the data we have available from SWNZ, we have a unique opportunity to tell our wine sustainability story at a time when caring for people and place is so aligned to our customer’s values.

“Over 96 percent of all vineyard area in New Zealand is now certified as sustainable through the SWNZ programme, with 10 percent of New Zealand wineries holding organic certification.

“It’s an achievement we can be proud of, but the real work is ensuring we not only sustain but elevate our position with an enduring commitment to continuous improvement.”

The industry goal of being carbon neutral by 2050 has the New Zealand wine industry firmly committed to a low emissions pathway, and exciting developments in vineyards and in wineries are already well underway, he says.

“It’s the positive individual actions of New Zealand wine businesses that add up to make a big impact across the wine industry, and that are helping to deliver lasting change.

“For our growers and wineries, sustainability means growing grapes and producing our world-famous wines in such a way that we can do so for generations to come.

“Every little bit counts. It means consumers can trust that their bottle of New Zealand wine has been made with respect for our world and for our people.”

Trade boost for the industry

New Zealand Winegrowers has welcomed the UK FTA that came into effect on May 31, 2023.

Sarah Wilson, general manager of Advocacy and General Counsel at New Zealand Winegrowers says the UK Free Trade agreement is very positive for the New Zealand wine industry.

“It will more closely align the winemaking standards across the two countries, and help reduce technical barriers to trade, by minimising burdens from certification and labelling requirements on New Zealand wine exports.

“It will also support future growth in the market, and encourage exporters to focus on the UK.

“The UK is New Zealand’s second largest export market for wine, with exports valued at over $470 million last year.

“UK consumers appreciate the distinctive flavours, commitment to quality, and know New Zealand wine is a unique product that they can trust.

“This agreement is especially significant at a time when we are facing increasing costs across the industry, and it will make a big difference for those who export to the UK market.

“We thank Ministers and officials for their support and conduct of ongoing negotiations over the past few years, during what have been challenging and uncertain times.” CT

Sustainable Winegrowers

New Zealand (SWNZ) was formally established in 1995 as a joint initiative of the two then very separate groups, Wine Institute of New Zealand & New Zealand Grape Growers Council.

An issue that both groups could agree on, was the need for research to help advance the burgeoning global demand for New Zealand wine. So they put aside their differences to form a joint research group: The Winegrowers Research Committee.

That’s where Forrest Wines got involved; Dr John Forrest, a research scientist, was appointed as the representative for Marlborough Grape Growers. The group quickly identified sustainability as a key research area that would be important in strengthening and solidifying New Zealand’s global brand.

Three years of vigorous debate and effort went

into moulding a scheme which, at its heart, aspires to have every grape grown (ergo all wine made) in New Zealand done so in the most sustainable way possible. And now, Dr John Forrest notes, “ Our sustainability scheme is now the envy of the Winegrowing world and New Zealand should be proud of that.”

The Forrest family definitely are, and that sustainability mindset is carried on at Forrest Wines

today by John’s daughter Beth Forrest (GM and Head Winemaker). When asked what sustainably means to her she says “To me, sustainably produced wine means - everything we do must leave the planet in a better condition than when we found it.”

One of only 12 second generation family wineries in Marlborough, sustainability is at the forefront of everything Forrest does. Their Doctors’ range is a great example of this. All managed naturally out in the vineyard with no removal of alcohol in the winery, The Doctors’ is a range of impeccably crafted lower alcohol wines which deliver all the enjoyment and are better for you.

Forrest Estate range of wines has a unique selection of alternative varieties such as Albariño and Chenin Blanc motivating people to try something new and delicious that is sustainably grown in our own back yard.

Go check them out at: www.forrest.co.nz or give them a “follow” on social media @forrestwines and support a family making great wine sustainably.

The New Zealand wine industry’s sustainability journey is significant in its importance and impact on viticulture.

Beth Forrest and Dr John Forrest

The Moving Company are the mover of choice for kiwi families, moving thousands of people around New Zealand and across the world annually since 1987.

When you choose The Moving Company for your relocation, you are engaging one of the best moving experiences available.

Timaru’s role in supporting Antarctic science

Antarctica. Cold, windy, dry, remote, and invaluable.

You can’t put a price on the importance of researching and protecting the icy continent.

New Zealand’s commitment and interest in Antarctica began with the development of Scott Base in 1957 as a supporting base for the Trans Antarctic Expedition.

Now over six decades later, Antarctica New Zealand is rebuilding it, so it can continue its long legacy of supporting science and environmental protection for the next 50+ years.

This year, construction of the base will begin right here in Timaru.

The importance of Antarctic science

Scientists have been researching Antarctica since the days of the first explorers, drawn by the extreme environment, unique species and pristine nature of the continent.

These days, a major focus of Antarctic research is how the continent and its ecosystems will be impacted by climate change, and how those changes will influence the rest of the planet.

Changes in Antarctica drive global sea level rise, ocean circulation and weather patterns around the world. The better we understand them, the better we can plan and adapt.

The science conducted at Scott Base continues to have national and global reach – whether it’s contributing to Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change work, or telling the story of how sea level rise will impact different parts of New Zealand.

Some datasets have been running since the mid-1900s, like the Scott Base Geomagnetic Observatory, which is significant due to its proximity to the South Pole.

Operated by GNS Science, it has been running uninterrupted since 1957 when Scott Base was established by Sir Edmund Hillary and his team. It now has a new home as part of the redevelopment.

This demonstrates why New Zealand is in Antarctica, and the need to maintain our

presence there. The Scott Base Redevelopment is critical to achieving this.

Protecting the pristine environment

“Antarctica has intrinsic value as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.

New Zealand, guided by manaakitanga, is committed to preserving and protecting Antarctica and the Southern Ocean for present and future generations.”

These are the words in the New Zealand’s 2019 Statement of Commitment to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.

Continued on page 44 >

Ready for a unique opportunity to elevate your career?

We now have openings for multi-skilled and experienced equipment operators with mechanical experience, surveyors, welders and more who can pivot to other roles as required.

Our Isaac Group team have spent the summer in Antarctica alongside Leighs Construction laying the groundwork for the new Scott Base Development, a new strategic hub for scientists from around the world.

The redevelopment is working to replace the base’s aging infrastructure with a safe, fit-for-purpose, and sustainable research facility that will support scientific research in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica for the next 50 years.

With sound methodology and all new machinery that underwent winterization testing before being shipped, you will accomplish amazing career milestones in this wilderness. Are you up for a challenge and want to work with others from around the globe and create a legacy?

These opportunities are not for the faint-hearted; you will be staying in one of the most isolated places in the world for up to 4.5 months, starting in October 2023. The remote nature of the work and the limited number of spaces available means you’ll need to be willing to step up wherever needed. You’ll need to be hardworking and adaptable, with great teamwork skills.

If you are experienced in earthworks and civil construction and motivated, this is an exciting opportunity very few get the opportunity to be a part of.

Register now at recruitment@isaac.co.nz

As a proud signatory of the Antarctic Treaty, New Zealand has national and international obligations in Antarctica to safeguard the Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments.

Antarctica New Zealand works to develop and maintain high-quality environmental standards and procedures that minimise Aotearoa’s environmental footprint in Antarctica.

Rebuilding the base is no exception, with strict environmental guidelines followed every step of the way.

Setting up for the future

Scott Base is Aotearoa New Zealand’s home on the ice. The facility is the strategic hub for scientists from New Zealand and across the globe to carry out some of the most important research in the world.

The redevelopment of Scott Base will see the aging infrastructure replaced with a safe, fitfor-purpose, and sustainable research facility that will support New Zealand’s presence in the Ross Sea region of Antarctica going forward.

Continuously occupied since its establishment, the base has had numerous upgrades and additions. The last major infrastructure investments occurred in the 1980s and mid-1990s.

The new base will be powered by over 90 percent renewable energy, with the Ross Island wind farm to be replaced at the same time. A large battery energy storage system will also be installed and the high voltage network and fuel generators at Scott Base will be upgraded as part of the project.

The redevelopment will continue Aotearoa’s legacy on the icy continent and strengthen our

ability to support world-leading research in one of the most remote places on the planet!

Consisting of three interconnected buildings that can accommodate up to 100 people, the new base will include an accommodation, dining and welfare building, a science and management building, and an engineering and storage building.

The base will remain the iconic kākāriki – green as a tribute to its not so distant past.

A Timaru build

Timaru’s PrimePort will be the new Scott Base’s first home, with construction set to begin later this year.

It will take three and half years to build, test and commission before the base is separated into eight modules, sealed, and shipped to Antarctica.

An ice-strengthened heavy module carrier will transport the new base 3720km across the Southern Ocean to the ice. The vessel is specifically designed to operate in remote and inaccessible areas, like Antarctica. Self-propelled modular transporters will move the new base onto the ship in Timaru and off again in Antarctica.

This is a once in a generation build happening under the watchful eye of South Canterbury. Whether you’re inspired to join the team building the base, or simply keen to watch the three green buildings being constructed on site, take a moment to remember why the new base is needed.

Hopefully it will inspire the next generation of Antarctic scientists. CT

Totalsite Supplies supporting Leighs Construction

Totalsite Supplies were pleased to have had the opportunity to supply Leighs Construction with mobile scaffolding and edge protection for the Scott Base Redevelopment. They have been supplying the trades in New Zealand with ladders, mobile scaffolding and height safety equipment from Kaitaia to Bluff and Rupert Bryant, a consultant at Totalsite Supplies, said he is thrilled that their equipment had made its way to Antarctica for such a fantastic project that will benefit researchers worldwide.

Totalsite Supplies has been providing the construction and concrete industry with a vast range of tools and equipment such as propping and formwork, tem-

porary fencing, ladders, mobile scaffolding, and edge protection. They aim to ensure that tradespeople have access to the right equipment and tools for their project, with quality gear and competitive prices.

The company's unique feature is having everything the trades need under one roof, including hire options, and knowledgeable staff who have worked in the trades themselves.

While Totalsite Supplies has an extensive range of access equipment, they are renowned for their expertise in the concrete trades, specifically in propping in the tilt slab construction industry where they supply the

entire propping package including engineered plans and accessories. Christchurch Branch Manager Dean Frizzell states that the business has seen continuous growth, as more tradespeople turn to them for their expertise in the industry, providing quality products to meet their needs while allowing them to keep their projects on budget.

Totalsite Supplies pride themselves on their extensive product range from concrete hand tools and power trowels to concrete boxing solutions, propping, water blasters, work lights, grout pumps, temp fencing and more, making them a one-stop trade store and hire depot.

Winter motoring tips

New Zealand’s winters can test even the most reliable cars, and the safest drivers, on our roads. Cold starts, icy and wet roads, early nightfall and heavy rains all put extra strain on the complex mechanical operations of the modern motor vehicle.

The MTA states that vehicles are more likely to break down when operating under extreme conditions, and motorists can make their winter driving much more enjoyable, safe and hassle-free by performing a few basic car care checks.

Staying in control on the roads starts before you turn your car on – with fewer mandatory checks, motor vehicle owners are going to have to be a lot more aware of what’s going on with their vehicles.

Small issues turn into major problems, if left unfixed; these can range from preventing you from getting where you are going and being expensive to fix and to being downright dangerous, for you and everyone else.

The MTA recommends motorists check the following parts of their vehicles, to keep them safe and working as they’re supposed to, all winter long.

1. Inspect your tyres

Tread depth and tyre wear and condition have major effects on your vehicle’s stopping distances, and how well you stay on the road. Tyres do not always wear evenly, so check the whole tread – not just the inside edges. Also, get to know your tyre pressures – it’s often on the inside pillar on the driver’s side door – and check it regularly. Most service stations have free air pumps; if you fill your tyres when you fill your gas tank, both will last longer.

2. Check your fluid levels

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended oil changes intervals: ignoring this can result in catastrophic engine failure. Also, check your coolant and water levels monthly – this protects modern motors from the huge temperature variations they go through, every trip. Finally, top up your windscreen washer fluid – and use a proper windscreen-specific additive; dishwashing liquid can corrode the metal parts of your washing mechanism. All of these are generally covered in a professional service by a good mechanic.

3. Replace your wiper blades

If you find your windscreen frosts over in the early mornings, keeping an ice scraper in the glove box can be a good idea – and much better for your windscreen than pouring a jug of boiling water on it.

4. Keep your lights bright

Winter brings fewer daylight hours and earlier nightfall – don’t get caught in the dark. Check all bulbs on your vehicle are working, including your indicators. Also, make sure the laminate in the light housing isn’t cracked, pitted or webbed; this can dramatically diffuse the beams, reducing visibility.

5. Check your brakes

Does your car stop as well as it should? If your brakes wheeze, squeal or groan, instead of bite, you may need to get them checked. Brake pads convert the moving force of the whole vehicle into heat; it’s a tough and essential job, and they wear out. Replacing worn brake pads is much cheaper than replacing brake pads along with brake drums and rotors – which is what happens if you neglect them.

6. Look after your battery

In colder weather, your motor draws more charge from the battery to turn over. Whenever you open your car’s bonnet, make sure the battery is clean, and test that all connections are tight. If you have any concerns about how much power it has left, most vehicle battery shops will test this for free. CT

Managing the asbestos risk

Three organisations dedicated to reducing and eliminating asbestos exposure are calling on businesses and tradies to do better and keep themselves, their workers and others safe.

WorkSafe, the New Zealand Demolition & Asbestos Association (NZDAA) and the Faculty of Asbestos Management of Australia and New Zealand (FAMANZ), have come together to encourage better asbestos management.

“It’s our number one work-related killer, with around 220 people dying each year from preventable asbestos-related disease,” WorkSafe chief executive, Phil Parkes says.

“What we’re seeing today is the legacy of past exposure to asbestos, often while at work.

“But action must continue to prevent future illness and death through proper asbestos handling and management.”

When kaimahi (workers) are required to work on asbestos-containing material, they must be trained to do the work safely.

This means understanding the risks involved and controls used to suppress or contain any asbestos-containing dust that is generated and how to dispose of asbestos waste safely so that others are not exposed to the dust.

“The dangers of asbestos exposure have been widely known for decades, and it’s

important that businesses and tradies manage the risk appropriately. All kaimahi have the right to be kept healthy and safe at work,” Phil says.

“Lung diseases caused by asbestos, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, have taken a dreadful toll robbing many of their health and time with their whānau.

“Businesses must manage the risks from asbestos to keep people healthy and safe,” he says.

NZDAA president Helina Stil says the amount of work being carried out in the construction industry, combined with aging residential and commercial buildings, means it’s not a ‘yesterday problem’ – asbestos exposure continues to be a risk.

“The proliferation of asbestos-containing materials in houses, buildings and machinery until the 1990s, combined with the fact these are progressively deteriorating and are approaching or have exceeded their design life, means there remains the potential for accidental exposure by workers, DIYers and others,” Helina says.

“Asbestos removalists are one part of the ecosystem, but it also begins with kaimahi on any site knowing how to identify and manage asbestos.

“This includes homeowners, landlords and property managers as well. Asbestos should be identified and appropriately

addressed in similar fashion as a business would any other health and safety risk.”

FAMANZ is calling on businesses who need to remove asbestos to make sure they’re using quality professionals who belong to an industry body.

“Unsafe levels of asbestos exposure are happening every day because of poor work practices, insufficient identification of hazards prior to works, and a blatant disrespect for health and safety,” says FAMANZ director Bridgette Jennings.

“Cost is cited as being more important than quality in the eyes of businesses when choosing qualified people to survey, remove, and assess asbestos.

“This attitude of price over competence needs to change. Quality must come first to ensure all reasonably practical steps are taken to protect people now and prevent more deaths in the future.” CT

New Zealand Demolition & Asbestos Association 57 Walls Road Penrose Auckland 1061 0800 469 322 nzdaa@nzdaa.com www.nzdaa.com

Facts about asbestos

• Around 170 people die each year in New Zealand from asbestosrelated diseases

• Exposure to asbestos dust can cause serious health issues, including various forms of cancer such as lung, larynx, and ovarian cancers

• Asbestos in good condition and left undisturbed is unlikely to pose a health risk and doesn’t need to be removed

• If asbestos is present NEVER cut it, drill it, sand it, scrape it, scrub it, waterblast it, or demolish it, unless you have had asbestos awareness training

• If you accidentally damage or uncover asbestos - stop work immediately, keep people away, minimise the spread of contamination and get advice on what to do next

• Never use high pressure waterspray, compressed air or power tools on asbestos or suspected asbestos materials

• Always wear the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with asbestos materials

• All asbestos removal work over 10 square metres must be done by either a Class A or Class B licensed company

• All friable asbestos must be removed by a Class A licensed asbestos removalist.

WasteMINZ – we’re not rubbish

When people ask what WasteMINZ does, it can be hard to explain in a single sentence.

Often, we get mixed up with Waste Management, one of New Zealand’s major waste operators; we’ve got the phone number of Waste Management on speed dial now!

In short, WasteMINZ is the authoritative voice on waste, resource recovery and contaminated land in New Zealand.

But what does that mean exactly?

We’re not rubbish

In our latest strategy, our role is laid out: We exist to make a positive impact on Aotearoa New Zealand.

While we represent waste management and resource recovery organisations (read: the people who pick up your rubbish bins every week, and the people who sort, recycle and recover it), we also represent community groups, researchers, food rescue groups, major supermarkets, packaging producers, and those looking to make a difference to the environment.

We also deal with contaminated land – a specialist and quite technical subject, but important nonetheless.

For example, we recently held a residential lead workshop, which brought together experts not only in the contaminated land field, but also housing, painting and health.

Lead contamination in residential properties is an issue our contaminated land management sector group is passionate about, and we’re working to find out more about how big the issue is, what the impacts are and how we can best collect and share data.

We put people and the environment first

It’s no coincidence that the first principle in our strategy talks about protecting and conserving our environment.

The core WasteMINZ team of eight were attracted to the job because we want to do what’s right for the environment.

We’re a values-based organisation focusing on: kaitiakitanga (environmental stewardship), kotahitanga (collaboration), akoranga (learning) and mana manaaki (building mana in others). And that’s true for our members as well. Our members want to challenge the status quo. They want to protect the environment while also providing an essential service to the community.

We all create waste and we all need to dispose of it – that’s a fact of life.

However, when natural disasters like the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle occur, waste management becomes even more important.

Despite many of them being affected themselves, our members and their teams went above and beyond to serve their community. Just a few examples include:

• Countdown worked with its local food rescue partners to donate both perishable and nonperishable food after the power was cut

• EcoGas in Reporoa received extra food waste from households to turn it into fuel and fertiliser

• Local council and waste operator staff worked long hours to ensure that flood damaged items were able to be picked up quickly and safely

• Onehunga Zero Waste Hub became a safe space for the local community

• Localised community recycling centres received flood damaged material free of charge, received donations of donated goods and distributed them to those in need

• Napier City Council, HAIL Environmental and GHD worked swiftly to remove sediment from a complex industrial area (this project recently won a WasteMINZ Award for Excellence). CT

Most people don’t think about what happens to their old tyres but with New Zealanders generating 6.5 million used tyres every year, their disposal is a significant environmental challenge.

Southern X Press Ltd has been in business since 2002 but has specialised in recycling waste tyres since 2008. Based in Bromley, they have processed over 30,000 Tonnes of tyres. In recent times having cleared some very large tyre stockpiles as well as packing agricultural and horticultural plastics for Plasback. These locations have been in Waikato, Bay of Plenty, New Plymouth, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson – Marlborough, Central Otago and closer to Christchurch.

The Custom Mobile Baler can pack over 6 tonnes of tyres per hour into 2 tonne bales. These bales are exported to India, where they are granulated into a product for use in roading, playing fields and in reconstituted rubber products to meet European specifications.

“Environmental Accountability is very important to us that’s why we are part on the New Zealand Tyre Recyclers and Collectors Association and only export to Certified overseas customers.”

WasteMINZ sector projects manager Lena Kovac makes a tasty snack for school pupils with a recipe from Love Food Hate Waste.

Living through change and grief

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

Selwyn residents who are in search of advice and tools for adapting to change or living through loss are invited to a series of free workshorkshops in the district this winter.

The Selwyn District Council says the Grief Centre is providing free mental health workshops in Rolleston, Darfield and Lincoln thanks to funding from the councils Selwyn Community Fund.

The Grief Centre is a charity offering counselling and support for people in New Zealand and

Australia. Selwyn is the first council to fund the workshops which the charity is hoping to run more widely across the country.

Christchurch resident and certified Grief Coach Sarah Robb is hosting the workshops and says they will present tools and resources to help people cope with change and loss, but will also serve as a safe space for participants to explore their grief and connect with others who share similar experiences.

“I encourage all Selwyn residents to consider attending, whether they have experienced significant loss themselves or are supporting others through it,” she says.

Sick of your cold and

“We are very grateful to the Council for prioritising the mental health and wellbeing of their residents by supporting these workshops.”

Sarah’s workshops will be interactive and Sarah will share her story about how she’s learned to adapt and embrace change through her own life experiences.

They will also include practical tools and strategies that people can implement in their own lives.

For more information, visit: www.selwyn.govt.nz. CT

I encourage all Selwyn residents to consider attending, whether they have experienced significant loss themselves or are supporting others through it.

Selwyn District looks forward

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

The Selwyn District Council has adopted its Draft Annual Plan for 2023/24. It’s the third year of the council's Long-Term Plan 2021-2031. The plan covers important issues such as the rising costs of living, inflation, capital projects and more.

Selwyn District Mayor, Sam Broughton, says the council has worked hard to pull together a work programme that keeps the rates as low as possible while ensuring its services and facilities continue to meet the needs of Selwyn’s ever-growing communities.

“We are acutely aware of the rising living costs that our residents are facing at the moment, given the high inflation,” he says.

“When planning our capital projects, we focused on what’s achievable, and thanks to several new government initiatives we have had an opportunity to also access additional funding sources. This has enabled us to progress new projects or bring some already planned forward, particularly in the transportation area,” says Sam.

In addition to several major projects, the council is continuing to invest in services, facilities and infrastructure and other community projects across the district.

These include the new community reserve development in Dunsandel and Darfield, water treatment plan in Leeston and Prebbleton, intersection upgrades in Lincoln’s town centre and more.

To deliver these services and facilities, the plan proposes committing $137.7 million to capital projects over the next 12 months. This includes $20.8 million in water supply projects, $45.8 million in wastewater projects and $43.5 million in transportation projects.

“While our work programme for next year is pretty much on track with what’s outlined in our

Long-Term Plan that was widely consulted on, it’s still important that we hear from our Selwyn communities.

“I encourage everyone to have a look at our draft plan and let us know if we are on the right track or if we have missed something,” says Mayor Sam.

The council is expecting to formally adopt the Annual Plan by the 28th of June, 2023. In the meantime, although formal submissions for

the plan closed at the end of April, the Selwyn District Council are still keen on hearing from residents in case they’ve missed something. The council received 113 submissions during the feedback period and then deliberated from the 31st of May to the 7th of June.

For more information and to take a look at the Draft Annual Plan, visit: www.yoursay.selwyn.govt.nz CT

Supporting entrepreneurs in their prime

The Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce (NTCC) is launching a Senior Entrepreneurship Programme, called Primetime, which is aimed at empowering and supporting entrepreneurs aged 50 and over who are looking to start or scale their business ventures.

The Nelson City Council says the chamber has been selected by the Office for Seniors together with four organisations to run a 12-month pilot starting in June of 2023.

“This unique programme will provide older entrepreneurs with the tools and resources they need to turn their business ideas into reality,” it says.

These tools include one-on-one mentorship from experienced business leaders, access to a network of successful entrepreneurs and industry experts, educational resources and training sessions on topics such as: marketing, finance and business planning and connection to local business organisations through the NTCC.

Project manager, Stephen Broad-Paul, says the chamber is looking forward to helping entrepreneurs bring their ideas to life.

“We recognise the incredible value and experience that senior entrepreneurs bring to the table and we believe that age should not be a barrier to entrepreneurship.

“That’s why we’ve opted to become involved in this programme to provide the support and resources that entrepreneurs in their prime need to succeed,” Stephen says.

Primetime says as the median age of our population rises, it’s recognised that more and more people are embracing the second half of their lives with plenty of life experience, enthusiasm and great ideas.

“You have a business in its early stages, or it’s just a brilliant idea and you need some extras skills and knowledge to progress it into something amazing.

“You can even apply if you have started a business before, there is no limit to the number of brilliant ideas that someone can have in their lifetime,” Primetime says.

The programme has entrepreneurs join a cohort of 16 where they attend half day workshops in Nelson, once or twice a month. The workshops will be facilitated by subject matter experts, with the content aligned to the needs of a budding entrepreneur. Students will also be assigned a mentor who will support them for nine months during the programme.

Primetime says that during the course of the programme, budding entrepreneurs will attend five-member board meetings where members can share experiences and learn from each other.

“You will need to allow up to three hours per week for this programme,” Primetime says. While there is no upper age limit, Primetime is exclusively for those 50 and over so if you’re under that age, you’re not eligible.

Registrations for Primetime are open now and you can find out more at: www.primetime.org.nz CT

Wakefield Homestead is owned and operated by Hilary Bird and Margaret Bird who are sisters that grew up in the Wakefield area. We are committed to the further development of the Wakefield Homestead to make it a home away from home.

Our mission statement is "Family working with families to make a positive difference in people's lives"

Hilary has a team of caring, dedicated staff who support our residents. All have a wide range of health and well-being experience and enjoy sharing their knowledge with other staff to continually increase their knowledge and understanding of supporting people to give them the best day possible. Community is family and Wakefield Homestead is committed to being a central part of the wider Wakefield community by being involved at all levels of village life.

South Canterbury’s importance not to be ignored

By Timmi Aplin-Barrett

The contribution of primary sector exports from Timaru and South Canterbury to New Zealand was commissioned from regional economist Benje Patterson by the Economic Development Agency, Venture Timaru.

The Timaru District Council says the report shows food and fibre exports from South Canterbury totalled $3.9 billion and, despite the region only have 1.2 percent of New Zealand’s population, accounted for approximately 7.3 percent of New Zealand’s total food and fibre exports.

The report also shows South Canterbury isn’t being stagnant in their success – they’re continuing to grow and forge ahead.

Over five years, the value of food and fibre exports from South Canterbury climbed 82 percent from an estimated $2.1 billion in 2017 to $3.9 billion in 2022.

By comparison, the report says, other exports from South Canterbury (including machinery, equipment and other manufactured goods) grew by just five percent from $105 million to $110 million over the same period.

Most of South Canterbury’s food and fibre exports are dairy ($2.5 billion), followed by meat and wool ($923 million) and seafood and aquaculture exports ($227 million).

Horticulture and processed food items exports contribute $76 million and $65 million respectively to the total.

Meanwhile, exports of arable crops of grains, grass seeds and vegetable seeds add a further $46 million to the South Canterbury total. Venture Timaru chief executive, Nigel Davenport, says the research confirmed this region was contributing significantly to New Zealand’s export economy and this needs to be substantially better recognised and supported by central government than is currently the case.

“South Canterbury is home to the most diverse range of food processors and manufacturers in a geographically close location than anywhere else in the country who, along with their

South Canterbury already delivers massive benefits to New Zealand. In an environment where we’re seeing record balance of payments deficits, our government needs to be investing in productive and high performing export sectors of the economy.

suppliers and associated servicing industries, are an integral part of New Zealand,” Nigel says. Nigel says South Canterbury punches well above its weight in terms of contribution to New Zealand’s total food and fibre exports, particularly when one considers the region’s relatively small population.

According to the Timaru District Council, Timaru’s PrimePort plays a major part in their economic success, with Statistics New Zealand data showing that $1.1 billion of exports from

the port in 2021; 99 percent of which were food and fibre products.

Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen says that despite the district’s outsized contribution to the national balance of trade, support from Government doesn’t necessarily follow.

“Our powerhouse agricultural sector provides significant income to New Zealand, but much of this production requires good infrastructure to meet its potential,” he says.

“Conservative estimates show that heavy vehicle movements on South Canterbury’s State Highways alone contributes $35 million to the Government through Road User Charges.”

Nigel says that while population-based funding is delivering major highway upgrades to cities, Timaru and South Canterbury are still dealing with one lane bridges on some of their major routes.

“South Canterbury already delivers massive benefits to New Zealand. In an environment

where we’re seeing record balance of payments deficits, our government needs to be investing in productive and high performing export sectors of the economy,” Nigel explains.

Calculations using Waka Kotahi data – based on odometer readings at certificate of fitness assessments – shows there were 79.7 million vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) by heavy vehicles on state highways in South Canterbury in 2022, which is equivalent to about 3.2 percent of all heavy VKT nationally on state highways.

RUC generated for the government by South Canterbury’s heavy VKT share was estimated to be in the order of $35 million in 2022 (out of $1.1 billion of heavy RUC collected nationally). Overall, the report highlights the importance of Timaru and South Canterbury to the rest of the country and, now, key stakeholders are wondering why they seem to be getting the short straw when it comes to government investment. CT

We are a small friendly family business specialising in quality Laminate Bench Tops.

In a recent report commissioned from regional economist, the importance of South Canterbury agriculture was highlighted, making a clear argument for more government investment in the region.

Choosing a funeral director

Having a meaningful farewell allows your loved ones to gather, support one another, remember, and celebrate your life and begin the journey of saying goodbye.

Funeral directors have a complex and vitally important event to organise and run for a family who are highly emotional with grief.

Funerals are a one-off event and cannot be rerun if something is not right and what is more, we are only just beginning to discover the long-term harm of a poorly run funeral or indeed no funeral at all.

Mental wellbeing is not something we fully understand, and grief is one of the most powerful emotions that can negatively impact on our mental well-being if it is not managed well.

A meaningful farewell makes a positive contribution to our grieving and our mental well-being.

We need to remember that a funeral is for the living.

JAMIE HARVEY Dip FD.

FD. Manager & Funeral Director

It is the start of the process where a family comes to terms with the sudden loss of a loved one and starts to understand how life will now be different with that person not being physically present as they were. One of our most precious gifts to our family when we go is a meaningful farewell to help them along that journey.

So how can we avoid the scammers, the cowboys, and also make sure that we leave our loved ones with the precious gift of a meaningful farewell.

We find someone who knows what they are doing and ask them to do it. So how do we find such a person and how do we know if they do know what they are doing?

• Find a funeral director who is committed to a written set of standards with ethical principles and ask for a copy. This provides the evidence that they know what they are doing because it is written down. As part of that also ask to see a copy of their contract for service. This sets out what they will deliver and what you or your estate will pay for. Finally ask for a written estimate so you know the cost before the event and not have it as a surprise afterwards.

• Find a funeral director who is subject to a regular inspection process to make sure that they are complying with the standards they have.

• Find a funeral director who is subject to an independent complaints process. If something goes wrong or just isn’t quite right, you need someone you can go to, to get advice or help and who has the power to do something to make it right. That someone must be independent to make the process worthwhile and the funeral director must submit to that process.

Funeral Directors Association NZ, CEO, Gillian Boyes.

• Find a funeral director who is part of a national organisation that provides training and professional development so that the funeral director keeps up to date with current legislation and the latest thinking on how to make a farewell meaningful.

Quite frankly, there are no real surprises in this list, and it is what you should expert when dealing with any professional or trades person. You can find funeral directors who meet these four simple requirements and can be your assurance of a meaningful farewell. Make sure that precious gift is all you want it to be, and your family needs it to be.

For your assurance of a meaningful farewell, visit www.funeraldirectors.co.nz, to find your local Funeral Directors Association member. CT

Article by Gillian Boyes, Funeral Directors Association NZ, CEO.

The death of someone close is a time of sadness when a range of emotions are experienced.

Helping others cope with loss and grief

Whether it’s an elderly relative or the unexpected loss of a young child, the loss of a loved one, be it in the family, a friend or colleague, is always a time of trauma and sadness for those left behind. At times grief can be an allconsuming sadness.

Support for people in mental health crisis

An increase in mental health related emergency ambulance responses is cause for great concern according to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP).

A recent report released by St John, states that over the past six months St John has responded to nearly 20,000 people who have been experiencing some form of mental health crisis.

Chair of the RANZCP New Zealand National Committee – Tu Te Akaaka Roa, Dr Mark Lawrence, says “An increase of 10 percent in mental health related incidents is a clarion call to the mental health sector.

“These statistics are a clear wake up call to improve our mental health services to avoid people reaching crisis point. Our whānau should not be reaching this level of crisis.

“There is no denying, as a nation, we need to work together to address this. St John can’t do

it alone, nor can whānau, nor can psychiatrists. Together however, we can – and must – make a real difference.”

The RANZCP emphasised that the best way to combat this increase in mental health call outs was for emergency and mental health services to work together.

“Let’s work together,” says Dr Susanna GaleaSinger, chair of the New Zealand Faculty of Addiction Psychiatry Subcommittee.

“We need to do more to prevent people reaching crisis point and this can be done by “getting the right people, in the right places, at the right time.

“In practice, this means seeking interventions proven to work – whether they are new and innovative or tried and trusted – then putting them into use with the funding required for their success.

“Community and peer support are crucial elements in the mix,” Dr Galea-Singer says.

Simple

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.

“Today’s mental health services are facing more complex cases: patients with multiple health issues. This makes service provision particularly challenging.”

Dr Lawrence also affirmed that while the figures are concerning, the situation is not entirely hopeless and there is still much we can all do.

“Our first step should be ensuring we keep a clear person-centred/whānau-centred approach. Viewing health and mental health holistically, there are successful, costeffective interventions that improve access, that work for Māori, and that can prevent issues from escalating to a crisis state.” CT

Dignified

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.

Personal

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.

But if you want your company to grow, you need to hire the right people. You need people that are not only right for the now but can also help you move the business towards bigger and better things in the future.

This is especially so for smaller businesses and startups because they have fewer employees and a limited income with which to work.

For these companies every single dollar they spend on finding and hiring an employee can affect their longer term success, meaning it’s vital that they avoid making major mistakes while hiring.

But the trouble is that running a small business is hard work and there often simply isn’t the time to commit to a thorough hiring process; and as result, corners get cut.

The good news is that your competitors are probably making these mistakes whilst hiring as well. This means there’s an opportunity for you to seize; to waste less time and money by hiring right so you can get back to running your company.

Mistake 1 - Not having an interview plan

The single biggest hiring mistake small business owners make is winging it or not having an interview plan. At best they’ll have a few questions written down on a piece of paper, but little else.

You need to treat an interview like a deductive science. You’ve sorted through all the resumes and selected the best individuals to be interviewed – but now you need a better way of evaluating their suitability for the role than just having a chat and going with your gut.

You achieve this by having an interview plan.

First – decide what questions are the most important, and ask them to each candidate.

Second – know what answers you’re looking for. Then you can assess each answer objectively and place candidates in pecking order.

This doesn’t have to be an iron-clad, exactly repeatable process – but it does need to have some consistency to it so you can accurately assess candidates’ answers in relation to each other.

If you just wing each interview, the direction, tone and outcome of each conversation can vary wildly, making it more difficult to compare candidates to each other. The outcome of this can be that, despite spending all that time interviewing people, to a certain extent, you’re still none the wiser.

Then, the chances are, when it comes to deciding who to hire, you’re going to go with your gut, as you won’t reliably be able to compare one answer to another because you didn’t ask each candidate a few standard questions you can compare them by.

So, a little planning can go a long way towards helping you make an informed and considered choice of who to hire, as opposed to just sitting down with each individuals, having a completely random chat, and then hoping you get it right.

Mistake 2 - Overvaluing experience

It is risky to bet too heavily on how much experience a person has, when there are so many factors that determine whether someone will be successful in the role and a good fit for your organisation.

An applicant’s skills, knowledge, aptitude and personality all factor into the equation.

Because experience is a tangible and measurable component, it is very easy to overvalue it above less easily measurable factors such as intelligence, drive, and other components of raw talent.

Experience accumulates with time in the role and skills can be learned and acquired. Your next great employee might be someone with limited experience, but who has fantastic aptitude and flexibility.

Placing too much stock on a heavy list of qualifications in your job description, or only considering applicants with x amount of experience and not considering other factors, means you might be turning a blindeye to someone better suited to the role and your company’s culture.

However, this is a double-edged sword and there is a flip side.

If you’re looking to hire someone without any experience in the hope of finding someone cheaper – you might be buying into a false economy.

Ignoring a candidate with what you consider to be necessary experience in the hope of saving a few thousand dollars a year by hiring an unproven person, might not actually save you anything, due to the amount of on-the-job training and potentially decreased productivity the less experienced employee will deliver.

So, as with all aspects of running your business, you need to find a balance.

But it definitely pays to consider more than just the experience a candidate comes with. You want someone with the potential to grow into the perfect for your company.

Mistake 3 - Assuming the hiring process ends once they’re hired

This is a common mistake many small business owners make.

An employee’s productivity is comprised of 50 percent ability [the reasons you hired them], and 50 percent of what happens once they’re in the workplace.

So conducting a good interview, offering that promising person the job and them saying ‘yes’ is only half the task.

Employees need to be properly induced and introduced to your company, well trained and supported.

It doesn’t matter how impressed you are with someone’s potential – poor training, insufficient access to resources, and little feedback will add up to poor job satisfaction and this will impact their performance.

So recruitment doesn’t stop at the ‘welcome aboard’ handshake – you need to make sure they are introduced, trained and supported every step of the way.

Hiring new employees is not an easy process. You’ve got to wade through a mountain of applications, weed out the few you’re interested in and then interview all the candidates – all while still running your company.

Are you at risk of melanoma?

Did you know that New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma in the world? Every day, around 7 New Zealanders are diagnosed with melanoma - it’s the most serious form of skin cancer and it can quickly become deadly.1,2

That’s why MoleMap’s proven skin-mapping system is designed to detect skin cancers such as melanoma early – when it’s most treatable.3

We check. And double-check.

With MoleMap you get two sets of expert eyes examining any moles of concern: a trained Melanographer and an experienced specialist Dermatologist.

Fewer scars.

Fewer scares.

Because MoleMap can more accurately identify melanoma, there is less need to surgically remove benign (harmless) moles.1

Early detection makes a difference.

Early melanoma detection offers a nearly 100% chance of survival within 5 years. That’s why it’s always worth checking.

0800 665 362 | molemap.co.nz

2.

3. https://www.melanoma.org.nz/early-detection