Podcasts about Rangiora

People in Kaikoura wanting to to sit their licences are being driven out of town, having to go hundreds of kilometres away to get pratical test. A mobile testing unit comes to Kaikoura regularly but that's only for licence renewals and theory exams, so this means a trip to Blenheim or Rangiora. Kaikoura doesn't have an approved practical test route despite locals saying they have all the elements they need, including roundabouts. Mayor Craig Mackle spoke to Lisa Owen.

David discusses the latest news in North Canterbury including updates on the earthquake damaged Glen Alton bridge funding, calls for a local driving licence test route in Kaikoura, reactions from local mayors on the government's bid to get young people off a jobseekers benefit, and there have been reports of dog attacks on little penguins along Kaikoura's coastline. David Hill is a Local Democracy Reporter with North Canterbury News, based in Rangiora.

The Northern Mystics expect to take on a mirror image of themselves when they battle the Mainland Tactix in their ANZ Premiership netball game in Rangiora this afternoon. The Mystics are unbeaten after three rounds and top-of-the-table with nine points, while the Tactix are second on seven points. Captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson points to depth as each team's strength. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I hope Environment Canterbury isn't bothering listening to Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey. He's not impressed that the regional council is going to spend money doing a business case for a rail passenger service between Rangiora, Christchurch, and Rolleston. Matt Doocey says it's nothing more than a pie-in-the-sky idea and, given we're in a cost-of-living crisis, he says ECAN should stick to its knitting and focus on getting costs down and reducing rates. But what Matt Doocey should be doing —instead of criticising ECAN— is praising it for showing some initiative. He should be praising it for showing that it's prepared to do the kind of big sky, big picture thinking that local government hasn't been doing, and which we've been saying it should be doing. I think Doocey isn't reading the room, and I suspect that there will be a lot of excitement about ECAN pushing this rail idea. What's more, ECAN has put some money aside for a possible rail project. Plus, it's talking about not just limiting this rail passenger idea to Rangiora, Christchurch, and Rolleston. It's saying that, once up and running, the service could be extended to places like Amberley, Ashburton, Timaru, and even further south into Otago and Southland. I'm loving the idea. I'm also loving the fact that ECAN is prepared to put some skin in the game. To spend some money and find out once-and-for-all how much of a goer this could be. ECAN is onto something because if there's a common complaint about how the earthquake rebuild played out, it would be the fact that, despite all the talk that Christchurch was going to be the most modern city in the country, it's not. Because we've just stuck to the same old, same old when it comes to things like transport. And local government has to carry some of the blame for that. But now, ECAN wants to make good on that. What this comes down to for me is this: what do expect of local government? Do we just expect it to stick to its knitting and do the basic boring stuff? Or do we expect our councils to be the big picture thinkers? If you're like me and you want to see councils doing the big picture stuff, then you'll agree that we've lost the ability to think big. Mark my words, there'll be no shortage of people running in the local body elections later this year banging-on about sticking to the basics. Whereas ECAN is showing that it's thinking about the future, which is exactly the kind of thing I want to see not just from ECAN, but all our councils. Tell that to Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey, though. He's saying today: ‘Rather than coming up with pie in the sky motions, ECAN should focus on reducing rates which have rapidly increased - putting more pressure on ratepayers in a cost-of-living crisis.'' Compare that to the likes of ECAN councillor Joe Davies who is saying we can't wait 20 or 30 years, and we need a solution in the next five to ten years. He says: ‘There's a corridor already in place so there would be significantly lower set-up costs and this is an opportunity to link Rangiora and Rolleston to the city.'' So he sees opportunity. Matt Doocey sees obstacles. ECAN sees opportunity and is doing something about it, which is the approach I want to see a lot more of from our local councils. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In an ideal world, I would love us to have more trains. In an ideal world, I think it would be great if all our big cities had rail passenger services. Not just Auckland and Wellington that Transport Minister Chris Bishop was talking about when he announced this morning that there's $600 million in this week's Budget going into rail. I won't go all scratched record on it and start asking where the money is for the Greater Christchurch area, but I would love to see money going into commuter rail here. Because if we do think rail has a future in New Zealand —and I'm talking about passenger rail as well as sending freight by rail— I think it's more realistic to expect commuters to take the train than people going out of town on holiday. So that's one area where I'd put the money – into passenger trains. And that's probably my ideal world scenario, which I'll come back to. What I think is certainly more achievable though, is getting more freight shipped around the place on trains. Because we've shown how bad we are as a country at maintaining our roading network. And, if you believe the rail advocates, they'll tell you that the main problem is trucks. That they're responsible for chewing up the roads. And, when you travel down the east coast of the South Island, it does strike you how much of a donkey track State Highway 1 is in parts. Yet we seem to be quite happy for these trucks —designed in countries where they do have massive motorways— to go up and down that donkey track night and day, 365 days a year. So get more freight on trains first. And then, if we're going to do anything more with passenger trains, focus on getting people to work and school on a train instead of expecting them to go to Nelson for their holidays on a train. Because I've long thought how brilliant it would be if we had a rail service from Rangiora to the city and from Rolleston to the city. Imagine what the motorways would look like. Imagine getting into town on a train —not a bus, where you can get all the same disruptions as other vehicles— but you scream into town on the train, you don't have to worry about finding a park, and then get the train back home again in the evening. The Canterbury Regional Transport Committee obviously likes the sound of that too. This is the entity that involves all councils in the canterbury region —including ECAN— and NZTA. And the number one job of the regional transport committee is to implement the Canterbury Regional Transport Plan. In recent years, there's been talk of passenger rail services running from the city to Rolleston and as far north as Amberley. Reading the most recent regional transport plan, the enthusiasm that we were hearing a couple of years seems from the transport committee seems to have been tempered a bit. There is still political interest in a passenger rail service south of Christchurch but there are no timeframes and, of course, where the money comes from is the stumbling block. But there are positive signs if you're into the idea of rail, like I am. The regional transport plan sets a goal of increasing the amount of freight moved by train in Canterbury by 100% over the next eight or nine years. So that's good. But it also talks about the population of Selwyn growing by around 58,000 people over the next 20-and-a-bit years. And, in Waimakariri, the population is expected to go up by 25,000 people in the same period. Christchurch is expected to have another 66,000 people. So there's an extra 149,000 people living in the Greater Christchurch area, and we think the Northern Motorway and the Southern Motorway are going to be just fine? Dream on. And that's the argument right there for passenger rail services in the Greater Christchurch area. Which is why when I ask, should we be investing more in rail here in Canterbury, my answer is yes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are two things certain in this world. There will always be cars and there will always be idiots. That's why this move by the Government to make it easier to seize and destroy cars won't get rid of the boy racer problem. But it's better than nothing and good on the Government for doing it. At the moment, the police can only seize or destroy a boy or girl racer's car if they offend three times. We're talking about three offences, in particular: taking part in illegal street racing; fleeing from the police. and getting involved in an intimidating convoy. So do either of those things three times, and the car can be taken off them. But, once this new legislation is passed, there'll be no second or third chances. Which I think will help the police no end because, as the law stands at the moment, they have to have evidence that someone has offended three times before there's any chance of taking the car off them. Which is probably why only three cars have ever been seized and crushed under the original legislation that the former-National government brought-in back in 2009. So it's a problem that politicians have been trying to solve for a fair while now. And not just at central government level. We've tried over the years in Christchurch. The council brought-in the “no cruising” zones. which are still here. In fact, there are more now than there used to be. A concrete pad was built at Ruapuna Speedway too. The idea being that they could all go out there and fill their boots doing skids and burn-outs. But no one was interested. Because meeting-up somewhere like Ruapuna to let rip in a car - something organised and legal - that's not what boy racing is all about. It's about stuff happening on the spur of the moment. It's about not following the rules. It's about taking over a piece of road and making it your own. So that was never going to work. Just like the “no cruising” zones were never really going to work, either. Sure, it might have sorted things out a bit in the central city, but all it did was push the problem somewhere else. Particularly into the semi-rural areas the cars head-out to every weekend. But back to the Government's latest crackdown. I think it's great that it's, at least, doing something - but we shouldn't think for a minute that it's going to mean goodbye to the scourge of boy racers. Think back to just over a year ago, when an 18-year-old woman died tragically after the car she was in crashed into the side of a house in Rangiora. They'd been at an illegal street racing event and, when the police turned-up, the driver took off and ended up crashing. Under this new legislation, he would have had his car confiscated there and then. Maybe it would even have been crushed. But do you think for a minute that that guy thought about the consequences of his actions before deciding to hoof it from the police? Do you think he would've thought about it any more if he knew he ran the risk of losing his car? I don't think he would have. Which is why I don't see this law change having any major impact. I would love it to and good on the Government for doing something. But I don't think this will mean an end to the problems boy racers cause.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matthew Williamson joins the show ahead of racing today at Rangiora and Winton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg chats with Brendon Hill ahead of an important race for the team at Rangiora Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg catches up with Bob Butt ahead of racing today at Rangiora Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mick catches up with Bob Butt ahead of racing today at Rangiora Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Politics Friday, John MacDonald was joined by Matt Doocey and Duncan Webb to delve into some of the topics listeners are most interested in. They mark the anniversary of the Christchurch Earthquake, which occurred 14 years ago tomorrow. Rangiora's after-hours clinic is still not underway, but some certainty has been gained after the Waimakariri District Council has offered to bankroll the project. Child poverty statistics have not shifted – is this a problem governments can't solve? And what do they make about the Chinese Navy sightings in the Pacific? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's fast track legislation is shaping up to be a real cluster. Especially, in Greater Christchurch. I think some of the projects it wants to get going here sooner rather than later are making its new legislation more ram-raid than fast track. So it's released details of 149 projects that will be included in the Bill which, it says, is being done to help rebuild the economy, sort out the housing crisis, improve energy security, and do something about the state of our infrastructure. But, here in Canterbury, it's going head-to-head with the Selwyn and Waimakariri councils over the construction of nearly 8,000 houses which these two councils have been trying to block for years. The reason they don't want them is that they don't think they can cope with the kind of rapid expansion these developments would lead to. And I agree. I think it's reckless and all part of this "get stuff done" mentality that can sound great, but that's about it. I think what we're seeing here is the Government going all "you can't stop progress" on it and not considering the wider implications. And they are riding roughshod over the concerns of two of our local councils. In Selwyn, for example, under the new fast track bill, a development by the Carter Group in Rolleston West would see 4,200 more homes built across four suburbs. Which would mean more than 12,000 new residents fast-tracked into Rolleston - which is already New Zealand's fastest-growing town. That's on the basis of there being 4,200 extra houses, and an average of just under three people per house in Selwyn at the moment. That happens - and the population of Rolleston would increase by 41 percent. As Selwyn councillor Sophie McInnes is saying today, that would be "explosive growth". She says, think about how many schools they would need in the area - where Rolleston College is already a capacity with 1,800 students. You bring another 12,000 people into the area and you're going to need more schools, aren't you? What about health facilities? I don't see any new medical centres or a hospital on the Government's list of things to do. As Selwyn councillor Sophie McInnes is saying, they want Rolleston to grow at its own pace. In a sustainable way. For the local economy to grow and create local jobs, so they don't get these new developments popping up where people sleep at night and then leave in the morning to go to work and school in the city. And then there's Waimakariri. Where the Carter Group wants to build 850 houses and a commercial centre at Ohoka but the council's been against it - for the same reason as Selwyn has been opposed to the developments there - because of concerns about unsustainable growth. The difference is, though, that the Ohoka development includes a school and/or a retirement home. But, last year, independent commissioners decided not to give consent for the project because they didn't think it would fit with Ohoka's existing rural nature, and because there's a lack of local jobs and a lack of public transport. They said at the time, "Families with secondary school students, sporting interests and those working in Rangiora, Kaiapoi or Christchurch will travel to meet their day-to-day needs." So, basically, the decision not to give the Ohoka project consent was for similar reasons as to why the Selwyn council doesn't want that massive 4,200 house development. These areas can't cope with that kind of growth and it would just turn them into dormitories. But, oh no, the developers with their noses out of joint have run to the Government and have said "pick us, pick us" and the Government has decided "yep, you're on the list". And I think it is very short-sighted. I think the Government is being reckless. And I think it will do nothing to change the minds of people who think this whole fast track thing is the Government riding roughshod just to please its mates. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DarkSky International has approved international dark sky sanctuary status for the Kaikoura district. 

On today's podcast, Dom talks with renowned agricultural journalist Sandra Taylor who's in Paris for the Olympics about her nephew Ben Taylor, who's part of the NZ rowing team, swimming in the Seine and croissants... He talks with Simon Millar, Executive Director with Pure Advantage, about its origins, purpose and vision for NZ's future... He talks with Rochelle Flint, chief brand and product officer at Bremworth, about its new marketing investment in wool carpets, how it hopes to stimulate demand for NZ wool and address misconceptions about the fibre... And he talks with Wayne Rewi from Rangiora Bakery about taking out the top gong at the Bakels NZ Supreme Pie Award for 2024. Tune in daily for the latest and greatest REX rural content on your favourite streaming platform, visit rexonline.co.nz and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After calling the Magic's 51-49 win over the Tactix, Mark Stafford and Charlotte Elley chat to Magic mid-courter Georgia Edgecombe and Tactix shooter Te Paea Selby-Rickit from MainPower Stadium, Rangiora. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When I heard on Friday morning that the cops had been out in force the night before cracking down on boy racers, I thought two things. My first thought was ‘that's great, I hope they do it again right through the weekend'. And the reason I thought that - and it was purely selfish - was because, with the kids home from uni, I knew a couple of them were planning to drive out to a party with mates on Saturday night. At that point, I had it in my head that the party was up Kaiapoi-way, so I had visions of them shooting up the motorway on Saturday night. Turns out I didn't quite have my finger on the pulse and the party was in town. Either way, that was one of the things that went through my head when I heard the police had interrupted eight “skid Meets” - as they're known - on Thursday night, involving more than 100 cars. Six in Christchurch. Two in Rolleston. Three cars were impounded on Thursday night for sustained loss of traction. I think we can assume that's official ‘police-speak' for burn-outs. Eighteen infringement notices were issued to drivers; two cars had green stickers stuck on them, which means there are compliance issues; and another car got a pink sticker - which meant it just shouldn't have been on the road, full stop. You get a pink sticker and your car's going nowhere. And it was all part of a nationwide blitz on the boy racers. So, like I say, when I first heard about two things went through my head. I hope they keep doing it right through the long weekend. Which, it turns out, they did. And the other thought I had, was that they - as in the Police - and “we”, are dreaming if we think a one-off sting on a long weekend is going to make any long-term difference. Because it's not. That didn't stop acting Canterbury district commander police superintendent Lane Todd from doing a bit of the old chest thumping on the TV news last night. In another report I've seen, the superintendent says: “Our staff did an excellent job identifying potential hotspots and consistently targeting participants in unsafe vehicles.” No argument from me there. They didn't just do an excellent job - they did a brilliant job. And I reckon, because of it, the roads in Canterbury were much safer than usual over the weekend. But, whether we like it or not, boy racers are here to stay. And, unless the police are going to do what they did at the weekend every weekend, or maybe even every night - then the success thry had at the weekend will just be a one-off. I've had a gutsful of boy racers. We had that tragedy last September when an 18-year-old woman died after the car she was in crashed into the side of a house in Rangiora. They'd been at an illegal street racing event and, when the police turned-up just before 5:45am, the driver took off and ended-up crashing. The cops started following but gave up after a while because of the way the car was being driven and because they got into a built-up area. Not long after that, the driver lost control and crashed. And, just weeks before that happened, there was all the fuss about boy racers causing mayhem for some of the animals at Orana Park. Because that stretch of road at McLeans Island is your boy racer's idea of heaven. And all the revving and screeching of tyres had some of the animals so freaked-out that they panicked and they ran around their enclosures and got injured. But just because we've had a gutsful of boy racers. And just because the cops decide to do a surprise crackdown over one long weekend. It's not going to make any long-term difference. The only way the police could make any real difference, would be to do what they did at the weekend 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week. But that is never going to happen. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enterprise North Canterbury has been working with other regional tourism organisations to develop a Canterbury dark sky trail. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve was established in 2012, while the Kaikoura Dark Sky Trust is about to apply for dark sky sanctuary status and interest is growing in other Canterbury communities. Crunch time is fast approaching for two North Canterbury schools bulging at the seams. Woodend School and Te Kura o Tuahiwi are on the Ministry of Education's list of 352 building projects under review. And there'll be a review of the rules protecting Canterbury's coastline next year. David Hill is a Local Democracy Reporter with North Canterbury News, based in Rangiora.

Thieves are dicing with death and causing significant power cuts scaling high voltage lines to pinch copper for scrap metal and the police need help identifying them. A 42 year old man is facing theft and intentional damage charges after Christchurch Police searched a Rangiora property yesterday. The charges relate to thefts in January and February. However, police are searching for others following a string of incidents, including live wires left exposed near a kindergarten. Senior Sergeant Roy Appley speaks to Lisa Owen

A $1.5 million project is underway to revert Rangiora High School's modern open learning space to single cell classrooms. Its giant classroom fitting 500 students opened in 2017 but was found difficult to work in, due to noise, visual distractions, and fluctuating temperatures. Principal Bruce Kearney says they're determined the open structure doesn't suit their vision for the school. "A lot of people talked about modern learning environments as being open barns- and they're not. What they're supposed to be is providing the ability for teachers, for students, classes, schools to be flexible." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David is in Kaikoura today where an old go-kart track south of the town is attracting petrolheads from around the South Island, causing trouble and upsetting residents. Environment Canterbury is in town as part of the "Pick a Path" summit, David explains the initiative. And he talks to Kathryn about some local tourism ventures. Local Democracy Reporter David Hill is with North Canterbury News, based in Rangiora

Labour says it's taking a long-term approach to reducing youth crime.  In Auckland, a 16-year-old boy has been charged over Monday's fatal bus station attack, the victim's family revealing he was a 24-year-old alleged 501 deportee from Australia.  And in Christchurch, an 18-year-old learner driver is facing charges over Sunday's fatal Rangiora crash, with new figures revealing Canterbury has been facing a sharp rise in serious boy racer incidents.  Labour's Carmel Sepuloni told Kate Hawkesby that she understands community concerns about youth crime, but there is no easy short-term fix.  She says the Government has to continue to do what works to reduce crime over the long term.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An absolute tragedy over the weekend, with an 18-year-old dying yesterday morning after the car she was in crashed into the side of a house in Rangiora. They'd been at an illegal street racing event and when the police turned-up just before a-quarter-to-five, the driver took off and ended up crashing. They started following but gave up after a while because of the way the car was being driven and because they got into a built-up area. Not long after that, it seems, the driver lost control and crashed. I've said it before and I'll say it again, boy racers are here to stay. The last time I said it, was about three weeks ago when the people at Orana Park were in the news saying that boy racers were causing mayhem for their animals. Because MacLean's Island is one of the spots the boy racers have these burn-out events. And all the revving and screeching of tyres have had some of the animals so freaked out that they've panicked and they've been running around their enclosures and getting injured. There have been some serious cuts and bruises going on. So, last time we talked about it, it was all about the animals. Today, we're talking about it, because an 18-year-old woman has lost her life. The car she was in had been at a burn-out session at Fernside. There, MacLean's Island, and West Melton are the three main areas where these things happen. That's because, years ago, the city council brought in the anti-cruising rules. Which effectively shifted the problem from the city out to the semi-rural areas. Although there are still parts of town where they congregate. Either way, the problem's still here. And I don't see it changing much, either. But if I had to come up with one thing that I thought might remotely make a difference, it would be raising the age people can get their licence. Years ago it used to be15. Now it's 16 and there is the staggered process: Learner, Restricted and Full. But what if it went up to 18? Or even 20? That could possibly make some difference. But I reckon there'd be such an uproar that it would never happen. That's because we seem to think here in New Zealand that driving a car is a human right. Not a privilege. Some people seem to think it's a human right. And if you raise the driving age, it ignores all the brilliant young people out there who don't do burnouts. Who don't scream off when the cops ask them to stop. It also assumes that, even by the time someone turns 20, they're going to be all sensible on it. Well, they're not. If you were really going to go hardcore and raise the driving age to try and prevent this sort of thing, you'd have to put limitations on people right up to about the age of about 25. Because, apparently, that's when people's brains - especially men - become capable of making sensible decisions. Unlike the person driving the car involved in the crash yesterday morning - an 18-year-old guy - who allegedly took-off from the police in a car that had a pink sticker on it. Which means that it shouldn't have even been on the road. A pink sticker goes on any vehicle that's been ordered off the road because it's considered too unsafe to be driven. And it can't go on the road until it's been re-checked and gets a warrant of fitness. The tragic irony in all this is that it was only Saturday - two days ago - when the New Zealand Herald ran quite a lengthy story about the boy racer problem here in Canterbury. And it said in the story that Canterbury is the only region that has a dedicated anti-boy racer police unit. Officially it's called the “Anti-Social Road User Squad”. And it involves police staff who have some sort of background in cars. They were described in the story as being passionate about what they do. And, apparently, cops all around the country get in touch to get advice from them on how to deal with boy racers. But even then, having this special anti-boy racer police unit, didn't prevent what happened yesterday morning in Rangiora. And now, the 18-year-old driver is facing a court appearance tomorrow and the family and friends of the woman killed are dealing with an enormous loss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rangiora High School, in Canterbury, is installing cameras and sensors near toilets in an effort to crack down on vaping. School principal Bruce Kearney says students vape in large groups and intimidate those using the toilets for their intended purpose. He's determined to stamp it out. Kearney spoke to Corin Dann.

With the election a couple of months away, Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon has been reminding politicians of the district's wishlist, particularly concerning roading. David discusses the changing nature of protests in the area which has been highlighted by Canterbury Rural Area Commander Inspector Peter Cooper. Former red zone land in Kaipoi has been identified as a possible future urban development area, and rural property owners near Rangiora have seen a large hike in their latest rates bill

In this episode, we explore the top 10 investment hotspots in New Zealand outside the main centres. We discuss the potential for capital growth in locations such as Kaiapoi, Rangiora, and Ashburton. We also delve into why the South Island, specifically places like Blenheim and Nelson. While making our assessment, we consider factors like affordability, rental yields, average incomes, population growth, and desirability. Lastly, we cover areas with high rental yield like Tokoroa, Levin, Whanganui, and Gisborne and reveal why Queenstown-Lakes has made it to our top 10 list. Main Topics Discussed: Top investment locations Rangiora property market Kaiapoi property market Ashburton property market Levin property market Whanganui property market Gisborne property market Tokoroa property market Queenstown property market Nelson property market Blenheim property market We also mention you can play around with this data on our website. And we also mention our upcoming webinar about ⁠How to Succeed as a Property Investor With No Experience + Real Life Case Study⁠. It's on Tuesday August 8th at 7pm, click the link to register.

North Canterbury people have got an apology from health officials for their failure to deliver a desperately needed after-hours clinic.  Te Whatu Ora had promised the clinic would open at the end of last year but the date came and went with no explanation to Waimakariri residents. At a community meeting last night it was confirmed they will have to wait at least another 12 months. Niva Chittock was there.

If you're a parent or a grandparent in Canterbury, chances are you'll be familiar with St George's Hospital - which runs a birthing unit and provides post-natal care. Not for much longer, though. Nine weeks from now, it will be all over because they can't get enough midwives to run things safely. Which is going to be a real kick in the guts for the thousands who signed a petition to keep things going there. And all the people who joined-in on a march to the hospital when the petition was presented to the honchos at St George's. That was in March/April last year, after word got out that the services at the hospital could be at-risk. And, as a result of all that, St George's agreed to keep running maternity services until the end of its contract. And now it's been confirmed that, come the end of June, that'll be it. So, in a way, not a surprise. But it will be gutting nonetheless for the women who fought to keep the unit operating, gutting for the women who are expecting a baby beyond June and now have to work out what options they've got, and gutting for the thousands of people in Canterbury who have used St George's maternity services over the years. I remember the night our daughter was born 20 years ago. She arrived safely at 5:20 in the evening at the old Christchurch Women's Hospital and, then later that same night, we were cleared to transfer for the standard two-or-three night's care at St George's. I had never driven as carefully and slowly and safely as I did that August night. It was pouring with rain and I remember not quite being overwhelmed, but the sense of responsibility to get that little bundle in the back seat safely up to St George's really brought home the enormity of it all. But, 20 years on from then, and who knows how many babies delivered and mothers cared for during that time, and we are about to see the end of St George's maternity care. I was actually in the maternity ward at St George's the other night visiting someone recovering from surgery. It was just as quiet and peaceful as I remember it. There was the odd little squawk - but it reminded me how much of a godsend the midwives and staff at St Georges were for us, and how missed the maternity unit will be when it closes at the end of June. Because, once that happens, parents will have to go somewhere else to have their babies and receive post-natal care. A new central city birthing unit is due to open in Christchurch at the end of this year. But between the end of June and the end of the year, parents will have to find somewhere else to go. Which, for most, will mean some of the smaller rural hospitals around the place. Which probably won't be the end of the world but is this really how we should be treating young families? The way it operates is women can choose to give birth at a hospital, a primary birthing unit such as St George's - providing they're healthy with no pregnancy complications - or at home. But with the shortage of midwives, what's been happening is that St George's has found itself in having to send mothers with newborn babies home early and, you may recall, a situation where it even had to turn away a woman who was in labour. At the same time, Christchurch Women's Hospital was full and she ended-up having to go to Rangiora and her midwife missed the birth by five minutes because of the unexpected extra travel time. If you're a parent, you'll know how devastating that situation would have been. And so you can't argue with St George's when it says it just can't keep operating like that. There's a shortage of midwives and it doesn't want to put women and babies at risk by just continuing on hoping things work out. If it did that and something went bad as a result, we'd be all over them demanding answers wouldn't we? So I'm not blaming St George's for this. Where the blame lies in all of this is the fact that we have allowed the likes of maternity services to bumble along and keep our fingers crossed that it all works out. I'm talking about successive governments, health boards and probably you and me as well. Sure, 30,000 people signed the petition last year but really, when it comes down to it, we only really think about the likes of maternity services when we need them, don't we?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mainland Tactix have climbed to the top of the ANZ Premiership netball standings following a 58-41 win over the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic last night in Rangiora.

Welcome to the fifty ninth episode of The Beauty School Dropouts Podcast!  This week the gang recap our weekend at the Kumeu Classic Car & Hotrod Festival, and talk about our plans for this weekends' upcoming events - Muscle Car Madness in Rangiora and The Beauty School Dropouts Miss Cruise Martinborough, both of which should be on your list of must-do events if you're in the area.  Edited by Fran RobertsonMusic provided by ​RHVBARB / Pond5.comArtwork by Jayde Lemonade

Craig Roberts joins the show from Rangiora to talk his horses in today, as well as team of greyhounds going around in the coming week.

Pacing for Purpose Harness Racing NZ. The SENZ shows are going head-to-head in the name of charity. Mornings with Ian Smith is supporting The Women's Refuge. Friday we're at Rangiora R2 No.11 Sigrid Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revelations women are being turned away from a private Christchurch Hospital whist in labour, because of staffing shortages. Newstalk ZB understands at least one labouring woman was sent from St George's Hospital to Rangiora last night and her midwife missed her birth. Incoming Chair of the College of Midwives Sheena Ross says this is the most stressful outcome. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Earlier this year, more than 30,000 people signed a petition calling for the birthing unit at St George's Hospital in Christchurch to be kept open. It all happened after the hospital announced it was going to close the unit because it didn't have enough staff but, subsequently, agreed to keep it running until April next year, when its current contract with what used to be known as the Canterbury District Health Board runs out. So imagine how those 30,000-plus people who signed the petition must be feeling today with the news that St George's has been sending mothers with newborn babies home early and even turned away a woman who went into labour on Tuesday. She was told St George's was closed and she would have to go elsewhere. So, with Christchurch Women's Hospital full, she ended up having to go to Rangiora and her midwife missed the birth by five minutes because of the unexpected extra travel time. Can you imagine how traumatic that must've been for this woman? You're told there's no room at the inn and then your midwife misses the actual birth because they have to drive to another hospital miles away. Is this the sort of care we expect in New Zealand's second-largest city? I know there are women up and down the country who have to travel long distances when they go into labour. But, generally, these are women who live in locations where facilities aren't on the doorstep and they know from the outset that some travel is going to be involved. It's a bit different if you live in Christchurch - or in the surrounding area - and all along you've known that it's going to either be Christchurch Women's or St George's where your baby will be born but then, at the last minute, you're told ‘sorry, no room, you need to go somewhere else'. As far as I'm concerned, that is completely unacceptable. And this is not me beating up on St George's. I get they've got problems with staff shortages. So I'm not specifically beating up on them. But is this what things have come to? It's not just someone in labour being turned away this week. There have also been mothers sent home early. One woman was sent home on the second night after giving birth. Now, I remember when our kids were born how those three nights in hospital were absolute gold. And, as Sheena Ross from the College of Midwives is saying, the second night after a birth can be the most difficult night. She says babies often cry a lot on the second night and mums can require essential support with latching and feeding. But this particular woman was sent home from St George's at 7 o'clock on her second night. You can only wonder how things went for her. And not just her either - she will most likely have a partner and I don't think we should forget about partners in this situation. I know from my experience how the time mum and baby spends in hospital after the birth isn't just gold for them, it's gold for the other parent too who - especially if it's the first time - are not only elated but can feel pretty overwhelmed by it all too. And you can't underestimate the value of the chance to get home for a bit of a rest before the whirlwind of having a newborn baby in the house hits. The unit at St George's is operating again after two community midwives were called in. I gather the hospital is looking for more too. Nevertheless, the fact this happened in the first place just shows, doesn't it, that maternity care in this country is playing second fiddle. I'm not quite sure what it's playing second fiddle to - because if you can tell me which part of the health system is operating at gold standard, then I'll be interested to hear about it. But, from where I'm sitting, it looks to me as if maternity care is running on a wing and a prayer and, as far as I'm concerned, it's not good enough. Because this is not just about women who are due to have their babies this week. This is about women who are due to have their babies anytime soon. Women who, going by what we've seen this week, could find themselves in the same situation and either be forced to go somewhere else at the last minute to have their baby, or be sent home early afterwards because there's not enough staff to look after them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rangiora Senior Police Constable Tony Maw talks to Dom George as Sheep rustlers are giving the cops a runaround with thefts across the region.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre says conditions are too dangerous for searchers to reach the crash site in the Southern Alps where a small plane went down on Thursday. Air Traffic Control notified the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand its assistance was required at 11am. One person was on-board. The crashed plane which had flown out of Franz Josef en route to Rangiora was located yesterday afternoon in a remote part of the alps, near Mount Nicholson. Overnight a plan was developed to try and reach the area. This has now been put on hold due, due to winds being above a safe operating level for helicopters. Heavy rain and strong winds are forecast today.

Today we'll hear two tracks from a killer collection spotlighting "The Lost Queen of New Orleans Soul" Betty Harris, followed by raucous power pop action from Rangiora's Best Bets and some prime UK lover's rock from Dennis Bovell/ African Stone.

Today on Newstalk ZB Canterbury Mornings, Tyler Adams spoke to Gemma McCaw following the news that St George Hospital will be closing its maternity services, many for many Canterbury women it may mean a trip to Rolleston or Rangiora to give birth.Gemma spoke about her experiences at St George with her two babies, and just how important it is to keep access available for the welfare of mothers and their families.LISTEN ABOVE

A high-profile business leader and one of two blokes cycling the length of NZ to raise awareness and funds for charities that support men's health. Bikes For Blokes has raised $124k out of its $200k goal and spent last night in Cheviot, aiming for Rangiora today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The anti-vaxxers are looking more and more desperate by the day. And they've reached a new low this week, here in Canterbury anyway, setting up their pathetic protests outside some primary schools at drop-off and pick-up time. I say pathetic for several reasons. First, when you think about it, these clowns have fallen into the same trap they think those of us who have been vaccinated have fallen into. They've been sucked-in by stupid conspiracy theories - just like they think we've been sucked-in by the Government and the pro-vaccination messages. And second - how dare they stick their signs and nasty messages in the faces of children as young as five? I've seen photos of some of the placards they were holding up outside one school in Rangiora yesterday. Here's what some of the signs said:  “Don't risk your kids” “Risk your child's life, no way” “Kids at risk from Covid jab”Another sign said “Remember Thalidomide” - which was the drug given out in the late 1950s and early 1960s to help people sleep and deal with morning sickness. Which, as we now know, also caused harm to unborn children. For me, that “thalidomide” sign is probably the most hysterical - but that's what these types do. They create imaginary links between the thing they're protesting against and some historical piece of nastiness. The other one they love to trot out is saying the vaccine mandates are like Nazi Germany. They are just offensive these idiots and they've got no limits - and setting up camp outside schools in Canterbury this week is further proof. And, as far as I'm concerned, calling them “idiots” is quite generous on my part - but you get the gist of how I feel about them. Apparently, there were even police outside one school in North Canterbury yesterday - and we understand at least one school reported them to the police. Now don't think for a minute that I'm anti-protest. I'm not. But I will never tolerate protest action that targets children, and makes them scared and upset. Because that's what happened here. A report I read this morning quoted a parent at one school who said the kids were scared walking past this lot. Here's what they told our newsroom: “It's the lowest of the lows bringing kids into it, at their safe place.” And I couldn't agree more. It is the lowest of the low. It is despicable. Especially at the start of the new school year, when we're being told that Omicron is about to run rampant, and when we know there is already anxiety about the kids going back into the classrooms. And when we also know that there are parents doing the drop-offs and pick-ups who will be dealing with vaccine conflict in their own families - and when we know kids will already be dealing with anti-vax messages in the playground and classrooms. Someone I spoke to this morning said a child at one of the schools where these protesters have been this week has had other kids telling them that their parents are going to die because they've had the vaccine - and then they walk out the gate and see these turkeys. Not to mention the parents themselves, some of whom will be struggling with the idea of their kids getting the jab. Because, as we know, making a decision for yourself is completely different than making a decision for someone else. And when that someone else is your own child - well, the last thing you need is a bunch of conspiracy theorists with time on their hands making you feel like a bad parent. I cannot see how any one of these people can think holding up these nasty signs outside schools in Canterbury this week is the right thing to do. The kids don't deserve this, nor do their parents, nor do the schools - and they shouldn't be there. Go back home and get back on the internet. Put simply, what these people are doing makes my blood boil. 

There is no doubt that the roles that we play have and are changing.  How can they not?  Navigating the shift in vibrational realities means that who we are inevitably must shift.  As more people wake up to their own energy consciousness and realise that they are energetic in nature, who they are and what they want to experience is also awakened. So I ask myself if millions of people are waking up and seeking these questions, who are they asking them of and what is it like for the person who is carrying all of this energy every single day? This week's guest is that someone.  Larina Tiffen-Fuller is a Visionary, Priestess, Activator, Author, Medium, La Dame Blanche and a woman that gets shit done. She is the Founder and Owner of the award winning Miss Lilly's Catering and Priestess Lilly. Through her work as a Priestess, she holds space for clients and activates them to start the journey to truly embrace their pathway home to self. She hosts a radio show/podcast at Plains FM Canterbury, where her intention is to hold space for thought activating conservations with heart centred leaders, wisdom keepers and divine humans. Her hope for her radio show is to help her listeners to expand into their authenticity, soul purpose, with the overall goal to help activate humanity's consciousness to rise. Larina has many more crystals in her crown. She is a trained counsellor, Beautiful YOU  life coach, spellcaster, manifesting queen, channeller of other divine frequencies and seeker of the unknown. She lives with her husband Kristian aka Nugget, and their son Thomas in Aotearoa - New Zealand, in a countryside town called Rangiora. This is where she feels deeply grounded. As you will hear in this episode Lilly, works with people with their awakening experience and you can connect with her at her website https://www.priestesslilly.com

A Canterbury couple has been beavering away for four years in secret at a small farm near Rangiora to grow a delicacy that fetches up to $3000 per kilogram. Of course, you can guess what it is - truffles.... Matthew and Catherine Dwan of the NZ Truffle Company, have been building nurseries and greenhouses to become this country's first large-scale truffle producer. Bryan talks to Matthew about the operation.

299 - Hope in Bubbles - Toni OBeirne in Rangiora joins Samuel Mann in Saywers Bay and Mawera Karetai in Whakatāne. With a contribution from Tahu Mackenzie. This show was broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin - oar.org.nz

It's all hands on deck in the north Canterbury town of Rangiora as volunteers race to replace one hundred traps washed away in last month's floods. They are crucial in defending some of the world's most endangered braided river birds from pests such as rats, stoats and hedgehogs. As Conan Young reports, it's a race against time, with many birds returning to Ashley River to lay their eggs in just four weeks' time.

It's all hands on deck in the north Canterbury town of Rangiora as volunteers race to replace one hundred traps washed away in last month's floods. They are crucial in defending some of the world's most endangered braided river birds from pests such as rats, stoats and hedgehogs. As Conan Young reports, it's a race against time, with many birds returning to Ashley River to lay their eggs in just four weeks' time.

Belinda Willis is the owner & director of GeoSync Land Surveying and Spatial Solutions a small company in NEW PLYMOUTH New Zealand. Belinda has been in the Surveying Industry for 30 years and is a licenced Surveyor. She grew up on the south island about half an hour north of Christchurch in a town called Rangiora. Growing up Belinda wanted to be a nurse. She has dabbled in teaching yoga from a studio at home and also completing ski instructor training. At one point Belinda attended teachers college part time as she thought she wanted to teach maths. Today we talk about forensic photogrammetry, rebuilding of Christchurch, technology, field notes (old school & new) & challenges within the business & industry. Belinda is an open and honest woman who has dealt with mental health issues, and has over the years learnt to manage it & look after her self. As part of her self love journey, Belinda enjoys the outdoors snow skiing & mountain biking and recently completed a 1060km bike ride across the North Island of New Zealand - called the Kōpikō Challenge. You can find Belinda & her company on these social media platforms https://www.facebook.com/geosync.co.nz/ https://instagram.com/geosyncltd?igshid=bai2n3o76utg https://www.linkedin.com/in/belinda-willis-06a55a3b/ Belinda supports Hands On at Otago - Taranaki Student Scholarships

Canterbury residents are being urged to remain on high alert following evacuations to parts of the region today. The extent of flooding and heavy rain gobsmacked North Canterbury locals - as people living near rivers were told to leave and go to higher ground. The Waimakariri District Mayor met with Acting Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi in Rangiora ready to act after a state emergency was declared in Canterbury. Eleisha Foon was there.

A church in Rangiora has become a base for those evacuating flooding in North Canterbury. Rangiora Baptist Church executive pastor Jan De Lange has been checking in on those at the church. He spoke to Susie Ferguson.

All about health and the importance of healthy bodies to improve business performance

ELITE : SIX Think Tank meetings are discussed over ZOOM with our members every Friday at 9:30am.Facilitated by DANNY : DE HEK meetings are recorded for our Podcast, we’ve been doing this since COVID-19 if you’re interested in joining in with us check out our Website.DANNY : DE HEK: [00:00:00] Welcome to another think tank meeting with WHAT : DE HEK podcast. I'm your host, Danny de Hek today we'll be discussing advertising value our meet will consist of four parts people's experiences, people's problems, some solutions. Yeah, some takeaways from today's meeting. Joining me today will be ELITE : SIX members. So sit back, relax, get yourself a cup of coffee and come and join the meeting with me. Good morning, everyone. Nice to have you here with us today. We've got another smashing topic. This one's called advertising value, and we've had a little bit of the pre-trade a pre-chat before the meeting started and we reckon we can give you guys some value on how to get the. best value out of your advertising dollar. So we're just introduce people that here today. We'll start with Lachlan would you like to introduce yourself. Yeah.Lachlan McNeill: [00:00:51] Lachlan McNeil. I have a company called Acorva technical recruitment, which surprisingly enough does technical recruitment engineers, architects, the likes. And I also have a brand called earn your crust, which is all about the Wiki and world of work and small business.DANNY : DE HEK: [00:01:07] Thank you, David Clarkson.David Clarkson: [00:01:10] Hi, my name's David Clarkson. I'm from dynamic communication. We are public speaking skills specialists and trainers and presentation skills. We build more confident what competent more credible communicates.DANNY : DE HEK: [00:01:27] Thank you. PaulPaul Starling: [00:01:28] Paul Starling from Canterbury  Computer Service out in Rangiora and we help small businesses with there it solutions.See Full TXT Script at https://www.dehek.com/general/podcast/advertising-value-how-to-calculate-equivalency-experiences-problems-and-solutions P.S. If you like this podcast please click “like” or provide comment, as that will motivate me to publish more. Would you like the opportunity to be featured on the WHAT : DE HEK podcast? You are welcome to INVITE YOURSELF to be a guest.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dehek)

Today on the show we heard how Thane struggles with the Merge Like A Zip road law, and talked about his health issues. Plus Kiwis League captain Adam Blair, and our Poo Town of the week is Rangiora.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.