THURSDAY MARCH 15 2012
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‘We’re back’
Welcome home: After not playing in the city since May 2010 the Crusaders returned to play in the new AMI Stadium on Saturday. Crusaders captain Kieran Read, pictured, was pumped up as he led the team on the ďŹ eld. See story pg 6 and pg 3 for details of our great Crusaders giveaway competition. Inset: Some of the ag-waving crowd. Photos: Chris Tobin
Painters from China suggested for Christchurch rebuild Chris Tobin
TRADE-qualiďŹ ed painters are in such short supply around Christchurch suggestions have been made they should be recruited from China and Thailand according to Canterbury Master Painters’ Association chairman Paul O’Donnell. Mr O’Donnell said the painting industry could do with another 500 to 1000 painters for the rebuild spread over six years. “Private ďŹ rms have been talking of bringing in Chinese workers but we need to train
people here, the unemployed and through the prisons and schools. “Everybody is at out. I could have another 20 painters for my company but I can’t get them.â€? He said two companies with contacts in Thailand and China had suggested the idea of painters coming from those countries and another suggestion was for Irish painters being brought to the city on one-year contracts. Mr O’Donnell did not believe recruiting from
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services as painters. President of the Canterbury Master Builders’ Association Richard Field said there was not a shortage of builders in Christchurch for the amount of work that was presently available. “Everybody told us there would be a shortage. There’s not. Everybody could be doing more work than what they’ve got.� (See page 3 story Visas given)
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CITYWIDE Ray White New Zealand Property Manager of the Year 2011
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overseas was the answer. Demand was so great he said the master painters’ association had been emailed by a woman who had just completed a 12-week polytechnic course. “She wanted to know if there was anyone she could employ as painters because she was starting a business. Should people employ someone like that? It takes us years to learn how to do a good job.� With insurance hold-ups, builders were not experiencing the same demand for their
More properties urgently needed Ph 331 6755 Ray Hastie, Samantha Risdon, Doug Nicol, Rylee Bassett 239 Opawa Rd, Opawa
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