Headliners

Businesses around Nelson are feeling the bite of a labour shortage, with an inability to find suitable staff in multiple industries. The shortage has left business owners and managers scratching their heads, with no end in sight. Summer Kim, general manager of Kimchi and Wasabi says the opening of their new Richmond shop has been delayed due to the struggle to find staff, while SKT Tanning and Beauty Nelson have closed their doors and others, like Kismet in Nelson, are offering bonuses to entice staff. Huge boost for Richmond’s cycleways

Major road safety improvements are on the way for Richmond with a $2.4 million funding boost from Waka Kotahi. The funds will help to rapidly implement the beginnings of a complete network of safe walking and cycling spaces, which is the foundation of Tasman District Council’s Walking and Cycling Strategy. Over the next two years, the council will create and improve spaces for safer cycling on the main roads that link places where people live with schools, commercial centres and existing cycle trails. New owners for New World Stoke

The Rae family are the proud new owners of New World Stoke and are thrilled to “come home” after almost a year in Kaipoi where they had bought the New World store there. Brendon Rae is a local through and through, he grew up in Stoke, went to school here and then to polytech in Nelson. While working for Fresh Choice Richmond at age 18, he “locked in a passion for groceries.” Brendon says the family are looking forward to being part of and offering support to the local community.

Local creator Gill Saunders is a WOW finalist once again. Gill has been competing in the competition since 2002 and has even been a Supreme Award Winner. Gill says her background in furniture and textile design has served her well over the years and she has enjoyed entering almost every category. Gill’s work for this year is currently being judged, so she can’t share too many details, but she has her fingers crossed that her work will be gracing the stage in Te Whanganui-a-Tara once again. Meadows to get CCTV

Security cameras with the latest number plate identification technology are to be installed in the Meadows development after a spate of thefts. After seeing how effective the installation of cameras was in combatting theft in Brightwater, Meadows resident Pat Lithgow was prompted into action to do the same for his community. He has rallied Richmond Community Patrol and local building companies to organise the $25,000 needed for the cameras and surveillance system. New top police commander welcomed

A new police District Commander, Superintendent Tracey Thompson, Te Aitanga a Hauiti and Ngāti Whakaue, has been welcomed to the Tasman district. Tracey, who joined the police in 1995, is a highly respected member who has held a range of uniformed roles in Police National Headquarters, at the Royal New Zealand Police College and in Wellington District. Now, after 13 years away, Tracey, who started in Nelson as a constable and left as a sergeant, is excited to return to the Tasman District where she has whānau.

We love the new residents at Natureland – three adorable Dwarf Nigerian Goat crosses. These girls are small in stature but big on cuteness. The trio are new to the South Island and are enjoying socializing with Natureland’s visitors.

David Eagle Pages 16 – 19