TURNING TEN

One of the district’s most popular facilities is celebrating ten years of making a splash in Selwyn.

The Selwyn Aquatic Centre is marking ten years since it opened on June 24th, 2013. The opening was highly anticipated with queues to buy pool passes before the Centre even opened.

It quickly became one of the district’s most popular facilities, with more than three million visits made to the Centre since it opened, and visitor numbers topping 450,000 visits in the past twelve months.

The Swim School has also seen steady growth, from 1,400 children taking lessons each term when the Centre opened to around 3,300 enrolled each term currently, while the Centre’s wide variety of aqua fitness classes for all ages draw over 10,000 visits a year.

“The Centre is a huge long-term asset to the community,” commented Council Chief Executive

David Ward

“It’s been good to see the steady growth in numbers across all the different programmes and services at the Centre. The community has embraced Selwyn Aquatic and it’s been a solid investment for the future of our young and growing community.”

The Centre is fully accredited through the Poolsafe Quality Management Scheme and has hosted Swim Canterbury swim meets, scuba diving clubs, sports clubs and teams, physiotherapists and their clients, and Burwood Hospital patients and disability groups. Over the years, it has also been used for fun nights, pool discos and sports, as well as teaching swimming, exercise classes, sensory time for kids, inflatable fun and more. With the popularity of the Centre growing rapidly, it expanded in 2021, with a new ten lane 25-metre pool significantly increasing capacity for the Centre, along with upgrades to the main pool, changing facilities and foyer and staff space. “When the Council decided to build the Selwyn Aquatic Centre it was an ambitious, forwardthinking decision. It’s great to see the joy that it’s brought to so many people over the past ten years and all the joy it will bring for many more,” David concluded.

The Selwyn District Council would like to thank the original sponsors who helped raise $1.4 million to support the building of the Selwyn Aquatic Centre.

NICOLA GRIGG - OPINION PIECE

Last week, was a big one on the agricultural calendar with Fieldays at Mystery Creek and, locally, the Fisher’s annual bull sale in Motukarara, both showcasing the best and brightest of what this fantastic industry has to offer.

The week provided a great platform for National to launch the second tranche of our agricultural policy, which is designed to let farmers get back to the job of farming. A job they’ve been doing incredibly well, given we all learnt recently our agri export earnings have reached a record $56 billion. But in announcing that number, MPI was also quick to point out that the figure has been inflated by, well, inflation, on the back of extremely high input costs driven by a Government that just cannot rein in unnecessary spending.

That’s why we are so determined to remove red tape and unnecessary compliance costs that ultimately drive up commodity prices.

New Zealand farmers are among the most carbon efficient in the world. However, currently, there is no technology widely available in New Zealand to reduce methane emissions. That means any environmental costs lumped on farmers will push up food prices or send production overseas to higher emitting countries.

There have been huge developments in technology in recent years, including a methane inhibitor called Bovaer, which has the potential to lower livestock emissions by 30 percent, but it currently faces a four-year approval process in New Zealand despite being approved for use in thirty other countries. National will streamline approval for these types of products. National will give farmers the tools they need to reduce emissions before charging them for their on-farm emissions - by 2030 at the latest.

A National government will help farmers and growers embrace new technology to reduce agricultural emissions and reach New Zealand’s climate change targets. We will remove the ban on gene technology, which will help give farmers the tools they need to reduce methane emissions, such as gene edited crops, feed and livestock. We’re absolutely committed to reaching Net Zero by 2050, but we believe New Zealand’s path to emission reductions in agriculture is through technology, not less production. This policy will give farmers the tools they need to reduce emissions, including recognising on farm sequestration, measuring farm level emissions by 2025 and updating biotech rules. We will ensure we keep agriculture out of the ETS but will implement a fair and sustainable pricing system for on farm agricultural emissions by 2030 at the latest. An independent board - with a power of veto retained by the Ministers of Climate Change and Agriculture - will be established to implement the pricing system. We will also limit the conversion of productive farmland to forestry for carbon farming purposes to protect local communities and food production.

Labour has failed to achieve anything in six years. Labour rejected the He Waka Eke Noa industry proposal to reduce emissions and instead proposed shutting down 20 percent of sheep and beef farms, hitting farmers with a punitive fertiliser tax and sending production overseas to high emitting countries.

New Zealand contributes 0.2 percent to global emissions. National is confident we can reach our climate goals by reducing agricultural emissions without closing down a sector that contributes so much to the New Zealand economy.

A strong agriculture sector means a strong New Zealand economy which will help us to reduce the cost of living, lift incomes and deliver the public services New Zealanders deserve.

Nicola Grigg, Selwyn MP.

To the Editor: Re: Hector Street, Whitecliffs Selwyn Council should hang their heads in shame for wasting our hard earned money on the recent repairs off our street. It was shocking before the repairs and just as bad after.

The grader failed to remove the potholes before spreading several loads of the cheapest, muddiest, roughest and sharpest metal they could find. Several days later, after a little rain, the potholes are back. The street is also our footpath, and the surface is too rough to walk on. To add further insult, grader and truck tyres left deep ruts in the grass. We see hundreds of millions spent in Rolleston, and we have a third world street. The intersection is also nothing for you to be proud of.

The informa on and opinions published are not necessarily those of the Malvern News proprietor. The final approval of le ers for print, rests with the editor. Le ers to the Editor should be no more than 200 words in length. Le ers to the Editor won’t be considered for publica on without the writer’s name (given and surname) and area of residence (not address) also being printed. Le ers wri en using a pseudonym, are unable to be published.

A.J. Horsburgh, Whitecliffs.

The News’ contacted the Council for a reply.

It is disappointing to hear the issues with this work done by our contractor. This work was intended to be a temporary measure as this road is on the schedule for reconstruction as part of our winter maintenance schedule for gravel roads. We will speak to our contractor about this issue Selwyn District Council, Roading Team.

Temporary Ruc Ending

The Government reduced Road User Chargers (RUC) rates by 36% from March 1st to June 30th 2023.

From July 1st, 2023 standard RUC rates will apply.

Waka Kotahi will be auditing and invoicing RUC users for excessive RUC purchases made during the discount period.

Light vehicle owners:

If you bought too many RUC and your current RUC licence will last you past July 31st, 2023, you'll need to buy a new RUC licence in July. Make sure you enter your current distance reading when you buy the new licence, and the system will credit you back any unused RUC.

Heavy vehicle owners:

You must buy a new RUC licence by July 31st, 2023 regardless.

Make sure you enter your current distance reading when you buy the new licence, and the system will credit you back any unused RUC.

How to buy a new licence: You can buy a new licence online or at a RUC agent.

When you enter your current hubodometer or odometer reading, the system will credit you back any unused distance. You must use all of that credit in the same transaction, and your new licence must go past the end distance on your current licence.

Excessive RUC purchases: Waka Kotahi will be checking for any unusual or excessive purchases of discounted RUC. If you bought too many RUC at the discounted rate and haven't bought a new RUC licence by July 31st, 2023, Waka Kotahi can send you an invoice to charge you the standard rate for all of the excessive RUC.

Buying RUC online: When you buy a RUC licence online, you need to change the New start distance field to your current hubodometer or odometer reading and hit the Refresh button.

If you don't change the start distance, your new licence will start at the end of your current licence, and you won't get a credit for any unused distance

Buying RUC at an agent:

If you're buying a RUC licence at an agent, you'll need to make sure you enter your current hubodometer or odometer reading into the second table on the Road user charges application for distance licence form (RUCLA).

If you don't fill in the second table, your new licence will just start at the end of your current licence, and you won't get a credit for any unused distance.

For further information visit: www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/ road-user-charges/road-usercharges-ruc-temporaryreduction-scheme/

Kirwee Club Day

Recently, Kirwee Rugby Football Club held their Club Day which was a fantastic day full of amazing Club spirit.

“A huge thank you to all those that volunteered their time and helped make our Club Day great,” commented Club Captain, Curt Freeman

“The lads and ladies that chipped in throughout the day, we couldn’t have done it without you. Our leader, Toby Messerer and his better half Justine Messerer , planned and executed a great day.

“Thanks to our amazing sponsors, without your support we wouldn’t be the awesome Club we are.

“Adam Dalley and Shaneo Brooker , the grounds looked fantastic, especially wit the Club logo painted on the field. You’ve set a pretty high bar for next year.

“It was a great day of rugby and the barbeque, raffles and Auction helped raise a generous amount for the Club. It’s amazing how this community operates and supports. Thank you,” concluded Curt.

Sheffield Club Day

Last weekend, Sheffield Rugby Club Day went off with a blast! The only fields that saw sunshine the whole day.

“It was an absolutely awesome day, with some outstanding footy played by the kids - and in great Sheffield spirits,” commented Sheffield Rugby Club President, Dan van der Salm.

“Big thanks to all those that helped out, special mentions to Katie Smith for her photography skills, Reece for the sausages, Judd family for the chips, the ladies in the kitchen were awesome all day, the team on the barbeque/chips/shop (some did a big shift!), and to the committee and everyone else that helped out on the day.

“Big thanks to Kirwee Rugby Football Club Division 2 and 3 teams for playing your home games on the high-veldt.

“Also, thanks to Fonterra for supplying the milk for the kids.

“It’s awesome to see what felt like the whole community out watching and supporting the kids, it’s bloody cool and pretty proud of our wee Club,” Dan concluded.

Netball Success

...continued from front page. Karta Hewitt (Broadfield), Lexie Sinclair-Dockerill (Burnham) and Meme Rabitu (Templeton) are playing in the Selwyn Senior Team. Jodi McCarthy-Dempsey (West Melton) was also selected in the U16 team.

The Malvern Senior Mid-Week competition has finished with Kirwee Seniors winning the Competition Cup and the Searle Challenge Shield.

The Saturday Social Grade has six teams involved, all who are enjoying the fun social environment, as well as playing some pretty competitive games. Likewise the Year 7&8 Grade also have six teams vying for the trophies (although emphasis on this Grade is more about learning and practising all the skills required).

The Year 5&6 Grade is also aimed at working on the continued development of fundamental movement and encouraging players to play in all positions.

The Year 1&2 and 3&4 groups play on a Monday afternoon are aimed at developing fundamental movement and ball skills.

This week is National Volunteer Week and Malvern Netball would like to take this opportunity to give a ‘big-shout-out’ to the volunteers that help make the Centre run smoothly.

New Zealand is a nation of volunteers, more than 50 percent of kiwis volunteer, giving time and energy to make a difference in our communities.

TUESDAY 11th JULY

MALVERN ANGLICAN PARISH

Annual Book Fair

Trinity Hall, Darfield 1st- 5th July

Book Fair hours: Sat 1st July 9-3pm, Sun 12-4pm, Mon-Wed 9:30-1:30pm.

Dona ons of books, games & puzzles most welcome. Please leave them inside the foyer at Trinity Church.

Cpwl Environmental Management Fund

2023 funding applications are now being accepted.

This fund was established to enhance the natural environment of the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment. Please see CPWL’s website: www.cpwl.co.nz or email emf@cpwl.co.nz for further information.

Applications close at 5pm Friday 30 June 2023.

6 Friday Evenings

SPORTS RESULTS

Greendale Golf

Results 17th June 2023

Ladies Knockout Final Winner: Dale Macdonald

R/Up: Mary Dewar 4BBB Stableford 1st: D Rutter + L Giles 44 2nd: V Fitzgerald + W Watson

3rd: G Hawker + E Hawker 43

4th: S Hygate + M Parrington 41

Nearest Pins:

#3: D Macdonald #9: W Watson

#13: D Macdonald #17: S Jeffs

Men’s Longest Drive: R Ford

Ladies Longest Drive: C Banks

Ladies Longest Putt: C Banks

Longest Putt: D Mclaren

Two’s: S Jeffs x2, D Macdonald,

D Gibbs, S Johnstone, D Rutter

Hororata Golf

Results 13th June 2023

Cordylea Cup RD5

Canadian Foursome

Cordylea

M Morten / J Morten 74.2

J Whitaker / I McLaughlin 80.6 Tuesday Players S Smith / N Penney 71.8

J Wilson / G Harris 76.8 T / D. Mansbridge 77 .8

LINE DANCING AT OXFORD & DARFIELD

Dancing to a variety of music, exercise, socialising, and travel all in one package. No need for a partner. Suitable for young & old, men & women

Oxford: Oxford Club Monday’s 6 - 8.30 pm.

Darfield: Rec Centre Wednesday’s 6 - 8.30 pm. Bring a friend & start now - first mers please contact first Instructor Jenny Brookes 0274 452 285 Jennybrookes76@gmail.com

Public Notices

To the wonderful team at Darfield Medical Centre, the fantas c District Nurses, the great Dr. Olav and Aaron and the team at Darfield Pharmacy, a very big thank you for looking a er Corrie throughout the years of her illness. It has been very much appreciated.

Rudy Nievwenhuize & Family.

CHURCH NOTICES

Accountants

ARE you wasting your valuable time trying to keep up with accounts? Call us now for hassle-free accounting, tax and business advice - right on your doorstep. Sterling Accountants @ Malvern Business Hub, Ann-Maree 021 215 0981.

AUTOMOTIVE

DARFIELD Automotive, service & warrant centre. 3D wheel aligner. 7:30am - 5:30pm, Monday - Friday. Your one-stop auto shop! Please phone 03 318 8113.

CHURCH NOTICES

Starting Friday 7th July from 7:30pm, at the Kirwee Bowling Club. ($10 for cards plus 2 x raffle tickets & light supper included)

Good fun nights. Give Euchre a try! Enquiries to Robbie 03 318 1710

SPORTS RESULTS

Waimak Golf

Darfield Life Church SUNDAY 25TH JUNE 2023

At 10:30am

Steve & Patience Pona Ph: 022 642 5805 17 North Terrace, Darfield

(L) M TeAwa - (M) D Judson

Nearest to Pin for 1, #8:

(L) L Smith - (M) B Hawkins

Nearest to Pin for 2, #11:

(L) K Bush - (M) A Blatch

Nearest to Pin for 1, #17:

(L) R Pilbrow - (M) A Douglas Longest Putt, #5:

(L) L Smith - (M) G Hamilton

Two’s: R Pilbrow

Nett Eagle, 5: J Pottinger 9 Holes: V Makenzie 14

B Faulkner 11

J Stewart 10

Nearest to Pin for 1, 8/17: Not Struck

Nett Eagle, #11: Not Struck

M Wills /

Wright 75.2

D Annan / A Kenworthy 75.4

Closest to the Pins:

#6: Martin Wills #11: Ivan Palmer

#14: Mike Johnston #17: Simon Edwards

Carpet Carpet

Driveways

LIFESTYLE, farm tracks, yards and dairy lanes our speciality. Screened rotten-rock, it’s local and lasts better. Phone Springfield Quarry on 318 4132.

GARDENING

GARDENING, handyman. All jobs considered. Interior and exterior. Please ph 021 207 0532.

GENERAL garden maintenance in Darfield area. Domestic hedge trimming, pruning & edging. Please ph Kane 027 467 6613.

House To Rent

Lawn Mowing

• Sections

• Kerbsides

• Lifestyle Blocks

Competitive Rates

Free Quotes

Contact Lance Begbie P: 027 432 4533

PAINTING/DECORATING

UDI Painting & Decorating. For all painting & decorating services!

SINGLE lockable rooms in Darfield Hostel. Internet, Sky TV. $180pw. Please phone 027 479 1431 or 318 3660.

SCRAP METAL

WANTED! Amalgamated Scrap Ltd. Buying cars & farm machinery. Specialising in farm clean-ups. Best prices Rod McQuoid - buyer. Please phone either 027 695 0480 or alternatively 0800 030 712.

SHEEP SHEARING

Chimney Cleaning

CARRS Chimney Cleaning. Servicing the Selwyn district. $70 per chimney. Please ph Rodney on 03 324 2999 and leave a message.

CHIM Chim. We'll sweep your logburners flue, check the firebricks, baffles, air-tubes and controls. We're experts on coal-ranges, also sweeping any sized open fire. We quote and undertake repairs, flue extensions and install bird netting. Please phone us on 021 939 113.

Phone 318 1530

FIREWOOD & COAL

DRY split pine. WINZ accredited. 6cm2 $595, free delivery to most areas. Please phone 027 297 7563.

Birchfields

Firewood

Dry, shed stored, na ve wood and kindling.

delivery to Darfield township for orders over 3 cube.

Coal

20kg bags or 500kg bulk bags.

LUCERNE hay. Conventional bales. $10 per bale. Good quality. Shed stored. Available individually or in packs of 21 for bulk purchases. Kirwee area. Phone 318 1964.

LUCERNE hay. Medium squares. Good quality, no rain. $110. Kirwee area. Please phone 027 436 7166.

MEADOW hay, good quality. $10 per bale. Please phone 021 207 0532.

STONE Cottage, 1-2 bedrooms, $550 pw, off street parking, rural West Melton, grazing available. Ph 022 680 8863.

LOCKSMITH Selwyn based 24hr mobile service, keys cut and general lock and safe maintenance. EFTPOS available. Call Locktight Security 021 171 8060.