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International Back to basics hub for city Grow your own: New Zealand’s gardener of the year Jade Temepara showcases her vegetable garden Digging the Future at the Ellerslie International Flower Show which opened yesterday. The Ashburton designer created her garden EXCLUSIVE with $100 to support a family of four. For Multifunctional and multicultural: Clockwise from top left: more on Ellerslie English work 2, coordinator seefor pages 20 and Helen Wilkinson, workplace literacy coordinator Anne-Marie Hampton, business owner Abdul 21. Photo: Gilbert Hashim, CBA chief executive Taz Mukorombindo and language Wealleans school director David Wilkinson discuss a proposal for an international precinct in the new Christchurch city centre. Photo: Tom Doudney
Let’s get the eastern arsonists Staff reporters news@mainlandpress.co.nz
CHRISTCHURCH’S international business Gina McKenzie community would get its own precinct in the new central city under proposal forward by COMMUNITY actionacould helpput solve a spate theeastern Canterbury Business (CBA).to of suburbs arson Association attacks, according CBA chiefChristchurch executive area Taz commander Mukorombindo Fire Service Jon said the precinct would be a public-private Graham. partnership togetherover ethnic The series bringing of arson attacks therestaurants past three and shops, vocational language schools weekends razed thetraining, landmark 52-year-old and community Leander Buildingservices. at Kerrs Reach in Avonside “The and government very interested in this Drive damagedis Aranui High School, concept because of its to revitalise the Avondale Primary andability Aranui Kids First city,” Mr Mukorombindo said. Kindergarten. A CBA business The attackssurvey steppedofup international a notch at the weekend owners found were not hours landowners, were with seven firesmany lit in the early of Saturday under-insured and suffered shortfallsstreets from morning in Aldershot and Portsmouth insurance payouts. and Ben Rarere Avenue in Aranui. Mr Mukorombindo said half ofand the 72 Four of the fires were litatatleast properties at respondents were facing these issues.
One such owner was Abdul Hashim, who opened his Riccarton restaurant, Taste of Bengal, nine years ago, one were year after two of the properties people asleeparriving inside in New Zealand their houses at thefrom time.Bangladesh. Mr Hashim said escaped issues such as damagebut andthe the The residents uninjured fact many in people did not realise restaurant escalation the arson attacks hadthe alarmed Mr was open had seen patronage drop by 60 per Graham. cent sincevery the earthquakes andthese he didn’t seeare an “We’re concerned that attacks end to waiting things towhile be resolved. creeping into for properties residents are Moving to the central business district could asleep. revive Mr Hashim’s so stopped.” he said he “It’s gone too far andbusiness, needs to be would support hoped an international precinct that Mr Graham Wainoni and Avonside could offerwould him more accesstotoprovide customers. residents be able further Central City Development Unit director information. Warwick Isaacs and even ethnic “People are our said eyes diversity and ears and a businesses important components of small detail would such asbe seeing an unfamiliar person thetheir newstreet CBD, butprovide thoughta breakthrough. that would occur in could naturally, without needing to set aside a specific
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international in focus, but the umbrella organisation was not. Mrin Asmussen said Christchurch Community even those areas with large sections of empty House would consider operating in or close to houses. an“If international precinct if service the accommodation someone calls the fire we will aim costs to be were there attractive. within six minutes so we are still International are invited very much a partbusiness of easternowners Christchurch.” toMr participate a survey the proposed Graham insaid the fireabout service was still precinct out online at http://fluidsurveys.com/ carrying an ongoing investigation into the surveys/cba/cba-ethnic-business-ownerarson attacks in conjunction with the police. survey/ those wanting more information “We areand analysing the scenes of the fires and could contact the Canterbury Business the results will contribute to the investigation.” Association. If anyone has any information regarding the arson attacks or has noticed any suspicious activity in do theyou Wainoni, or Avonside What think ofAranui an international areas please contact the Christchurch central precinct for Christchurch? police on 363 7400. Email news@mainlandpress.co.nz
area. However he was open to discussing the concept. Wilkinson’s that Language School director “Something seems insignifi cant be very David Wilkinson saw encourage the precinctpeople as a positive important so I would in the development and one the school would like to area to report anything suspicious.” beOvergrown part of. vegetation and abandoned houses like tosuburbs gain larger premises, premises in “We’d the eastern provided fuel for arson with a and greatMrmixing ofsaid ethnic groupsneeded because attacks Graham residents to that’s ourvegetation bread andgrowth. butter really.” monitor Christchurch Community House “People need to be aware that evenmanager if they Mike live Asmussen he supported ideastill so don’t in theirsaid house anymore ifthethey far as the it amalgamated community groups in one own property they are responsible for location.vegetation under control. keeping Community House formerly an “If the property is owned by operated Cera theninthe 1800-square-metre building on Hereford Street council will take care of the vegetation.” and week said signed for aa Mrthis Graham theafitemporary re service lease still had 378-square-metre location on Tuam very active presence in the easternSt.suburbs, A number of its 52 organisations were
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