Page 2
Contents About Neighbourhood Support
4
Freemason’s Kind Donation
37
Message from the Editorial Team
5
41
From the Manager’s Desk
7
Halswell Community Project Make the Community You Want to See!
Halswell Neighbours
9
Community Patrollers
11
Burglary Messaging
15
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
45
Ashburton District Neighbourhood Support
49
Reducing the Burglar’s Opportunities 17
Fendalton Friendship Club
51
How to Report a Crime
21
Get A Life by Gavin Marriott 53
Junior Neighbourhood Support
23
The Dreaded Blow Fly
54
Mentor at Large
27
3 Elderly Golfers
55
House For Sale
31
How Safe Is Your Home?
57
Civil Defence Evacuation Plan
59
Contact Information
63
Page 3
About Neighbourhood Support
History Neighbourhood Watch was introduced to New Zealand as a crime prevention initiative in the late 1970’s. The initiative evolved to become Neighbourhood Support New Zealand, a community owned and managed organisation with a wide-ranging interest in community support, safety and crime prevention. Neighbourhood Support became an Incorporated Society in 2000. In 2001 it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Zealand Police. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to establish and promote a collaborative working relationship between Neighbourhood Support New Zealand Incorporated and the Police.
Objectives Neighbourhood Support aims to make homes, streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer and more caring places in which to live. This is primarily achieved through establishment of small cells of households known as a “Neighbourhood Support Group”, comprising anywhere from 4 to 50 residential households in a single street or suburb. Groups throughout a single suburb or a wider town or city area are co-ordinated either via a civilian co-ordinator, or through a Community Constable based at a local Police station. The main purpose of the groups is to encourage neighbours to know one another and share information on crime or suspicious activities in their area. Early contact with authorities such as the Police is also encouraged for reporting of unusual observations or unacceptable behaviour. Crime prevention information can also be shared with group members via Community Constables, or Neighbourhood Support Area Coordinators. A secondary objective of Neighbourhood Support is to facilitate communication between Civil Defence (Emergency Management) and the community during a manmade or natural disaster affecting residents. Page 4
Message from the Editorial Team Sadly, the world in which we live is not as law abiding as it was a generation or two ago which makes the work of all sorts of government and voluntary organisations vital. Neighbourhood Support is a lively, worthwhile and necessary organisation which provides avenues for neighbours and communities to socialise, and look out for each other. Our sincere thanks to the contributors of all the articles contained here. A lot of hours have gone in to making this book as relevant, useful and convenient to use as possible. This book is a vehicle for the latest news and messages of many of the above, in an easy to use format. Please keep it by your phone for ready reference. The community minded advertisers represented in this book have provided the finance for its manufacture and distribution as well as critical funding for your local Neighbourhood Support groups to continue their important work.
Please support these advertisers as they are supporting you!
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Published Bi-annually ref: E18C1 Page 5
SAFETY IN THE COMMUNITY For generations we in the community have relied upon the, often lifesaving, skills of the emergency services to keep us safe. We know that help from Police, Fire or Ambulance is but a phone call away. As responsible homeowners we protect ourselves and our property with modern locks or burglar alarms, smoke alarms and medical alarms. All of these advancements have become part of modern living. They still, however, rely on a prompt response from emergency services and for them to get to us fast ! But can the responders find us quickly when they get there ?
Enquiries to Warren Bellaney
Mobile 021 057 0414 Page 6
Are we doing our bit to ensure our properties can be easily identified and thus reduce delay? Yes, modern technology has given us the GPS Navigation System which has made a huge impact. This does not, however, remove the need for clear and highly visible property numbering to help “zero in” on the location of an emergency. Important, particularly in some hillside and rural areas, where some entrances are not so well d e fi n e d a n d re fe re n ce to n e i g h b o u ri n g addresses is also obscure. Please remember that the number on your letterbox, wall, fence, or gate is not just for the postie or the taxi driver. It serves a very useful role in an emergency as well.
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From the Manager’s Desk The last 6 months or so have flown by. Time seems to go quicker the older you get. A week seemed like a month when I was in Primary School. Barbara (our Office Manager) has well and truly settled into her role and has been busy with all manner of projects. Elissa (JNS Co-ordinator) has had a busy and productive time over the last few months. She will cover what she has been doing in her article. Our membership has continued to grow steadily with over 16,000 now signed up to the Gets Ready Programme. We have used Gets Ready a number of times in the past few months, mainly for Met Service Severe Weather warnings or watches. On two occasions I sent requests for volunteers for RSA Poppy manufacturing and the Community Driver Mentoring Programme. The number of people who contacted the two organisations to help was outstanding. I have been advised that the biggest group of Driver Mentors come from Neighbourhood Support members. Who said volunteering was dead? It is well and truly alive and kicking. Just a reminder to Co-ordinators especially, if you want any training, initial or refresher on the Gets Ready system, let me know and I will make time available. We have some of our groups that have only the Co-ordinators details in the Gets Ready system, a personal choice, but in the event of any alert that needs distributing to your members and you are unavailable for any reason, the message will not get through. Please consider signing all your members up to Gets Ready to cover that possibility. We continue our programme working with Otautahi Community Housing Trust (formerly CCC Housing) with now over 300 residents part of the Gets Ready network. Later during the year (funding available) we will be working with organisations in the Tsunami Threat areas, identifying where possible socially isolated individuals and attempting to link them with our existing groups in the area. Funding from our sponsors enables us to continue our work at no cost to the people we work with. The Christchurch City Council, Rata Foundation, Lotto, COGS, Canterbury Earthquake Recover Trust, and MARKAT (our magazine publishers) all contribute funding to enable us to keep building stronger and more resilient communities. NZ Police provide us with office space and assist with the distribution of the Eye on Communities magazine. Stay warm and dry. Dave. Page 7
Page 8
Halswell Neighbours We come in all shapes and sizes
Thin, little, large, tall, short, straight, gay, religious, retiree, young, loud, funny, strange, reclusive, , families, with and without pets, married, single and every other kind of individual characteristic you can imagine, but we all have two things in common …. We are neighbours and we all know one another. There are 16 houses in our neighbourhood. We have two pot-luck Neighbourhood Support BBQ’s each year – one at the beginning of Summer and one at the end. These BBQ’s are coveted and always well attended. Sometimes we even run fun initiatives like tomato growing competitions. We’ve had fun, excitement, suspense, impressive gossip, grief, sadness and lots and lots of laughter. We come from all walks of life and ended up in a community that cares for one another, is respectful of one another, embraces the differences in one another, keeps an eye out for one another and are thankful that we have a neighbourhood like ours. You can’t put a price on that! This amazing community feeling has grown from over the fence chats and is achievable in any neighbourhood, anywhere. It just takes a little bit of effort and a lot of conversation.
Our lives are enriched by the people around us. We highly recommend it! Pam of Halswell, Christchurch.
Page 9
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Community Patrollers Community Patrollers raise their profile by J F Pearson and D Gillett
What a difference a smart uniform makes. Community Patrol members in Christchurch, all Police vetted, have had the opportunity to raise their profile over the last few years in an effort to keep the community safe. An improved relationship with the Police has developed over time and the Christchurch Police have encouraged the patrols by providing occasions where our patrollers have assisted with the day’s activities in a role as official officers at various public functions. The Canterbury Police Station, within the new Justice Precinct, held a public open day on Sunday March 11th between 10 am and 2 pm and the doors were opened, where access was normally only by card. The area comprises two buildings: Justice Building and Emergency Services Building, with a total floor area of 42,000 m2 which houses staff from the Police, Ministry of Justice, Corrections, Fire and Emergency NZ, St John and Civil Defence. The building design was a partnership between the Ministry of Justice and Ngai Tuahuriri with a high level of artistic Maori symbolism including a stunning 36 m long external wrap around aluminium feather cloak wall covering, on the external wall of the operational car park. The public were able to view up close some of the activities with family friendly areas of interest including Armed Offenders, Page 11
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Page 12
Community Patrollers Police dog squad and a tour of the Police cells to mention just a few. More than fifty Community Patrollers volunteered and were easily identified in their blue uniform shirts and fluoro vests. We assisted with guiding the members of the public on the one-way route, answering questions and aiding families with stroller to selected lifts for ease of movement between floors. Twelve Community Patrollers from Riccarton and Hornby Patrols assisted at the Korean Festival held in the Cathedral Square in early December. A sunny day for the public to enjoy the authentic taste of traditional and modern Korean cuisine, culture and dance. The occasion was a good public relations time for the patrollers who joined the crowd, gave directions when requested and supervised the no alcohol policy. The Diwali festival, an ancient Hindu event was held mid-October at Horncastle Arena, Christchurch; to raise the public awareness of the culture with the increase in multicultural communities in New Zealand. More than 8,000 Cantabrians attended the four-hour action-packed event, which showcased on stage both Indian traditional and folk music, song and dance by 360 volunteer performers. NZ Police made a guest appearance on stage to much public acclaim. Numerous food stalls served a range of authentic meals and curries plus trade stalls displayed Indian dresses and shoes. Again, the uniformed Community Patrollers were in evidence mixing and mingling within the crowd. If you would like to join in with a friendly group, of similar minded people keen to keep the community in which we all live safer; please contact 03 335 0114 for the Riccarton Community Patrol or 021 0854 6545 and leave your details for the wider Canterbury District area.
Page 13
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Burglary Messaging Police will continue to work hard to prevent, respond, investigate and resolve burglaries, but we can’t do it alone. Everyone can take steps to protect their property and help avoid becoming a victim of crime. Keep money or items of sentimental value secure and out of sight — thieves are opportunistic. Always be alert of what’s happening around you and please ensure you report any suspicious behaviour. Dial 111 immediately if you see someone breaking into a house or car. With a few simple actions, you can make sure your home is secure when you are out or on holiday. • Lock your car and garage. • Keep the doors locked, even when you’re at home. • Keep your spare key in a safe place. • Generally, the more expensive the lock, the more effective it will be. • Consider installing burglar alarms. • Sensor lights act as a deterrent. You can find more advice on the Police website www.police.govt.nz Police also works closely with other agencies and organisations – for example, SNAP and CrimeStoppers – and are always looking for opportunities and new ideas to help tackle crimes such as burglary. We want to hear from anyone who may have information that may assist our investigations into burglaries. Information can be reported to your local station, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Burglaries prompt security warning. Police are warning anyone renting out their property online to take extra security precautions following a spate of burglaries in Christchurch. Police have so far connected six burglaries to bookings made through popular accommodation websites. The offenders are booking properties through these sites using stolen credit cards, turning up and stripping them bare, taking everything from lounge suites and bedding to whiteware. There are a number of steps people can take to keep their property safe. These include meeting with, or having an agent meet with, renters and sighting photo identification such as a passport or driver’s licence. We urge property owners to make the checks themselves and ensure renters are who they say they are. That may also mean contacting the booking platform to ensure the transaction is legitimate. You’re essentially opening your door to strangers so make sure you have the right measures in place to protect your investment. Page 15
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Reducing the Burglar’s Opportunities Helpful information to help prevent burglary
Knowing how a burglar thinks and operates is good background information to help put things in place to prevent you or someone you know becoming a burglary victim. The following information outlines some practical and simple steps to reduce the risk of being burgled: • Set up or join a Neighbourhood Support Group in your area and advertise the fact by displaying Neighbourhood Support signs and stickers. • Make sure doors, windows and other entry and exit points from your house have good quality, effective catches and locks - deadlocks if possible. Get into the habit of always using these locks • Always lock doors and windows at night, if you’re out in the garden or going out or away. Don’t leave a door key hidden outside - burglars know all the places to look • Keep garden sheds and garages secure and lock away tools and ladders • Have an alarm system professionally installed and consider having it monitored by a reputable security company • Install sensor lights on access paths or around main external doors • Install a ‘peep-hole’ in a front door so you know who’s visiting you • Ask unannounced visitors who they are and what they want. If you’re not satisfied with their answer, don’t open the door to them • Trim trees or remove shrubbery which might ‘hide’ a burglar’s activity • Get to know your neighbours and develop plans to deal with problems or suspicious activity. Exchanging phone numbers or emergency contact details is a good start. Page 17
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Reducing the Burglar’s Opportunities • If you’re going away, neighbours can collect your mail or newspaper and make your place look occupied, for example by turning on lights, parking a vehicle in your driveway, hanging washing on your line or mowing lawns • Mark valuable property with serial numbers and keep a record of these numbers • Consider placing “Beware of Dog” signs on gates or fences • If you have an answer phone, don’t record a message that suggests you’re out or alone. • Police are always interested in suspicious activity. Don’t hesitate to call Police to report something out of the ordinary and, if you see a crime being committed, call 111. Above all, remember burglars like easy, tempting opportunities. DON’T overlook the obvious and DO all you can to reduce the risk of being burgled.
If you, or someone you know has been burgled, it is best to take immediate action to improve the security of your home and reduce the risk of being burgled again. If you do see someone acting suspiciously in your neighbourhood ask yourself the following questions. • Have I seen this person in the neighbourhood before? [If you live in a cul-de-sac or a more rural location a non-local will be immediately obvious] • Does s/he look comfortable doing what they’re doing? • Is there a sense of purpose to the person’s activity? • Do they look like they’re going somewhere? Are they hesitant or even loitering? • What does the person appear to be looking at and why? • How did the person come to be in the area? Is there a car nearby, and if s/he is some distance from it, why? • What’s the car registration number? Answering these questions and even taking notes about the person’s appearance, clothes, height or other distinguishing features can go a long way toward identifying a crime suspect and making your neighbourhood a safer place to live. Page 19
Page 20
How to Report a Crime Recently there has been some confusion on social media about how to report a Crime. From the Police website - http://www.police.govt.nz/contact-us/ how-report-crime
Emergency: call 111 Call 111 and ask for Police when: • • • •
someone is badly injured or in danger there’s a serious risk to life or property a crime is being committed and the offenders are still there or have just left you’ve come across a major public inconvenience, such as trees blocking a highway • any of these things are happening now or have just happened.
If you can’t decide if it’s a real emergency and you’re still worried, call 111 and ask us. We’ll help you work out what to do.
Non-emergency: contact your nearest police station Phone or visit your nearest police station: • to report incidents or crimes that have already happened (e.g. theft) some time in the past and a rapid police response is not likely to affect the outcome • for general enquiries.
Reporting crime by phone If something you’re worried about is happening right now (e.g. a crime is taking place or if anyone’s safety is at risk) ring 111. If your matter isn’t urgent please call your nearest station. When you call your nearest station, the phone may be answered by a police officer or by an employee working at the front desk. In either case they will be able to tell you what to do next. You may be put through to the Crime Reporting Line. Staff will then collect as much information as possible about your complaint. You will get an email confirming your complaint has been received. As with any complaint taken by Police, it will be analysed to see whether there is sufficient information to pursue. Police will contact you to let you know what action has been taken.
Reporting crime in person Talk to the person at the front desk and they will tell you what to do next. Depending on your complaint you may be able to speak to an officer straight away. Appointments aren’t always necessary, but to ensure someone will be there to assist you it is best to phone ahead – especially if your nearest station is a small or rural station. Find local stations and contact details. Please note that if you do not report a crime in your area, Police will not know about it, cannot identify any patterns of offending, and cannot allocate patrols accordingly. Page 21
The Sustainable Living Programme is a practical, fun way to learn and use actions which reduce your environmental impacts. It offers you future living skills for a healthier lifestyle and a new approach to making consumer choices.
Waimakariri District’s residents can download the learning guides to find eco-building design or house renovation suggestions, see how to make their homes healthier, drier and warmer, and reduce their power bills (among other sustainable actions).
To register on-line go to http://www.sustainableliving.org.nz/SLP/Councils click on the link for “Waimakariri” and then on “sign up for access to the Sustainable Living study guide”.
Page 22
Future Living Skills
Junior Neighbourhood Support I’d like to take this opportunity to explain how the Junior Neighbourhood Support Programme is developing into the future. As I have come into this job with a teaching back ground, I desired to have more time in schools with the children so I have trialled adding focuses to the programme that use the important messages that children need to learn to enhance their own safety and to be able to help others. We know there are many strong messages targeted to children, you may know some of them well; ‘Get Down, Get Low, Get out’, ‘Cool Kids Wear Lids’ and ‘Stan’s got a Plan’. Each generation of children need to learn these but resources to get to schools can be limited especially for example; when your core function is to put out fires and attend car crashes! As I have an on-going relationship with the JNS Schools, it is perfect for me to reinforce those important messages over the school year. This is where the JNS Leaders have a great role. I question the leaders, ‘What do you think your school needs to learn to be safe?’ and ‘What could the children or the school benefit from?’ We then put this into action in a project form. Currently there is a huge variety in what the leaders choose at each school, from designing a safe bike track, Tee Shirts that celebrate your suburb to Emergency Evacuation Procedures in Pictures and Travel Safe to School maps. This has increased the number of children who are impacted by the programme greatly and up-skills the JNS Leaders to become community leaders in future.
Page 23
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Junior Neighbourhood Support
Here is what Jayla a year 6 JNS leader at Bamford School has to say: “I’m very happy that I was chosen to be a JNS leader, I like doing plays at assembly that teach my school about how to be safe. Elissa comes and spends special time with us which is fun”. And Katherine a year 8 JNS leader from Mt Pleasant says “Elissa helps us come up with so many fun ways for us to teach our school and wider community how to stay safe.”
Page 25
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Page 26
Mentor at Large
By Stioux – a mentor on CDMP
I was talking to Dave Wilkinson about really bad drivers that can’t see that they are not only bad drivers but actually breaking the law with their cavalier attitude to driving and total disregard to other road users. ‘It starts at their training’ I said ‘and gets worse with time because nobody tells them they’re doing wrong’. ‘Well you can do something about it’ said Dave – ‘Be a Driver Mentor’. ‘Yeah right’ I said, immediately making myself part of the problem. I started soon after. Meeting Keran and Struan, from the Salvation Army Driver Programme, was part one of being made feel welcome. I did a two hour course on mentoring which took on some problems seldom mentioned and I actually learned things that day that I didn’t know … I wasn’t telling them that though. Part two was the ongoing friendship we have developed. My first student was Sonya who had been driving on the farm since she was 10 years old – Sadly, on the farm there are no stop signs, and who needs parallel parking in a paddock? She quickly became very proficient at parallel parking. Speed was another situation we addressed - no 50 km signs on the farm. Yukiko was a Dream student – never really having driven much before. A fresh canvas, and this girl was a sponge … she just soaked up everything I taught her and never made the same mistake twice. Once we kicked the training wheels off and set her doing test course driving, improvement came in every session. I was not in New Zealand when Struan took Yuki to her test. She passed at first attempt … I was not surprised but I was so proud. I’ve just finished with Abbey who is currently waiting to do her test. Abbey also had been driving for a few years and it showed in her confidence and competence. Her parallel parking was beyond reproach and all round a very good driver. I almost could have fallen asleep in the car while out with Abbey. OK, I’m just a beginner at mentoring but every drive I go on, I learn something new. I certainly did not expect to enjoy the experience so much. The challenges are there but nothing that I would call serious. There are three cars in the fleet and one student was a bit put off when we changed cars but within minutes of driving was back in her comfort zone. If that was a challenge then I have very little to worry about. Surprises consist mainly of other drivers and how blatantly they break the Law. An L plate on a car means nothing to some of these other road users; they have completely forgotten that they were once in this position. So often you see unaware people changing lanes, changing direction and no consideration is widespread. Page 27
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Mentor at Large By far the greatest reward was Yuki getting her Licence on her first attempt and if I can achieve that result once, I can achieve it every time … Well I certainly hope so. What a shame that there are not more people interested in seeing a better class of driver on the road. The Community Driver Mentor Programme is very worthwhile and my part in it has made me appreciate the other mentors in the programme, why aren’t there more of them?
The Christchurch Community Driver Mentor Programme (CDMP) The Christchurch Community Driver Mentor Programme is hosted by The Salvation Army and sponsored by NZTA, Caltex, Gary Cockram Motors, and Proactive Drive Trust with support from the Christchurch Police. The programme matches up learner drivers, who don’t have access to a driving mentor, with experienced drivers who volunteer to supervise the learners driving “and help them become safer on our roads. All mentors receive training and support and we are fortunate to have three automatic Hyundai vehicles sponsored by Gary Cockram Motors and Proactive Drive Trust. One of the main reasons many inexperienced drivers are having accidents on our roads is they do not have enough hours supervised driving experience. This means they are more likely to make poor decisions - especially when it comes to risky situations. One way to help fix this is by increasing their driving hours on the road. However, some people do not have access to suitable vehicle or a driving mentor, often their barriers are huge. Mentors help a learner driver prepare for the restricted driving test and become a safer driver. On average each programme lasts approximately 12 weeks. There is a huge wrap around service provided to the mentor and learner driver. If you would like to become a mentor or find out more please contact: The Salvation Army Driver Programme Manager Keran 021709341 or email keran_tsering@nzf.salvationarmy.org Page 29
METHAMPHETAMINE Methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as ‘P’, Crystal Meth or Meth, is a Class A controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1978 meaning it attracts the highest penalties for manufacture, trafficking, sale and use.
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Methamphetamine is manufactured in New Zealand in clandestine (secret) drug laboratories, known as ‘clan labs’. ‘Clan labs’ can be found throughout New Zealand in houses, garages, outbuildings, apartments, baches and motor vehicles.
HOW IT HARMS THE INNOCENT Methamphetamine is a crystal that vaporises when heated, as in smoking. The vapour clings to surfaces and reforms into crystals. People who come in contact with these surfaces can ingest the meth through their skin or by touching contaminated surfaces then touching mouth, nose or eyes.
The meth testers – protecting kiwis and their property The growing use of methamphetamine has been well-documented in the New Zealand media, as has details on the toxic residuals that baking meth can leave behind in the surrounding environment. Meth Test Canterbury is a company specialising in the testing of property’s for methamphetamine contamination, providing a professional service to offer a client’s peace of mind with a risk management strategy primarily for the protection of health and property. The company was formed by former Police and licensed Private Investigators with extensive investigative backgrounds. Stage 1 - Initial testing A trained specialist will attend the property and in accordance with forensic sampling protocol will complete ‘an initial’ test to detect the presence of methamphetamine. Stage 2 - Quantitative Testing Quantitative (room by room) testing will be completed to determine the levels of contamination in individual areas, which will determine the extent of remedial work – if required. Page 30
Stage 3 – Post Decontamination Testing The property must be retested with the Quantitative sampling procedure at the completion of remediation to confirm that Methamphetamine levels are at a safe level for habitation under the NZ Standard 8510:2017. Who needs us? • Current and prospective tenants • Landlords • Property buyers • Property vendors • Boarding schools • University halls of residence & student accommodation buildings • Property management companies • Body corporates • Building managers • Motel/Hotel operators Call one of our specialists to discuss your needs on 0800 463 848, send us an email to admin@methtestcanterbury.nz, or visit www.methtestcanterbury.nz.
House For Sale
Deb Smalley
Recently after I collapsed on the couch following another long day in our large garden the Bloke suggested we sell our property. It came as a shock but we thrashed out the pros and cons while I slouched, drinking wine. As a result we are on the market currently, complete with land agent and open days. It is not a process for the faint hearted and I am not enjoying it! First there was the preparation, a long hard look at the place and what needed finishing, fixing and painting etc. The list was long and we worked very hard for several months to get it looking fabulous. Next came the staging as it is known it the trade. First you hide everything remotely personal in a cupboard, no off putting personal photographs allowed. Then you remove everything that is not currently featured in an expensive interior design magazine. This led me to buy among other things rabbit fur cushions which the Jack Russell investigated with great interest and then tried to eat. Lastly you eradicate any trace of human life with about 50 expensive candles and other flash room fragrances. This is said to make the property more attractive to buyers. Oh course it does, they are surrounded by a bloody life time supply of Ecoya candles valued at $40 each and the place smells like virgins and candyfloss or something similar. Every week I buy fresh flowers. I scrub, vacuum, polish and perfume my house so strangers can stalk about, inspecting and passing judgement. The agent says things like “You just need one person to love it” No kidding, well bring them around anytime you like - I’m waiting. But No, we get “it’s too far from town”, “ it’s too small” and “I just have to convince my husband” I swear I will not be surprised if the next time it is “There was no helicopter pad” I get stressed on the morning of open days. The bloke is not permitted to eat anything messy and preferably not in the house. He is not allowed to touch the towels in the bathrooms as they are clean and artfully arranged. I also really prefer him not to use the indoor toilets and I harass him about where he has left any dirty washing. Usually he just goes to work early because it is easier. I lock up the dogs, check one last time for crumbs or fingerprints and dog hair. Generously spray the house with the exotic and pricey air freshener. Bergamot, lime & heroin – it might as well be anyway, for the price. Then I remove myself so Page 31
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House For Sale
Deb Smalley
that people I will never meet can wander freely about my beloved home without undue attention or pressure. The lawns are mowed, gardens weed free and all traces of dog turd gone. I have baked a cake and laid the table with my best linen, china and glasses. Would it help if I had groomed the sheep I wonder? “Lots of people through today” says the agent brightly. “There’s an offer coming for sure. I’ll be in touch soon” He takes down his agency banner from the gate, climbs into his Range Rover and zooms off to his next open day. Why do I feel that my house is failing somehow because it has not sold yet? Have I done something wrong? You know what - time for a change of tack! I’ve decided to go away next weekend and the Bloke is in charge of cleaning and house presentation. Meanwhile I will be in charge of shopping and wine in Nelson. Maybe the boyish charm of socks flung in a corner, soggy towels and the aroma of steak pie and BO will win the buyers over. No idea but it’s worth a try because clearly my way is not working. Yes, I am sulking – a bit. It’s okay though because there is a B plan if the property doesn’t sell and it involves some super drastic simplification of our garden. In the future I may attack the garden with a digger, chain saw and flame thrower. I seriously think a bulldozer may also be required but that is a story for another day. Meantime wish me luck on the house sale
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Freemason’s Kind Donation Freemason’s generous donation to Riccarton Community Patron JF Pearson and IE Jonasen Eighty-four Totara Street, Riccarton is a building that many people have never ventured inside, yet I pass this imposing structure on a daily walk with the dog. The land for the Riccarton Masonic Centre was purchased in 1925 for the princely sum of £285 and the Lodge building as it was then known, was constructed and then dedicated in August 1929. Originally the home of Lodge Riccarton 276, it subsequently combined with Lodge Cashmere due to falling membership, and was renamed Unity Lodge 271. An entrance hall and vestibule area were designed and added in 1967 and membership grew to 87 by 1975 at the time of the Golden Jubilee, 50 years anniversary commemoration. Many men consider it an honour and status symbol to belong this organisation and members meet once each month at the Lodge.
Freemasonry was founded in England in 1717, and currently has a world-wide membership of six million members. Initially Masonry was very much a ‘closed shop’ for skilled crafts men, however membership broadened and it was no longer was thought of as a ‘trade’ organisation and it became a social order with a code for daily living. Military, political and theological dialogue was banned within their communications. Several misnomers exist about Freemasonry, therefore to clarify, it is not a secret society, religious order, convivial club or a reform society. Historically many famous men have been Masons, these include Winston Churchill, George Washington, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Rudyard Kipling, to mention just a few. The organisational members’ principal aims state: • • • •
Promote good citizenship with high moral and social standards Be encouraged to serve their own religion and community Render practical aid to the less fortunate Enjoy company and develop team spirit and friendship
Canterbury Masonic Charitable Trust was set up to satisfy its philanthropic aims and oversee the distribution of funds for worthy charities. Riccarton Community Patrol Inc. comprises of 45 voluntary patrollers, who act as ‘eyes and ears’ for the police within the Riccarton area. The Patrol made application for funding to Page 37
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Freemason’s Kind Donation provide extra security for the patrol members with the use of radio telephones whilst out patrolling in the vehicle. (We had previously approached Unity Lodge and obtained funds to assist the patrol with the purchase of a Portable Automatic Defibrillator.) The application was duly sent and approved, and three Committee Members attended the official handover of the handset in December. This was followed by a tasty meal and time to learn more about the Brothers, their regalia and their building.
Mobile digital radio telephone presentation: from the left, three Riccarton Community Patrol representatives: Ivan Jonasen - Trainer and Past Master of Lodge Riccarton 276, Joan Pearson -Treasurer, Dave Gillett - Chairman and Worshipful Master Brother Geoff Cain of Unity Lodge 271. Page 39
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Halswell Community Project Make the Community You Want to See! Each of us really can make a difference, and we do it most effectively when we join others to make that change.
Sports clubs shape our kids and our Saturdays, helping us all to see the value of teamwork, respect and play. A huge number of churches across the city provide support and activities for a wide range of different age and gender groups. We see people getting out there to help with the mother of all clean ups, or to plant and maintain plantings in local parks and around local waterways. Residents Associations keep an eye on Council activities and plans and provide comment on how those plans will affect their communities. Working in groups makes it easier to stay in the game, to develop a sound argument for changes, attracts the attention of the news media, and helps Page 41
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Halswell Community Project Councils and other authorities to know where to get feedback and gives them help to consult with people in the group. Without these groups it is actually harder for Council to see clear themes, needs and perspectives. Likewise, councillors need support from their communities to debate issues in the Council Chamber. It is very hard for them to defend nebulous causes that are hard for their colleagues to see. A recent example was the the Mother of All Clean-ups happened again this year and huge amounts of rubbish were removed from the Avon and Heathcote Rivers, making them a whole lot healthier and nicer places to be. This was the result of many local groups working together to make a whole lot happen on one day. Likewise, many of the things that are happening in our city are the result of a lot of work by communities for communities. Safer streets, better cycling facilities, the presence of green space, community hubs, plunket, playcentre, youth groups, zero waste initiatives are all things that benefit all of us and that only happen thanks to the people that volunteer their energy and passion. Communities change things in all sorts of different ways around our city and our local areas. We have a huge range of wonderful community groups in Christchurch and they need YOUR support. Get out there, and get involved in a community that interests you and see how you can help to make the community you want to see. Chrys Horn Halswell Community Project
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Crime Prevention (CPTED) Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design A very effective crime prevention strategy is the application of CPTED principles (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design). “CPTED is the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the form and incidence of crime and improvement in the quality of life”.
CPTED seeks to reduce opportunities for crime through the design and management of built and landscaped environments. Areas that are subject to constant graffiti vandalism can increase fear and disorder in the local community and distort perceptions about the actual level of crime and safety. The potential for graffiti to occur can be reduced by creating surfaces and modifying settings that interfere with offenders’ perception of a wall or space as an empty and inviting “blank canvas” waiting to be filled.
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• • • • • • • • •
Quick removal of any tags will deter taggers. The use of a climbing plant or tree planting will eliminate a blank wall. The use of rough cast materials will deter taggers. Paint your walls and fences – unpainted they act like magnets to taggers Dark colours can be a deterrent such as green or brown when painting a wall or fence, these cover in one coat, and are most effective. They may not be suitable for some surfaces. Plant shrubs or trees against walls and fences exposed to tagging. Or plant climbing shrubs or hedges. Species with prickles can be very effective. Style your fence so it isn’t a blank canvas. Unpainted fences can attract taggers, a sealant or anti graffiti seal may help. Don’t throw out any unused paint. Keep it in case you need to use it again. Keep a small pot of paint and a paint brush handy for quick touch-ups as needed. Define your boundary if you do not have a front gate, even a painted line may deter some taggers If hiring mini skips bins, insist on graffiti free ones Install security nightlights in graffiti prone areas. Lights with motion sensors are a popular choice Install video surveillance cameras. The possibility of being caught on film is a good deterrent Do an audit of your home or business. Can people jump onto anything to access your roof? Is there a dark corner that is poorly lit? Are there bins, bushes, or obstacles that provide visual shelter for taggers.
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Ashburton District Neighbourhood Support Belonging to a Neighbourhood Support Group is a great way to get to know your neighbours and enhance a feeling of community spirit and safety in the community. There are currently 385 Neighbourhood Support groups in the Ashburton District (including Methven, Rakaia and Hinds). Setting up or joining a Neighbourhood Support group is easy, free and the benefits are many.
What do Neighbourhood Support Groups do? • • • • • • • • • • •
Encourage neighbours to get to know each other Welcome new residents Help nurture a sense of community spirit Reduce social isolation Enhance the safety and appearance of neighbourhoods Notify each other of anything suspicious happening in the neighbourhood Enable communities to take responsibility for their own safety and wellbeing Be prepared for and support each other in times of civil emergency such as during an earthquake, flood, pandemic Have immediate access to neighbours phone numbers in an emergency Communicate with each other when going on holiday Share information that will help reduce the risk and fear of crime
I am available to come and talk with individuals or groups of neighbours about how to set up a Neighbourhood Support group and explain the benefits. I am also able to help you get your street/road group established. Contact: Christine Richards Co-ordinator Ashburton District Neighbourhood Support Telephone: (03) 307 8410 Text: 027 296 1006 Email: neighbourhood@saferashburton.org.nz Facebook: Neighbourhood Support Ashburton District Page 49
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Fendalton Friendship Club I am incredibly fortunate to be the President of a club. It is a club for older people. Its members are all quite extraordinary people. I only know a few things about each of them but I am quite sure that were I to know each one’s full story I would be blown away. The club started in 1982 and has met in each of 11 months of every year since. It started out as a Probus club for men. It now goes under the name of Fendalton Friendship Club and includes women equally. The name is but a minor touch. The main point is that these people with a rich and diverse background meet together for a couple of hours at a time and have an active focus on celebrating life, companionship, conviviality and camaraderie. What a fantastic wealth of knowledge, experience and accumulated wisdom! From so many different walks of life, indeed from several different parts of the world they have come. They have read widely, travelled widely, worked and studied hard and are now on the final bold and emphatic walk of their lives. Contrary to the widely held view that older people get less out of life and have less to give, these people have lots to give and are not giving up on living life to the full. Main meetings are held monthly at 10.00 am on the first Wednesday. We fit a lot into two hours but the atmosphere is relaxed, warm and friendly. There was a time when we felt under threat because we were not seeing younger women and men joining the club like they once did. But actually, that may be their loss not ours! Having said that, our doors are wide open and we will turn no-one away. It is a sad commentary on our society and general (western) societal attitudes that older people are so commonly discredited and devalued. Sad because it is without justification. Growing old does bring a number of issues that need to be dealt with. But the expression ‘growing old’ has become overloaded with surplus meaning and inuendo that is baseless and misleading baggage. Subtle and not so subtle, the messages are there to tell as how we ought to be as older people – limited in understanding and capacity. But in this club, we push back – helping each other to silence this ageist wave of alternative truth. We currently have 10 of our members, women and men, who have lived for 90 or more years. That’s quite extraordinary and represents not only an awesome array of experiences and achievements but an admirable strength of character and resistance to the ubiquitous and persistant suggestions that pervade the hullabaloo of modern communications with the wearisome, nagging message that if you are old, you are of diminishing worth, if not a burden on society. The Club meets in the rooms of the Fendalton Bowling Club. While most of our members come from nearby, some come from right across Christchurch- and even out into the country. Care to join us Ross Gurney (348 2845) Page 51
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Get A Life by Gavin Marriott Hi, my name is Gavin Marriott. I was born in Riccarton, the son of a policeman. I started out at Addington School, but with dad being transferred all around New Zealand, I got the travel bug – both here and overseas. 55 years later, by fluke, I returned back home to Riccarton. I can now see from my bedroom window the church I got baptised in and the Plunket rooms mum took me to. Now a decade later, I have just published my autobiography. It is called ‘Get A Life’ because that is what many constantly tell me. The book is dedicated to those, like me, who suffered bullying all their life. I suppose you may think this just a wee booklet. I had to edit it down from over 500 pages to 350. I now hand over to the journalist who wrote the back cover . . . Gavin starts off by calling himself “a nobody” and ponders “why any of us would want to read this book”. But this is one read you would not expect despite there being more to tell than he is allowed to put to print. Released on his 65th birthday, Gavin will take you on a whirlwind tour of New Zealand and the world with surprises, humorous episodes, sharing his hard life as a solo parent, heart felt family troubles, sadness, observations on society, events he has organised, touring with music stars, his life in the ambulance service here and London, disasters and tragedy, his own health scares, his relationship with Samoa, his Uncles in the war and he will surprise you on our real World War One history along with his poems. Gavin says he would like to leave a legacy. He surely does that. He does not need to GET a life – he has had one! I believe everyone has a story to tell and sadly we only ever hear a précis at your funeral. I am not having a funeral. In fact it has already been filmed in advance at St Ninians Church. So that was my inspiration for writing my book. It is not the first book I have written and won’t be the last. My goal now is to run workshops on showing others how they too can write about their life. Too many children do not know about their parents. I thank the University of Canterbury (which was a paddock when I was running around Riccarton Road in nappies) for printing the book. If you want to read it, contact me. Gavin Marriott JP Riccarton Page 53
The Dreaded Blow Fly I squirted a buzzing blow-fly; I didn’t know it would defy The strength of the puff, Which was not quite enough, Nor number of days ere ’twould die. It lay on its back laissez-faire, With legs wiggling, jiggling, each pair; It made me think through, Did I need this cruel view? I won’t again do it, I swear. Dear blow-fly, I see now you’re still; But curses, on my window sill, One more of your kind, Puts me in the same bind, That stretches resolve and goodwill. I’ll leave it to you, my dear viewer, To guess what I’ll do as a doer; It is a dilemma, Near the can my hands tremor; Should I make fly numbers one fewer? 2018 © Robert Tait
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3 Elderly Golfers Three elderly golfers are walking down the green. ”Sixty is the worst age to be,” says the 60-year-old, “You always feel like you have to pee. And most of the time nothing happens.” ”Ah, that’s nothing,” says the 70-year-old. “When you’re 70, you don’t have a bowel movement any more. You take laxatives, eat bran, you sit on the lavatory all day and nothing happens.” ”Actually,” says the 80-year-old, “Eighty is the worst age of all.” ”Do you have trouble peeing too?” asks the 60-year-old.” “No, I pee every morning at 6.00 am. I pee like a racehorse .... no problem at all.” ”Do you have trouble having a bowel movement?” ”No, I have one every morning at 6.30 am.” Puzzled by this, the 60-yar-old says, “Let’s get this straight. You pee every morning at 6.00 am and poop every morning at 630 am. So what’s so tough about being 80?” “I don’t wake up until seven.”
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It’s not oK InfoRMAt nfoRMA Ion lIne 0800 456 450 nfoRMAt woMen’s Refuge 0800 REFUGE RelAt A IonsHIP seRVICes 0800 725 283 At Page 56
Police 111 shakti 0800 742 584 YoUthliNe 0800 376 633
How Safe Is Your Home? Complete this survey Reduce your risk of being burgled Doors and Windows 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Are all locks to outside doors either dead locks or strong bolt locks? Can door locks be opened by breaking a window and reaching through? Can internal doors be locked? Are all locks in good working order? Do you lock the internal door from your garage? Can you account for all copies of keys to your home? Are window locks properly and securely mounted? Do you keep your windows locked when they are shut? Do you use locks that allow windows to be secured partly open?
10 11 12 13
Do Do Do Do
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Do you notify neighbours when you go on holiday? Do your neighbours collect mail and circulars when you are on holiday? Do you stop deliveries of newspaper when on holiday? Do you have shades up and lights on when on holiday? Do you use timers on lights & radios to make it look like you are home? Do you arrange to keep lawns and gardens in shape? Are you a member of a neighbourhood support group?
Garage you you you you
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
lock your garage door at night? lock you garage when you are away from home? have good secure locks on the garage doors an windows? lock your car when it is parked in the garage?
Holiday
Environment
21 Do you have sensor lights around your house? 22 Are shrubs and bushes well trimmed near your house and borders?
Safe Practices
23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Yes
Have you recorded all serial numbers and stored them away from home? Have you uniquely marked valuable items (etch or invisible)? Do you have a description of valuable property? Have you displayed a sign that items are marked for identification? Do you have an alarm? Have you displayed a sign stating that your house is alarmed? Do you report suspicious activity or people to Police immediately? Do you know not to disturb anything if you are burgled, just to call Police?
Every "NO" shows a weak point and may help the burglar. Every "YES" improves your protection. Page 57
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Contact Information Neighbourhood Support Canterbury Canterbury Office Phone: 03 420 9944 Barbara Brothers (Office Administrator) Email: admin@canterburyns.net
Postal Address: C/- PO Box 16794, Hornby.8441
Elissa Smith (Junior Neighbourhood Support Co-ordinator) Email: jns@canterburyns.net Dave Wilkinson (Manager) Email: manager@canterburyns.net
Websites: www.nscanterbury.nz This website for general information about Neighbourhood Support Canterbury. www.christchurch.getsready.net This website to register or amend your Group’s information. Both websites are linked.
Ashburton District Christine Richards c/- Ashburton Police Station P O Box 34 Ashburton 7740 Phone: 03 307 8410 Email: neighbourhood@saferashburton.org.nz
North Canterbury Tracy Doe Neighbourhood Support North Canterbury PO Box 5, Rangiora Telephone: 027 383 0166 Email: ncns@outlook.com www.northcanterbury.getsready.net Page 63
Neighbourhood Support Canterbury
Hint for Co-ordinators – put your name last on the list, that way it should come back to you when it has done the rounds of the group. Page 64
Neighbours helping neighbours Creating Safer Communities
Growing Great Neighbourhoods
PTO
Organization
Neighbours Neighbours helping helping neighbours neighbours Creating Creating Safer Safer Communities Communities
Growing Growing Great Great Neighbourhoods Neighbourhoods
PTO PTO
Organization Organization
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Return to P O Box 16 794 Christchurch C/- Hornby Police Station, Christchurch I am interested in joining my local Neighbourhood Support Group Name Address Suburb/City
Post code
PTO Skills?? - ie First Aid etc.
Phone home………………………………………….Mobile………………………………..…Work………………………...
www.nscanterbury.org.nz
03 420 9944
www.christchurch.getsready.net
Return to P O Box 16 794 Christchurch C/- Hornby Police Station, Christchurch I am interested in joining my local Neighbourhood Support Group Name Address Suburb/City
Post code
PTO Skills?? - ie First Aid etc.
Phone home………………………………………….Mobile………………………………..…Work………………………...
www.nscanterbury.org.nz
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03 420 9944
www.christchurch.getsready.net
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The good life tastes great!
Local Faringdon kid, Ethan Hunt loves tucking into the tasty treats on offer at South Point!
You’ve got a family friendly bar/restaurant, authentic Indian cuisine and traditional Fish ’n Chips just down the road! Add to that list the extensive infrastructure and you soon see why Faringdon is unmatched for quality and convenience. Pop out for a visit and get a taste for how you could be living!
Stages 25 and 26 available now. Sections between 400 and 887m2, prices starting at $167,000 and titles available right now. Call Bruce Harvey on 0800 667 849 or go to www.faringdon.co.nz Visit our info centre, corner Goulds and East Maddisons Roads, Rolleston. Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm. Page 68
You’re home.