Podcasts about Port Hills

The next few months we'll be “in the dark” so to speak – the shortest days of the year puts us in front of the Low Emissions Burner, keeping warm while reading gardening magazines. What kinds of plants give us colour at this time? Go and visit your local Botanic Garden and take a note book with you – I often look at the stuff that Julie plants at our place. Tree Dahlia are huge plants that can grow up to 4 or 5 meters tall. They are true Dahlias, just a bit taller than your ordinary varieties. Their contrast with blue autumn and winter skies is remarkable. Easy to grow and easy to prune after flowering. They simply grow another lot of branches next autumn! Nerines are currently spectacular. Bright pink flowers delivered by a bulbous plant. Seeing we're in rather frost-free part of the Port Hills, they keep on flowering. They belong to the Amaryllidaceae (bulbs) and don't care about soil quality as long as it isn't too wet. Easy to transplant. Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage). Works well in full sun with well-drained soil and flowers up to a meter high even at this time of the year, visited by hordes of pollinators – especially Bumblebee Queens. Smoke Bush (Cotinus species) is an oldy but a goody. Many different varieties and colours, especially in the purple range (Royal Purple, “Grace” etc) but also in lime green or red. Flowers look like smoky patches, but right now smoke bush is a variable painting of artistic colours. Liquidambar leaves light up the lawn. Those autumn leaves can come in a wide variety of colours, creating patches of oranges, yellows, and purple. Leave them where they are! Birds will attempt to find food under those leaves (worms and hibernating insects) and when those leaves have slowly decayed, you can put them in the compost bin: free Nitrogen. We have a Eucalyptus tree that flowers profusely right now. No idea what species it is but the Tui and Bellbird, silver eye and bumblebees, winter moths and nectivorous flies, as well as huge Gum Emperor moths (in summer) love this tree for all its gorgeousness. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John MacDonald was joined by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger for a chat about the biggest issues concerning residents. Christchurch City Councillors have adopted their Draft Annual Plan. It now proposes a 7.58% overall rates increase, down from the originally-drafted 8.93%. They achieved this not by cost cutting, as well as paying off less debt, resulting in next year's rates increasing significantly. Is the Mayor doing the right thing, or is he just thinking of the next election? Does he support the proposed ‘user-pays' water system being introduced for ratepayers? And Mauger reflects on the response to the second big Port Hills fire now twelve months on from blaze. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an on-going stand-off over land use on Christchurch's Port Hills, a year on from the damaging blaze that forced more than 100 people from their properties and destroyed a container home.The council isn't chasing changes to forestry rules and said it can't control what people do on their own land. Keiller MacDuff reports.

Fire investgators said last summer's huge fire on Christchurch's Port Hills started on private property but they've been unable to determine how it broke out. The wildfire started near the a walking track back in February and spread over 700 hectares, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 properties.The blaze triggered a major firefighting operation including more than 100 firefighters, 15 helicopters, two fixed-wing aircrafts and almost 30 fire engines. Local residents who nearly lost their homes in the blaze remain wary of further fires in the area, reporter Adam Burns has more.

Christchurch's Port Hill residents are disappointed Fire and Emergency can't say what started the February 14 fires. Delphine Herbert reports.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 24 September, Police Minister Mark Mitchell stepped up to explain why Commissioner Andrew Coster is the perfect fit to lead the new Social Investment Agency. Heart of the City boss Viv Beck explained why Auckland Council needs to follow Wellington and require the council staff to come back and work in their offices to bring some life back to the CBD. A new report has come out identifying where the Port Hills fire started - but FENZ's Dave Stackhouse says the cause is still unknown. Plus, the Huddle unpacks the latest development in the Darleen Tana saga - and debates how this makes the rest of the Green Party look. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new report into Port Hills fire has located the private property where the fire originated - but the cause remains undetermined. The fire started on February 14 and spread over 700ha, forcing the evacuation of more than 100 properties. FENZ District Commander Dave Stackhouse says the owner of the property in question has been ruled out as a suspect. "We interviewed the property owner three times and he was co-operative throughout the investigation."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most people have probably never heard of “Collembola”, but I reckon they are the most important critter on the planet as their “job” is often simply recycling.  Your garden wouldn't stand a chance without them, and nor does our planet. The circular economy starts with Collembola and ends with “Zero Waste”.  A large number feed on bacteria, fungi, and rotting plant materials; some go for living plants (and can be a pest on some crops). Others devour algae and some even prey on insects.  Collembola are no longer considered to be “insects” although they still belong to the group of “hexapods” (six-legged creatures).  Oh, by the way, the name of this group (Collembola) comes from two features: “Colla” which means glue, and “embolon” which is a “peg”, or a “piston” (referring to a structure on the underside of the body).  At last count there are some 6000 species on our planet, but what do we know? There could be as many as 40,000 taxa!  If you climb a tree in New Zealand, you are like to find them near the top where branches emerge from the main trunk, it's usually full of decaying old plant materials; great habitat for our Collembola!  When examining the contents of your compost bin it quickly becomes clear they are the most numerous invertebrates.  Collembola working on a juicy stalk of rhubarb  You may think they are quite boring in their appearance, and indeed a lot of them are tiny (a few millimetres in size) and just one low-key colour. But some are quite attractive: Holacantella is endemic to New Zealand and is often on dead timber and bark, especially in wet conditions.  And look at that weird body armour – or are they different species?  For some reason our Collembola love living in moist (and warm) environments. But then again, some species are restricted to cooler climates (think Antarctica! Minus 60 degrees is just not too cold for them).  The craziest thing you can see at this time of the year is a rather elegant deep blue species that seems to enjoy a spot of “rafting” or “drifting” in slow-moving water courses. Every year I see them, here on the Port Hills of Canterbury. After all these years I have not been able to identify these species with certainty.  They swim in puddles, and jump around in sheep troughs.   Those pistons (or “pegs”) I described from the word ‘embolon' are literally the tools that make the jumping (and dispersal) possible, even in water.  No wonder that their common name in horticulture, agriculture and garden nomenclature is... SPRING TAILS    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A resident of Christchurch's Port Hills wants councillors to keep pushing for rule changes so they can stop pine trees being replanted in the fire-prone area. Anna Sargent reports.

A series of dams to capture stormwater as it runs off the Port Hills are being constructed on farmland near Christchurch. It's the brainchild of Brent and Shirley Rawstron from Rossendale Wines, who are working with the Christchurch City Council to prevent flooding Early Valley.

Ever since moving to Christchurch I have been trapping pests: stoats and possums, rats and mice. Think Predator-Free New Zealand!  Mice are quite common here on the Port Hills; rather rural with heaps of herbage, seeds, and grasses, plus good seed crops in the gardens.  Mice are an important food source for rats and stoats. They also eat heaps of Native New Zealand Invertebrates (caterpillars, beetles, weevils).  In summer the mice have a great time, breeding like mice.  In autumn the wusses get a bit cold and look for shelter in people's homes and ceilings as well garages.  I have about 10 mouse traps employed and they're going off regularly. Big populations at the moment, be warned!  A few weeks ago, I attended a lecture by Pete McClelland, one of New Zealand's unsung heroes when it comes to pest eradication. Pete has been managing huge projects on Subantarctic Islands and Tropical islands for many years.  Fascinating stuff and very much one of the inspirational tools to create a Predator-Free Aotearoa.  Of course, he was always dealing with the famous exotic pests that somehow gained entrance to an ecosystem that never had those pests before. From Donkeys to Deer and from Ferrets to Rodents, Feral Cats to Foxes and Rats to Mice.  Mice are often seen as the small (almost cute) creature that is probably the least impactful pest on the world list.  Many people would be surprised to learn that these ubiquitous mice (Mus musculus) are a complete pain on many isolated islands in Hawaii (Midway atoll), Gough Island (in the south Atlantic), Marion Island (in the Southern part of the Indian Ocean), to name just a few important Nature reserves with Albatrosses and other ornithological gems.  The mice on these islands have climbed up the ladder of the ecosystem so cleverly that they can attack huge albatrosses at night (while they are incubating their eggs). They do this by chewing open the tops of the birds' heads, eating the brains and simply keep on extending the damage, which ultimately becomes fatal for those birds.  Should you wish to see the horrific pictures of these massacres, caused by, simply google the names of these islands and the words “mice”  Summing up:  Not uncommon on islands, those adaptable mice, causing ecological damage, and oh yes, New Zealand is an island too, remember!  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1954 Christchurch woman Honorah Parker was murdered while on a walk in the Port Hills.  The culprits? Her daughter Pauline, 15 and best friend Juliet Hulme, 16.  With “animal ferocity” they hit her over and over again with a brick inside a stocking. Police would later say the 46-year-old had been “battered to pieces”. After a controversial trial, the teens were found guilty of murder - a jury rejecting their claims of insanity. In this episode of A Moment In Crime host Anna Leask looks back at the crime, the trial, the aftermath and speaks exclusively to Juliet Hulme's brother about why he wants the convictions amended to reflect his sister's lifetime of insanity.  This episode is accompanied by a full feature about the case - click here to read the story. This episode references Canterbury crime author Peter Graham's book about the case, So Brilliantly Clever, the documentary Anne Perry Interiors which is available to rent or buy in New Zealand on AppleTV and author Ian Rankin's documentary Evil Thoughts, which aired in 2002 and can be found in part on YouTube.  A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Anna Leask, senior crime and justice journalist for the New Zealand Herald.  It is produced by Leask, NZME audio engineer James Irwin and podcast production manager Ethan Stills. South Island head of news Kurt Bayer oversaw this project, the voice of Pauline Parker's diary was provided by NewstalkZB reporter Emily Ansell and some of the audio recording was undertaken by NZME video journalist George Heard. Special thanks to Jonathan Hulme, Nigel Hampton KC and Professor Warren Brookbanks for their insight and in put into this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another scary night for Canterbury residents who had to flee their homes as fire tore through the Waikari Valley. Flames ripped through 300 hectares of land overnight, threatening homes and property, and sending flames flaring high into the night. With the fire now declared "contained", residents have been allowed to return to their homes as firefighters shift their focus to dampening down hotspots. Residents but one have also returned to their homes in Christchurch's Port Hills, where another major fire is still burning, five days since it began. Niva Chittock reports. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6347180572112

Firefighters are still wrestling with two major bushfires in Canterbury. Fire and Emergency says about ninety firefighters are still working to extinguish a fire on Port Hills in Christchurch. And about fifty more are working to keep a scrub fire contained in the Waikari Valley near Waipara. Residents were allowed to go home last night but Civil Defence says the fire will keep burning for some time. Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A Port Hills resident who suffered fire damage to his home seven years ago says plantation forestry is becoming too dangerous in the area. Firefighters continue to toil round-the-clock in an effort to snuff out the massive blaze which began nearly five days ago. Although the impact of this event hasn't quite been as severe as the wildfires of seven years ago, it has sparked questions about the Port Hills land use and its future. Adam Burns reports.

Nor-westerly winds are expected in Canterbury today as firefighters work frantically to put out fires across the region. As we've been reporting this morning, a large fire is now burning in Waikari Valley, North Canterbury - forcing evacuations. Crews have also been working throughout the night at the Port Hills trying to eliminate hotspots, as that wildfire continues into a sixth day. Metservice forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane spoke to Corin Dann.

Properties near Waipara, in North Canterbury were evacuated overnight due to a large fire. An evacuation centre was set up at the Waipara Hall. Fifteen crews, alongside a bulldozer, fought the fire, moving through difficult terrain. Evacuations included residents on Waikari Valley Road and Glenmark Drive. The fire is putting more pressure on the region's already stretched resources, hard on the heels of Port Hills blaze. Fire and Emergency incident controller Steve Kennedy spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The majority of Port Hills residents will be able to sleep in their own beds tonight, on the condition they prepare to evacuate at short notice. Fire officers will remain on the ground over the weekend, 70 percent of the 650-hectare blaze is now contained. Three properties remain in a cordoned off black zone, all other residents have been allowed controlled access but need to remain vigilant for flare ups.. Samantha Gee and Nate McKinnon have been at the scene. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6346981541112

Port Hills Fire update with RNZ reporter Tim Brown.

Firefighters are continuing to battle a blaze across Christchurch's Port Hills, that FENZ says is likely to take days to extinguish. It's now stretching over 650 hectares of land. Evacuated residents still don't know when they will be able to return home. Samantha Gee and Angus Dreaver have been at the scene [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6346910570112

Fire and Emergency says it's in for the long haul as 27 fire trucks and 14 helicopters continue to battle a massive fire in the Port Hills. Two fixed wing aircraft are dropping retardent in a desperate bid to curb the 650 hectare blaze. The fire has now breached the city's Adventure Park but no houses are under threat and no structures have been lost. 80 properties have been evacuated from Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Hoon Hay Valley and Kennedy Bush. Two evacuation centres have been set up at the Te Hapua Halswell Centre and the Lincoln Community Centre. Vicki Pflaum had only just moved back to her Worsley Road home after the 2017 fires destroyed it. Vicki Pflaum speaks to Lisa Owen [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6346909280112

Fire crews have again been fighting the huge fire on Christchurch's Port Hills for a second night. Helicopters are expected back in the air again at first light. One home has been destroyed in the blaze, while at least 80 other households have been evacuated. Our reporter Tim Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss from the cordon on Worsleys Road.

There's a reprieve in the weather for the firefighters tackling the massive blaze on Christchurch's Port Hills. Temperatures dropped overnight thanks to a southwesterly change. The fire, which started on Wednesday February 14, was fanned by a hot and gusty north-westerly. MetService meteorologist John Law spoke to Corin Dann.

We cross now to the the latest Fire and Emergency briefing.

Christchurch resident John Joseph lives up at the top of Worsleys Road and is hoping to return home after evacuating when the Port Hills went up in flames. Joseph spoke to Corin Dann.

Port Hills resident Dominique Leeming, who was also affected by the 2017 fire is hopeful that the fire is under control. Leeming says the situation feels much more under control than seven years ago. Reporter Charlotte Cook spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Firefighters are out in force again battling to bring the huge Port Hills Fire under control. For a second night ground crew worked in the dark trying to contain the blaze and protect houses. Around 80 houses are still evacuated but people in Hoon Hay Valley Road and Early Valley Road were allowed home late Thursday afternoon. Fire and Emergency is warning they need to stay alert as they may have to leave again, quickly, if conditions change. Others on Worsleys Road are still waiting and hoping it will be their turn soon. Niva Chittock reports.

The light from the Port Hill flames could be seen from the central city on Thursday 15, but the following morning was a different story. At least 80 firefighters, 27 trucks, 14 helicopters and two fixed wing planes were involved in battling the blaze. On Friday morning the thick smell of smoke was the only reminder of the blaze which Fire and Emergency had been unable to contain. Our reporter Charlotte Cook was at the cordon on Worsleys Road.

Returning to the large fire on Christchurch's Port Hills, Homes have been left without power as a result of the blaze. Orion New Zealand general manager Steve McDonald speaks to Jimmy Ellingham. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6346847553112

There are now two evacuation centre set up for residents displaced by the fire on Christchruch's Port Hills. One has been established at the Lincoln Community Centre for people closer to Selwyn. Christchurch reporter Anna Sergeant reports.

It's been a hot day in the region with the mercury tipping 29 degrees at one point. Metservice Meteorologist Heath Gullery speaks to Jimmy Ellingham.

We begin tonight in Christchurch where 10 helicopters, and firefighters onboard 15 trucks and tankers, are battling a large fire in the Port Hills. The fire started around 2.15 this afternoon and plumes of black smoke are billowing across the city. Power is out to at least 15-thousand properties, and residents of Worsleys Road and Worsleys Spur have been told to evacuate immediately. Evacuation centres has been set up at the Halswell Library and Community Centre, and the Lincoln Community Centre. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6346842919112

As the fire started raged along the Port Hills yesterday, soot affected the high voltage lines and caused the circuits to trip at the Bromley substation in Christchurch. The local lines company Orion says that knocked out power to 39,000 customers. Late yesterday, flames could be seen near Transpower's pylons and lines. But the national grid operator says it won't be able to inspect them until it is safe to do so. Transpower's General Manager Mark Ryall spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Our reporter Charlotte Cook was half-way up Worsley Road as smoke continued to billow over the Port Hills in Christchurch. Cook spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss

The Emergency Management and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell, was in Christchurch assessing the scale of the Port Hills fire first-hand. Mark Mitchell spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Top stories for Thursday 15 February 2024 A fire continues to rage on Christchurch's Port Hills and a State of Emergency remains in place. Fire crews are on the scene and Helicopters and planes are back in the air dumping water and fire retardent on the blaze.We'll cross to our reporters at the scene In other news it was a big night at the Halbergs with kayaker Dame Lisa Carrington taking out the supreme award. And we speak to Finanace Minster Nicola Willis about the cancellation of Kiwirail's contract for two new Interislander ferries*

The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills continues to rage this morning, fanned by a nor'west wind. The blaze, which broke out near the top end of Worsleys Spur road just after 2pm yesterday , has burnt through 100 hectares of pine forest, scrub, and tussock. Smaller fires also broke out yesterday sparked by embers carried by the strong winds. Evacuations have taken place in Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Hoon Hay Valley, and Kennedy's Bush and at least half a dozen properties were at serious risk last night. 22 crews worked on the fire throughout the night. More fire crews, helicopters with monsoon buckets and planes carrying fire retardant were getting back in the air around 6am. There will be a media conference 7.30am involving Fire and Emergency, the Police, and the Mayors of the Christchurch and Selwyn Councils. Our reporter in Christchurch, Tim Brown, was at the scene.

The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills is burning under the high voltage power lines that connect Ashburton and Christchurch. Transpower says it thinks a build-up of soot affected transmission yesterday, causing a circuit outage at its Bromley substation. 39,000 customers in the east of Christchurch lost electricity just before 2.45pm on Wednesday. The local lines company, Orion, says it restored power within 25 minutes. General manager, Steve MacDonald, spoke to Corin Dann.

The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills continues to rage Thursday morning. The blaze, which broke out near the top end of Worsleys Spur road just after 2pm Wednesday, has burnt through 100-hectares of pine forest, scrub, and tussock. Evacuations have taken place in Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Hoon Hay Valley, and Kennedy's Bush and at least half-a-dozen properties were at serious risk Wednesday night. The fire has left residents shaken and anxious, evoking memories of the horrific 2017 fires which burned for more than two months and destroyed nine homes. Reporter Charlotte Cook spoke to Corin Dann.

The fire on Christchurch's Port Hills has continued to spread Wednesday night. On Wednesday evening, Fire and Emergency said it was about 100-hectares in size. But embers, carried by the strong hot northwesterly wind, were sparking new fires. Residents have been evacuated around Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Hoon Hay Valley, and Kennedy's Bush. Firefighters continued ground operations Wednesday night, and helicopters with monsoon buckets have just rejoined the effort are expected to join the operation again on Thursday. A state of local emergency has been declared for the Christchurch City and Selwyn District Councils. Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger spoke to Corin Dann.

Another hot and dry day is forecast for Christchurch as the fire in the Port Hills continues to burn. MetService Meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Fire and Emergency's Ben Mosby addressed the public in a media conference on the Port Hills fire in Christchurch.  

Firefighters are continuing to battle the major blaze in the Port Hills. It's now 630 hectares in size and has a 12 kilometre perimeter. Reporter Charlotte Cook spoke to Corin Dann.

Fire fighters say no homes have been lost in the Port Hills blaze in Christchurch that's forced the evacuation of 80 properties. The fire covers 630 hectares and has crossed the boundary into the Adventure Park. Eighty fire fighters are tackling the blaze on the ground, while 13 helicopters and two planes are dropping water and retardant from the air. Reporter Tim Brown spoke to Corin Dann.

Wildfire scientists have taken samples of the soil, moisture and fuel sources near the fire in the Port Hills, to help predict how the blaze might spread. The Crown research institute for forestry, Scion, says it is ready to support Fire and Emergency with its prediction and modelling skills, and it's also modelling the smoke spread to share that information with public health authorities. Scion wildfire scientist Hugh Wallace spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The fire raging on Christchurch's Port Hills has spread south into the Selwyn District Council area. It, along with Christchurch City, declared a state of local emergency yesterday to help co-ordinate the response, and to give officials the power to evacuate people or restrict access to affected areas. An evacuation centre has been set up at the Lincoln Community Centre. Selwyn's mayor Sam Broughton spoke to Corin Dann.

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Midweek Mediawatch: Colin Peacock talked to Emile Donovan about the Port Hills fire prompting another state of emergency; questions posed by two awkward interviews with political leaders - and the retail rat-astrophe in our supermarkets that suddenly surged to the top of the news agenda. 

Christchurch is in for a scorcher today, with 28 degrees and wind from mid-morning as the Port Hills fire continues to burn.  More than 130 firefighters, two helicopters and two fixed wing aircraft are on the scene this morning, replacing overnight crews.  Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger told Mike Hosking that eighty properties in the area had been evacuated.  He said that all the emergency services are together at the Justice Precinct Centre, calling it an “extremely good asset.  The fire looks worse at night time, Mauger told Hosking, as the darkness accentuates the flames burning.  The fire is happening in the same area as the last blaze which happened almost seven years ago to the day.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fire in Christchurch's Port Hills on a dry breezy day had residents hoping they weren't in for a repeat of the disasterous 2017 blazes. And it raises questions about whether we need to be on high-alert this fire season. At least four fire crews and three helicopters managed to contain today's blaze in just over an hour, but State Highway 76 between the city and Lyttelton closed to allow firefighters to carry out their work. The fire is now contained but earlier in the afternoon several locals told our reporter Rachel Graham they were getting ready to move. New Zealand's in for an El Nino summer. In the past that's meant stronger or more frequent winds from the west, causing drier conditions. And Europe has already experienced record breaking temperatures during its summer coupled with devastating and deadly wild fires. Fire and Emergency wildfire manager Tim Mitchell speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6341462438112