Nau mae haere mai from the rangers at Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust

On 4 March we celebrated our open day for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.

We held our event in collaboration with Seaweek hosted by the Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre (MERC). Seaweek highlights the importance of sustainable seas for future generations and the theme for this year was healthy seas –healthy people.

Even though the weather looked grey, and rain was on the forecast, families gathered on the domain to enjoy the classic kiwi sausage sizzle while listening to Charlie Williams who set the atmosphere with some live music. Tamariki enjoyed jumping on the under the sea themed bouncy castle and having their faces painted with different sea creatures.

Fire Emergency NZ (FENZ), Ashley

Rakahuri Rivercare Group, Styx Living Laboratory Trust, and Waimakariri District Council joined us with their own interactive educational stalls (Photo 1).

FENZ brought along different native tree species and highlighted the importance of planting natives and their higher level of fire resistance compared to introduced species. This was extremely relevant considering the wildfire that happened at the park last year.

Other educational stalls included information on trapping and pests, native wildlife, conservation and river projects. Our stall included a display with kōwaro caught from one of our biota nodes and information about our biota node project (Photo 2).

Other activities included planting native trees, and a guided walk through the transect to learn about the unique history of Tūtaepatu Lagoon and the surrounding area. It was a fantastic day to unite and celebrate nature, our community and conservation. We would like to say a big thank you to the organisations who joined us, supported us and to the community for attending. Ngā mihi nui ki a koe.

Last Sunday the Waimakariri Sailing Club joined us for a volunteer planting day. We were happy to see hundreds of plants going in the ground. Next time you are out walking, running, or biking the trails keep a lookout for these diverse assemblages of native trees which can be found along the track at Pines Beach wetland (Photo 3).

What’s on:

Walking Festival – Tuhaitara Art Hike

19 April, 10am – Noon.

Join our rangers to creatively explore Tūhaitara Coastal Park and create a keepsake from our pā harakeke.

Bookings required: Phone or text

03 313 1768.

For more information on the Walking Festival please visit Christchurch City Council at ccc.govt.nz

Facebook: Friends of Tūhaitara Coastal Park

Instagram: tuhaitara_coastal_park

Expressions of interest !

Are you interested in helping organise a community Christmas dinner in Rangiora for Christmas Day 2023? If you would like to be involved in planning and organising this day we would love to hear from you – contact Grant Harris on grant.harris148@gmail.com or phone 021 534 683.

St John Health Shuttle service is available to your community to provide transport for health-related appointments in Christchurch.

Medical appointments need to be made after 10am and be completed by 3pm. Bookings are required 24 hours prior to transport.

For more information or to make a booking please call St John: 0800 103 046. This service is run by volunteers. We accept donations for Health Shuttle transport to help cover costs as we do not charge a fee. The service operates Monday to Friday, with stops at:

• Amberley

• Leithfield

• Pegasus Town

• Woodend

• Rangiora

• Kaiapoi

Youthline 0800 376 633, free text 234, email: talk@youthline.co.nz or webchat at youthline.co.nz (webchat available 7pm – 11pm) - for young people and their parents, whānau and friends.

Zero Data is available to anyone using a mobile device connected to the Spark, Skinny, Vodafone, 2degrees, Slingshot or Orcon mobile networks. The purpose of Zero Data is to ensure all New Zealanders can access essential information and digital services.

If your mobile device is connected to a participating network, none of the mobile data you use when you visit websites through Zero Data will count against your data cap or incur any charges. All data usage will be charged back to the government agencies that sponsor the websites you visit.

All you need to do is make sure your mobile data is turned on before you visit Zero Data. You’ll know you’re on Zero Data when you see a yellow ribbon across the top of the website.

Zero Data brings all New Zealand’s sponsored websites together in one place and makes it easy for you to know exactly when you’re using Zero Data. The range of information and services available through the homepage will increase over time as more government agencies get involved.

Zero Data is available only for people using a mobile device connected to a participating mobile network and isn’t available for any device using a broadband/fibre connection. This might apply, for example, if your mobile device is connected to your home internet via Wi-Fi. Some website content such as online payment systems may be unavailable through Zero Data due to technical limitations. You’ll receive an error message if you try to access non-sponsored content or if you follow a link to a non-sponsored website.

If you need to access non-sponsored content or websites from your mobile device without using any of your data, you may be able to access a free internet connection at your local library, educational institution or marae, or at a business that offers free Wi-Fi to its customers.

Go to: Zero.govt.nz

What’s Happening in North Canterbury

April and May 2023

Please contact us on 0800 226 695 to register or find out more about the activities listed.

Therapeutic Art Group

Every Monday 10am–12pm

This weekly group is facilitated by Lynette. Held at Kaiapoi Baptist Church, 67 Fuller Street, Kaiapoi. Park on site. The rooms are located at the end of the drive. All patients and their carers welcome. Catering from absolute beginners to advanced art and craft skill.

• Guest artists sharing their expertise (cost for materials on these occasions) – March

• Sandie (paper flowers) – April

• Folk art with Chris – May.

Rangiora Walking and Coffee Group

Every Tuesday 9.30am

Facilitated by Glenda and Chris the group meets every Tuesday. Open to all patients and carers. Meet outside The Warehouse at 9.30am for a walk around Northbrook Waters and then to Station Cafe at 10.30am for coffee.

Oxford Support Group

Third Wednesday of the month at 10am. Next meeting 19 April. At Café 51, Main Street, Oxford. Facilitated by Ans from the Oxford Cancer Society Volunteer Support Group. All patients and carers most welcome.

Cheviot Support Group

For patients and carers starting in April. If you would like to know more, please contact the centre.

Kaikōura Women’s Cancer Support Group

Facilitated by Belinda (Blou) Rickerby, Community Support Group Worker, Kaikōura Health Centre. This new group is meeting weekly 10.30am on a Tuesday. Please contact Blou on 027 562 0811 to register.

Support and information sessions

No meeting for April (Due to Relay for Life planning)

Upcoming

• Medical cannabis (May)

• Exercise options to live well with cancer

• Death Café.

Canmove exercise programme

We are excited to be trialling a five-week education and gentle exercise programme developed by the Cancer Society and YWCA (Wellington) for patients and support people who would like to learn more about living well with cancer. This weekly programme starts 1pm on Monday 24 April at the North Canterbury Sport and Recreation Trust. If you have not already registered, please do so on 0800 226 695.

Cancer Society men’s get together

Please contact us to find out about our next event.

Gynaecological Cancer Peer Support Group

10 April (yes, Easter Monday), 6.30pm. Meets every second Monday of the Month. A warm invitation is extended to people with ovarian, cervical, vulva, uterine and vaginal cancers to meet and gain support from others with gynaecological cancers. Contact Catherine 022 046 5070 or the Cancer Society NC 0800 226 695. Held at 143 Percival St, Rangiora.

New support group

Life after Cancer support group

Facilitated by Kylie Tolman. Following the success of the Life after Cancer - the “new normal” last year, Kylie (cancer survivor) is now offering a regular support for those who have completed treatment and are seeking support and ideas to adjust to their new life. The first meeting will be 6.30pm Thursday 4 May at the 143 Percival St, Rangiora.

Cancer Society Rural Clinics

For all cancer patients and carers to find out about treatment related support and rehabilitation. Held monthly (or thereabouts) at medical centres in Waikari, Amuri, Oxford (@ hospital), Kaikōura, Hanmer. Please contact us to make an appointment. Home visits and appointments available at the office in Rangiora.

Cancer Society online video resources

Coping with Cancer, where you’ll find an excellent range of information and support here: cancer.org.nz/supporting-you/howwe-can-help/coping-with-cancer-videos/

Other resources and support…

Look Good Feel Better workshops

For women at CS Rangiora, Saturday 27 May 10am-12.30pm. To enrol online go to: lgfb.co.nz/class-schedule/ The Rangiora workshops are listed under Christchurch with our address, 143 Percival Street, Rangiora in the details. There are also workshops online for men. Please register at: lgfb.co.nz/programmes/for-men/

Blue Bros exercise classes

For Men at 8.15am on Mondays, Mainpower Stadium, Coldstream Road, Rangiora. Facilitated by Mischa, this committed group extends a warm welcome to new patients. Contact Dave on 027 202 7525 to register. Note, also now offering classes in Amberley and Oxford.

Prostate Foundation support group

Monthly meeting in Rangiora (second Tuesday of the month). Contact Dean and Lois on 021 0224 6078 or email rangiora@prostate.org.nz

Sweet Louise

Support for those with advanced breast cancer. Contact 027 328 8003 sweetlouise.co.nz and Facebook.

Lymphoedema education sessions

(Also via Zoom). Held at 11am-12.30pm every second Tuesday of the month in the Chapel, Burwood Hospital. Enter via Gate 3, Mairehau Road. Learn skills for the self-management of lymphoedema. To book phone 03 383 6833 or email physiobd@cdhb.health.nz to register for the group or attend by Zoom.

Ostomy NZ support

Meet alternative months in Rangiora (first Tuesday, Artisan Café) and Christchurch (first Wednesday, Kidd’s Cakes, Cranford Street). Next meeting in Rangiora 10am, Tuesday 4 April. Contact Brent on 03 313 5744, Diane on 027 416 4185 or email: ostomycanterbury@gmail.com for education and support for patients and families.

Kaikoura Blue Bros

Exercise classes for Men in Kaikōura, Wednesdays at 10am. Please call Belinda Rickerby 027 562 0811 to register. Join this community class to maintain your strength, flexibility, fitness and enjoy the camaraderie of others. Currently meeting for coffee.

Leukaemia and Blood Cancer NZ

0800 15 10 15, 20 Cashel Street, Christchurch. For more information on services check out: leukaemia.org.nz

Pinc & Steel

Cancer Rehabilitation with a certified Cancer Rehabilitation Physiotherapist is available through Active Health offering group and individual sessions. Read more and/or register your interest at pincandsteel.com/programs/register/ or contact susan@activehealth.co.nz

For families:

April holiday programme

Here is a heads up on plans for the next holiday activities. This is for children, parents and caregivers.

Art session

Monday 17 April 10am–12pm, in Kaiapoi.

Beading workshop for families

• (School holidays) at the office in Rangiora on Friday 21 April from 1pm-3pm.

• Kaikoura on Wednesday 5 July at 1pm (online).

Canteen

Support for teenagers with their own cancer experience or a parent or sibling with cancer. Office at 23 Cambridge Terracece, Christchurch. See canteen.org.nz/ for more information.

Bulbs of Hope

We are selling quality Daffodil and Tulip bulbs again this season. Brighten up your garden with gorgeous bulbs from Hadstock Farm and support the Cancer Society.

Mixed bulbs available:

• 10 x Daffodils $11

• 10 x Tulips $13

• 100 x Daffodils $100

• 100 x Tulips $115.

Contact Tiff on tiffany.wafer@cancercwc.org.nz or 021 139 4909 to preorder your bulbs today. Bulbs will be available for pick up in April.

Relay for Life North Canterbury

On behalf of the Relay for Life North Canterbury 2023 Organising Committee, we would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who was involved. Your passion, enthusiasm, commitment, colour, fun, laughter and tears all make Relay the truly memorable event that it is.

All profits raised from Relay North Canty go to supporting cancer patients and their whānau in our local communities.

We will have a final tally for you in the May edition of Chatter, however you can go to relayforlife.org.nz/northcanterbury for the current amount raised.

We’re here

Free call or text 1737 any time, 24 hours a day. You’ll get to talk to (or text with) a trained counsellor. Our service is completely free.

Are you feeling anxious or just need someone to talk to? Call or text 1737. Are you feeling down or a bit overwhelmed? Call or text 1737.

Whatever it is, we’re here. Free call or text 1737 anytime.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Big Brothers Big Sisters youth mentoring programme and thanks to a generous grant from the Christchurch Casino Charitable Community Trust, a special event was organised to celebrate and acknowledge their contribution to the North Canterbury community!

Hosted by Five Stags Rangiora, volunteers enjoyed a delicious meal and shared stories of their mentoring journey. An inspiring talk from Matt Button of the national New Zealand office followed, and all mentors were gifted one of the charity’s brand new t-shirts. Big Brothers Big Sisters invite YOU to join their incredible volunteer team! Find out more;

Volunteering for CAB

A heads-up that we’ll be advertising for volunteers towards the end of April/ beginning of May. Training will commence in late May and continue throughout June. We’re looking for people who are good listeners, non-judgmental, willing to learn and keep learning, and confident using a computer. We can promise an expansion of your knowledge, a great deal of satisfaction in helping and empowering a client, and a bunch of really nice people to work alongside. If you’d like to apply, please get in touch with us for an application form.

All trainees are fully supported with initial and ongoing learning, plus a mentoring programme as you come up to speed with the challenges and pleasures of being a CAB volunteer.

Our Clinics

We hold fortnightly clinics that cover legal assistance, employment, budgeting and immigration queries. The employment and budgeting clinics are drop-in, however the legal assistance and immigration clinics are by appointment only. In addition, we have volunteers who are also Justices of the Peace and they offer that service when they’re on duty. Please get in touch for dates and more information about the clinics and JPs.

Extra support even if you’ve already done some research

Even if you’ve already done some research, we’re happy to discuss options with you and perhaps find even more information to support you. It can be very helpful to talk things over before taking action, whether that’s what to say when you visit a retailer about a faulty product, how to approach your gas/phone/power provider about a query on your bill, how to talk to your employer about an issue in the workplace, family relationships or noisy neighbours.

Our Service

Do come and see us. We’re trained to listen and to research. We’ll deal with anything that’s concerning you no matter how big or how small. We’re here to help.

You can find us at 209 High Street, Rangiora, or you can phone us on 03 313 8822 or 0800 367 222, or send us an email northcanterbury@cab.org.nz, plus we’re on Facebook and Neighbourly. We’re open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

War Memorial Hall

1 Albert Street, Rangiora 7400

PO Box 351, Rangiora 7440

Office Phone: 03 313 3505 servicemanager@bsnc.org.nz www.bsnc.org.nz

Everyone would like to pay their mortgage off sooner – So how can you do it?

Benefit Entitlements – Talk to a Financial Mentor Today

Here in New Zealand our Ministry of Social Development, through their Work and Income offices, are able to provide a range of support services, including financial assistance, to support a wide range of needs.

Take this example:

The types of things they can help with are:

Start date – 20 March 2023

• $360,000 mortgage over 30 years @ 4.5% per annum.

Small steps help produce big RESULTS!

• If you’re not working, have lost your job and/or need help to get a job.

• If you have urgent or unexpected bills, or maybe a family emergency.

• You need help with your living expenses.

• Monthly repayments are $1,824.

• A range of services for Seniors.

• Which means over the term of the entire loan, repayments would total $656,664.

• A range of services for Youth (16 to 19 year olds).

• Support with health and disability issues.

• Help for those caring for others.

• Help and support for those raising children.

If you’d like to find out if you can make other savings, then our Financial Mentors can show you how small changes to your spending pattern could have a significant impact on your future financial stability. Phone or email us to talk about your situation: 03 315 3505 or email: servicemanager@bsnc.org.nz

• Help for those who’ve had a change in relationship status and need extra support.

• Other benefits and entitlements.

• This includes interest of $296,664. However, if you increased your monthly repayments to $2,000 per month (that’s about $41 per week), your total savings over the term of the loan would be $56,478.

We’re on Facebook and bsnc.org.nz

Our office is in the War Memorial Hall building, 1 Albert Street, Rangiora.

The Work and Income website offers a lot of information on how to access help, including what support you can receive, as well as all the forms you might need to fillin.

AND it would be paid off 4 years sooner!

https://workandincome.govt.nz/eligibility/index.html sorted.org.nz/tools/mortgage-calculator

To create your own personal plan, go to the SORTED website. There are a number of useful “tools” available.

However, you might be finding the website difficult to navigate, or you’re not sure if you are able to access support at all. You can talk to the great people at Work and Income, and they are only too happy to help.

Another really useful website is MoneyHub. moneyhub.co.nz/mortgage-repaymentcalculator.html

However, if you want to talk to a Financial Mentor first (it’s free and confidential), we can discuss your particular situation and support you with your conversations with Work and Income.

In some cases we can even accompany you to Work and Income appointments. Or we can work with you on-line using your own MyMSD Log-in to help you navigate the large amount of information available, and help with filling-in forms.

Give it a go. You might be surprised at how easy it is to make meaningful changes to your spending each month.

Our Financial Mentors are friendly, knowledgeable and more than happy to help.

They understand the Work and Income system – and what they don’t know they will certainly find out for you.

So, if you’d like some support to find out what benefits or extra support you can access, contact us to talk to a Financial Mentor today.