Tai Tapu Times - Autumn 2022

Tai Tapu

Times

Tai Tapu Community Association Newsletter - Issue 1

Autumn 2022

Walkway Stage One Complete By way of Introduction Welcome to the first issue of Tai Tapu Times, a newsletter from the Tai Tapu Community Association (TTCA).

It is proposed the newsletter is published quarterly to promote and publicise the work of the TTCA and support community activities, largely centered on improving the district, advancing issues with regional and national authorities and running stories of general interest.

Development of the planned Tai Tapu walkway is well underway, with the first section, from the Church to Rhodes Park, now complete.

The long-term plan is for a walkway encircling the whole of Rhodes Park with connectivity back to the village either via the sealed footpath or the river walkway.

The Tai Tapu Community Association in collaboration with the Selwyn District Council has been working on developing the walkway, the completion of which is now assured with funding committed for stages two and three over the next two years.

Much of the success in the first stage is due to McCarthy Contracting and Ralph Ogg who have contributed significantly, and to the Tai Tapu School which has been actively involved in restoration planting alongside the track.

Stage 2 involves further upgrading of the walking surface, and design and delivery of the walkway along the front of the Golf Club and an associated bridge over the Halswell River. The goal is to have this substantially complete this year.

If you have not yet taken the time to walk the completed stage please do as it is a great community asset.

We’ve also included a listing of local community organisations, clubs and businesses. No doubt we’ve missed a few so please don’t be offended if we’ve missed your club or business - just send us a note with corrections or omissions so we can constantly update and improve the list.

We also invite contributions and suggestions for the newsletter; you can send them to us at: taitapu.cai@selwyn.govt.nz Read on, we hope you enjoy our first issue.

Tai Tapu Times Page 1

“Three Roads” Fibre Lay Community initiative results in ultra-fast fibre for residents previously out of the loop Poor cell phone coverage and a sub-optimal copper wire broadband network will soon be a thing of the past for residents of the Old Tai Tapu Road and its two tributaries, Early Valley Road and Holmes Road (the “Three Roads”).

Fed up with poor internet speeds (at best) a group of “interested” residents on the Three Roads, led by Paul Elliot, began discussions with Chorus in late 2020 with the aim of getting fibre laid on a similar basis to those in the “Otahuna Loop” who had earlier managed to negotiate.

Through a combination of a flyer, “walking the road” and email drops, a Steering Committee was formed, basically comprising two representatives from each of the Three Roads, and negotiations ensued.

Due to the length and the number of residents on the Three Roads, the project was considerably more complex than the earlier “Otahuna Loop”, that complexity amplified by Chorus’s requirement that the residents’ contract directly with the trenching contractor – leading to the potential need for a legal contracting entity, liability issues and funding issues. Complex, expensive and uncertain!

It was then something of a relief when the Steering Committee was contacted by ultra-fast broadband provider Enable, which has undertaken the fibre lay in Christchurch and parts of Waimakariri and Selwyn, indicating an interest in becoming involved in rural fibre lays.

What followed, after discussion, was that Enable made a “turn-key” offer, whereby they would manage the full process of the proposed fibre lay, including the trenching and the connection from the road to each house (subject to a distance limitation), and would contract with each individual resident for a contribution payment of less than $2,000 per resident.

From there, a deal was reasonably rapidly struck and those who travel the Three Roads will see Enable and its trenching contractor currently laying the fibre. It’s hard to miss those big drums with the red ultra-fast cabling!

Of course, getting fibre to a semi-rural area is not as simple as its urban equivalents. Many homes are some distance from the road boundary which makes connection from the fibre backbone laid from the road “challenging” on occasion. The solution in this case was that Enable is undertaking the first 200 metres of the connection from the road at their cost with the funding of the additional distance to be the subject of individual discussion between that resident and Enable.

The other condition of the project was that commitments were needed from not fewer than 120 residents to be connected, requiring a great deal of work by various members of the Steering Committee and others, in chasing down the commitments of residents.

Very soon the Three Roads will have fibre broadband, a real tribute to the foresight and commitment of local community members and the Steering Committee. A real community success story.

Story by Paul Elliot and Anthony Butcher Tai Tapu Times Page 2

State Highway 75:

Speed Limit Change Decision Delayed A final decision on a proposal to reduce the maximum speed limit from 100kph to 80 km on state highway 75 between Halswell and Akaroa has been deferred due to “unforeseen delays”. The decision which was due to be announced in February is now expected in May. Contractor supply chain issues related to Covid are given as the reason.

The proposal by Waka Kotahi, New Zealand’s Land Transport Authority, for the reduction in the speed limit received widespread opposition.

Of concern to the TTCA was the planned speed limit reduction on the straight road sections between Halswell and Tai Tapu, particularly given that data provided by Waka Kotahi failed to demonstrate crash prevalence or risk on that section of the road. It showed that just 10% of crashes on SH75 are attributed to loss of control on straight areas and 7.5% to speed.

While the justification from Waka Kotahi for the changes included the increased number of residents and the lack of safe run-off areas, no

evidence was provided by Waka Kotahi’s safety engineer to support this.

The Selwyn District Council argued that the limit should remain at 100kph to ensure traffic flow given that the maximum speed on most secondary roads has already been reduced to 80kph.

During an “engagement” process in mid 2021, Waka Kotahi recorded a key theme from more than 800 comments being that most wanted the 100kph limit retained between Halswell and Little River with “strong opposition” to lowering the speed limit between Halswell and Tai Tapu.

The Tai Tapu Community Association (TTCA) exists to support the Tai Tapu community, it’s activities include promoting, improving and protecting the district and its environment, and acting as an interface with local and national authorities.

The TTCA Committee is: Chair: Anthony Butcher Secretary: Pauline Hayes Treasurer: Vacant Committee members: John Ryan Sebastian Wilberforce Rose Spijkerman Marty Braithwaite Grant Miller Committee meetings in 2022 will be held on: Wednesday 20 April Monday 20 June Monday 15 August Monday 17 October (in conjunction with the AGM) Monday 28 November Reminders, with venue, will be notified beforehand on the TTCA Facebook page: facebook.com/taitapucommunity To join or support the TTCA, please contact the Secretary, Email: taitapu.cai@selwyn.govt.nz

Contact Us

Tai Tapu Times The Tai Tapu Library has its bulk loan book selection from Lincoln Library and an extensive permanent selection of New Zealand books and literature covering all interests and ages Library hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 2pm-4pm Saturday 10am - 12 noon Masks are still required for entry to the Library Pop in and and enjoy the ambience of Tai Tapu’s Heritage Library

Email: taitapu.cai@selwyn.govt.nz Contributions: Anthony Butcher, Paul Elliot, Pauline Hayes and Grant Miller.

Edit & design: Marty Braithwaite Contributions welcome.

Tai Tapu Times will be produced quarterly in April, June, September and December.

Tai Tapu Times Page 3

Catching up on Council News With your Springs Ward Councillor, Grant Miller The Community Association have asked me to update you on upcoming events and issues from the Selwyn District Council.

ANZAC day will be held on 25th April. The march starts at the school at 8.45am and the service at 9.00am at the Cenotaph. Unfortunately due to Covid we are unable to have refreshments at the school afterwards.

You will have recently received notice of your 3-yearly property revaluations.

Given the steep increase in property values this may have raised concern for you that your rates will also increase steeply. This should not be so unless your property has increased in

value greater than the average rise in Selwyn. Currently it appears that the likely rates increase for the coming year will be somewhere around 6%.

As you are aware with your own household budget his is driven by rapidly increasing costs particularly in fuel, material and labour costs.

3 waters reform is still a contentious issue both in Selwyn and nationally.

Whilst some communities do have issues with under investment and poor quality infrastructure Selwyn is not one of them.

A programme of investment in new assets and timely renewal has Selwyn well placed to face the future. I am

particularly concerned at the likely cost to Selwyn ratepayers of being forced to join the new Water Services Entity. One of the key assets of our current system is the ability of local residents to have direct and meaningful influence over their water services.

Our water charges are amongst the lowest in New Zealand for the services provided and it appears that Selwyn ratepayers will wear the brunt of other communities under-investment through higher water services fees under the current reform proposal.

Get-together with your neighbours Anyone who lives in a Selwyn neighbourhood district is eligible to apply for funding of up to $75 for a Meet Your Street gathering.

The fund is open year-round so this is a great opportunity to bring your neighbours together fro a street-based social event.

For more information please email: meetyourstreet@selwyn.govt.nz

Budding App Designer Needed Tai Tapu may be Canterbury’s best kept secret, but even best kept secrets need documenting and the TTCA is hoping to record some local history through an App whereby visitors and locals alike can follow a digital footprint mapping notable places and events.

To that end, we are looking for a budding designer who can help us develop a suitable basic App (both ios and android).

Anyone able to assist might like to drop us a line at: taitapu.cai@selwyn.govt.nz

Selwyn is growing rapidly and the smaller towns we used to know are now rapidly becoming urban centres. This has required not only significant infrastructure but also planning for how our future might look under this new growth model.

Key considerations have been preservation of both environmental and community assets whilst enhancing usability where possible.

Transport both private and public is increasingly an issue with congestion and accessibility concerns.

Selwyn District Council and Ecan have recognized this and are working on upgraded public transport provision including looking to the future around mass rapid transport. Key commuter routes are being enhanced, particularly around the southern motorway. These plans are being integrated with future urban planning as well through the District Plan Review underway.

Tai Tapu Times Page 4

What’s in a name?

Tai Tapu, Taitapu or Wai Tapu?

Gerald Carter The Tai Tapu Community Association was saddened to recently lose long term member and former Chair, Gerald Carter, to leukaemia.

Gerald joined the Community Association 14 years ago and immediately threw himself into enlivening and enhancing our community.

As is often with people who move into Tai Tapu, Gerald recognized the natural beauty here and the opportunity to enhance it. He was often to be found kayaking on the Halswell River and had a keen interest in the environment.

He was a passionate member of the Little River Rail Trail Trust 2014-17 and loved nothing better than to take an idea from inception to delivery.

His background as an architect enabled him to participate meaningfully with the community-led project to build a new Community Centre in Rhodes Park.

As Chair of the Community Association, Gerald was a modernizing force and one of his legacies will be the development of the Tai Tapu Walkway alongside the Halswell River (Stage 1 is already operational from the Church to Rhodes Park).

Our sympathies are with Gerald’s partner Marilyn and family in their loss.

Hon Mention for Rossendale Wines

The name Tai Tapu is mostly understood to translate into English as sacred water, a reference to what the Cyclopedia of New Zealand describes as the “serpentine sluggish” Halswell River as it winds its way along the north side of the village and then loops around Rhodes park.

There are other views too - some conjecture is that the name derives from Wai Tapu, given that the Maori word Tai refers to the seacoast as distinct from Wai, the literal translation of water. Wai, it seems, might have been more fitting!

Others refer to the name being an obsolete reference to the river being the boundary of the local Iwi, and another view, to it referring to a ceremony to remove tapu from the river loop.

Whatever the true history or interpretation, the town was officially known by the singular word of Taitapu until 2009 when the New Zealand Geographical Board approved a change to the current and correct Tai Tapu.

At the last census in 2018, the population of Tai Tapu was 1173.

Many readers will have seen the excellent British political thriller television series “House of Cards” based on the novels of English author Michael Dobbs.

While the setting of Dobbs’ novels may be almost 20,000 kilometres away in the hallowed halls of London’s Houses of Parliament, it is not too far for a local wine to receive a right honourable mention!

Clearly Tai Tapu wine travels well, for in one of Dobbs’ stories, Goodfellowe MP, he refers to the crowning moment of a lunch on the terrace of the Palace of Westminster being a bottle of cooled Rossendale Chardonnay, describing it as a wonderful New Zealand confection of gooseberries and cream with a hint of corn.

A wonderful confection it may be, but equally wonderful to receive such praise in a distant novel.

Tai Tapu Times Page 5

Tai Tapu

Community Directory Community Organisations and Services

Tai Tapu Netball

Tai Tapu Community Association

Phone: 021 062 4978

The Association works for the benefit of the Tai Tapu community, including promotingand advancing the interests of the local community.

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/ category/Sports-Club/Tai-TapuNetball-1276865252438454

Rhodes Park Domain

Get listed

Facebook: facebook.com/ taitapucommunity

It’s free!

Email: taitapu.cai@selwyn.govt.nz

Tai Tapu Library The Tai Tapu library is volunteer-run and from which all Selwyn District members can borrow books.

846 Old Tai Tapu Road

Is your organisation, business or club missing from our directory and you want to be included?

Send us details, with a short description and relevant information.

Phone:

03 329 6021

Any omissions are entirely accidental, so you can forgive us and get listed!

Hours:

Tues, Thurs 2.00 – 4.00pm Sat 10.00am -12.00pm

Just drop us a line at:

Web: everythingselwyn.co.nz/listing/ view?id=587

taitapu.cai@selwyn.govt.nz

Sport and Recreation

Tai Tapu Community Centre located within Rhodes Park and has a variety of affordable venue spaces for hire (capacity between 30 and 550) .

Tai Tapu’s 9-hole course is compact, picturesque, and well set up course for golfers of all abilities.

Tai Tapu Golf Club

Phone : 03 347 1866

The clubhouse and bar is open most days during normal working hours.

Web: eservices.selwyn.govt.nz/facilities/ facility/tai-tapu-community-centre

Rhodes Park Domain Phone:

Tai Tapu Locals Community Group

Web: taitapugolf.co.nz

The Locals Community Facebook group is open to Tai Tapu residents and businesses by application. The page carries tons of local information, messages and promotes local businesses.

Waihora Rugby Club

Facebook: facebook.com/ groups/1965034207108082

Tai Tapu Cricket Rhodes Park Domain Phone:

03 329 6044

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/category/ Sports---Recreation/Tai-Tapu-CricketClub-1522436728039297

Tai Tapu Lawn Bowls Club Rhodes Park Domain President: Tim Pavey Phone:

0274 350 765

Tai Tapu Garden Club

Tai Tapu Community Centre

722 Old Tai Tapu Road

Web: sporty.co.nz/taitapunetball

03 329-6710

Contact: Jacqui Veint Phone: 021 185 7144 Email: secretary@waihora.co.nz Web: sporty.co.nz/waihorarfc

Tai Tapu Tennis Contact: Belinda Edmond Phone:

021 337 421

Web: sporty.co.nz/taitaputennis

Meets 3rd Monday of each month.

Phone:

03 322-9252

Email: b.beattie@xtra.co.nz

Special Interest Sculpture Gardens The Tai Tapu Sculpture Garden is an evolving sculpture garden and native regeneration project.

Open by appointment outside of the Annual Autumn Exhibition held over the first three weekends in March.

1/199 Cossars Road Entry:

$10, free to under 16s

Phone:

03 329 6662

Web: taitapusculpturegarden

Hospitality Tai Tapu Hotel (The Tap) “The Tap” has a proud history with strong ties to the community. It offers kiwi hospitality with bars, a restaurant with a good food and beverage selection, TAB outlet and a great outdoor area, including a children’s play area and function room.

780 Old Tai Tapu Road Phone:

03 329 6819

Restaurant: Tues - Sun12.00pm - 9.00pm Bar:

Mon 3.00pm – Late, Tues 12.00pm – Late Weds - Sun 11.00am – Late

Facebook: facebook.com/ taitapuhotelrestaurant Web: taitapuhotel.com Tai Tapu Times Page 6

The Store@Tai Tapu

Produce and Markets

Local Businesses

The Store provides a blend of food, coffee, wine and giftware, and promotes local producers and artists.

General Post

Challenge Service Station For petrol and workshop servicing, trailer hire, LPG swap and food and drinks.

Phone 03 329 6753

Fresh produce, including organic, local cheeses, and dairy products, local small goods. Plus a takeaway cafe selling artisan breads, pastries, slices.

Open 7 days for breakfast and lunch.

690 Christchurch Akaroa Rd

Hours:

Hours:

687 Christchurch Akaroa Road

Mon - Fri 7:30am-4:30pm

Mon - Fri 7.00am to 2.30pm

Facebook: facebook.com/ thestoretaitapu/?ref=aymt_homepage_ panel

Facebook: facebook.com/GeneralPost-103787678895786

Web: thestoretaitapu.com

Brown Acres Microgreens

The Raspberry Café

Organic microgreen superfoods grown in Tai Tapu and delivered fresh. Order from their on line shop, address below.

Rhodes Road

Phone:

03 3296834

Hours:

Mon to Fri 7.00am-7.00pm Sat to Sun 8.00am-6.00pm

Sat 7.00am to 2.00pm

Sat - Sun 8:30am-4:30pm

The Raspberry Café prides itself on good, homemade, delicious and satisfying food in a picturesque setting that is comfortable, peaceful and a lovely dining experience for everyone.

Cnr Main Akaroa Highway & School Road

Facebook: facebook.com/brownacresnz Web: brownacres.nz

Gatewood Market

Public holidays 8.00am-6.00pm Web: challenge.net.nz/Challenge-stations/ Station/challenge-tai-tapu

Tai Tapu Tyres Supplier and fitter of quality tyres 733 Christchurch Akaroa Road Phone:

03 3296767

Hours:

Mon-Fri 8.00am to 5.00pm

Facebook: facebook.com/taitaputyresnz

Tai Tapu Mowers

Daily - Nov to Feb

Tai Tapu’s local market, open with around 60 stall on the third Sunday of the month during spring and summer

Weds to Sun - March to Oct

788 Old Tai Tapu Rd

Tai Tapu Mowers sells and services a range mowers, chain saws and line trimmers. It’s hire shop has a wide range implements.

(03) 3296 979

Phone: 027 503 8704

689 Christchurch Akaroa Highway

Facebook: facebook.com/TheRaspberryCafe

Hours: 10.00am – 2.00pm

Phone:

03 329 6800

Web: raspberrycafe.co.nz/

Facebook: facebook.com/gatewoodmarket

Hours:

Mon - Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm

The Bicycle Thief

Tai Tapu Milk Company

The Bicycle Thief offers Italian cuisine utilising traditional Italian products and recipes paired with beautiful fresh New Zealand-grown produce.

The Tai Tapu Milk Company sells fresh raw milk, free range eggs and fresh vegetables.

Hours:

Phone:

9.00am - 4.30pm

136 Old Tai Tapu Rd, Christchurch Hours:

Tues to Fri, 11.30am-2.00pm and 5.00pm to close Sat and Sun, 9.30am -3.00pm and 5.00pm to close

Facebook: facebook.com/ thethiefoftastebuds Web: thebicyclethiefnz.com

573 Old Tai Tapu Road

Sat 8.00am - 12.00pm Web: taitapumowers.co.nz

Love Craft Atelier

Phone:

027 620 5451

Love Craft Atelier is a collaborative studio specialising in individualised tattooing.

Hours:

Mon, Weds, Fri 10.00am - 1.00pm

688a Christchurch Akaroa Road

Facebook: facebook.com/TaiTapuMilkCo

Phone:

027 344-4090

Flowers in a Box

Hours:

Tues to Fri by appointment

Fresh cut flowers deloghfully presented and deliverd to your door.

Web: lovecraftatelier.com

Phone:

027 607 6004

Facebook: facebook.com/Flowers-in-abox-2013045085614941 Web: flowersinabox.co.nz

Generation Homes Residential home construction, with its design hub right here in the village 688 Christchurch Akaroa Road Phone:

021 840 088

Hours

Mon - Fri 10.00am -4.00pm

Web: generation.co.nz/christchurch Facebook: facebook.com/ GenerationHomesNZ

S.O. at Home in the Country S.O. at Home is an exquisite homeware gallery specialising in French and Nordicinfluenced vintage treasures.

82 Otahuna Rd Phone:

0274 518 807

Hours:

Sat & Sun 11.00am -5.00pm

Facebook: facebook.com/ SOathomeinthecountry Web: so-at-home-in-the-country.business. site/#gallery Tai Tapu Times Page 7

A Little R&R

Rossendale Wines

Tai Tapu Lodge

Sports and Therapeutic, and Pregnancy Massage nestled in ten acres of countryside.

Rossendale not only produces wine, but is a stunning venue for weddings, events and conferences, catering for up to 150 guests. Rossendale grapes are processed

by Spring Creek Vintners and their wine can be brought locally at their cellar door.

The Tai Tapu Lodge has been developed within a heritage coach stop and creamery on a 12-acre property situated just outside Tai Tapu village.

Main Christchurch Akaroa Highway 4kms North of Tai Tapu Phone:

021 115 4504

Hours:

Tues & Thurs 11.30am - 6.30pm Sat 11.30am - 5.00pm

Facebook: facebook.com/alittlerandr Web: alittlerandr.co.nz Engine

100 Old Tai Tapu Rd Phone:

03 322 7780

Hours:

Mon to Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm

Facebook: facebook.com/ Rossendalevineyard/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Reconditioning Services

Web: rossendale.co.nz

Engine & Engineering Requirements.

Workmanship guaranteed by qualified tradies.

Cossars Wineshed

28 School Rd Hours: Mon to Fri - 8.00am - 5.00pm Phone:

03 329 6912

Email: ers@slingshot.co.nz

AJ Films

Cossars Wineshed caters for functions and weddings of up to 110 people. Its facilities include a high-ceilinged dining area with an unbeatable outdoor courtyard in front, lawns and a rose garden, and a vineyard!

29 Cossars Road Phone:

027 2536040

Hours:

Sun to Thurs 9:00am - 11:30pm

AJ Films offers line-production and production support for photo and film projects across New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Island.

Facebook: facebook.com/cossarswineshed

PO Box 236, Tai Tapu

Accommodation

Phone:

021 220 1022

Web: ajfilms.co.nz

The Loft The Loft is a preloved clothing boutique selling beautiful clothing and accessories on a 50/50 consignment basis.

Fri and Sat 9:00am - 12:00am Web: cossars.co.nz

Saints of Tai Tapu Saints of Tai Tapu is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and tasteful former church restorations and available for short stay accommodation or intimate events.

68 Lincoln Tai Tapu Rd

93 Cossars Road

Phone:

Hours: Thurs to Sat 10.00am to 3.00pm

Facebook: facebook.com/Saints-of-TaiTapu-316545528955660

Phone:

0272980087

Facebook: facebook.com/watch/ loftboutiqueTaiTapu

027 622 7995

Web: saintstaitapu.co.nz

766 Christchurch Akaroa Road Phone: 021 635 375 Web: taitapulodge.com

Waipuna Estate Waipuna Estate is the ultimate wedding venue, providing luxury wedding venue package solutions with accommodation onsite.

131 Gerkins Road Phone: 027 308 5036 Facebook: facebook.com/waipunaestate Web: waipunaestate.nz

Education Tai Tapu School Tai Tapu School has a long and proud tradition of country education, which combines the benefits of a rural position with all the opportunities of current educational practice.

Cnr Main Akaroa Highway and School Road Phone:

03 329 6796

Hours:

Mon to Fri 8.30am to 3.15pm

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TaiTapuSchool Web: taitapu.school.nz/Home

Active Explorers Active Explorers is an inspirational place of pre-school education that nurtures and celebrates enquiring minds.

Otahuna Lodge

8 School Rd Phone:

Specialising in Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, Cross Hares Wines are members of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

New Zealand’s largest private residence Otahuna Lodge provides luxury accommodation and sophisticated cuisine set among 30 acres of historic gardens nestled in the foothills to the East of Tai Tapu.

7/1269 Christchurch Akaroa Road

224 Rhodes Road

Phone:

0277243015

Phone:

Hours:

11.00am - 7.00pm daily

Facebook: facebook.com/otahuna

The Tai Tapu Playcentre welcome families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Their tamariki get the opportunity to learn and explore in a fun and safe environment.

Web: otahuna.co.nz

815 Old Tai Tapu Road

Wineries Cross Hares Wines

Facebook: facebook.com/Cross-HaresWine-230040657912098 Web: crosshares.nz

03 329 6333

03 329 6507

Web: activeexplorers.co.nz/locations/taitapu

Tai Tapu Playcentre

Phone:

03 329 6389

Hours:

Mon to Fri 9:15am -12.15pm

Facebook: facebook.com/taitapuplaycentre Web: playcentre.org.nz/centre/tai-tapu

Churches St Paul’s, Tai Tapu 844 Old Tai Tapu Road, Tai Tapu Service Time: Sunday 10:00am Web: lincolnanglican.org/tai-tapu Tai Tapu Times Page 8