A word from the Mayor
It is amazing how the week takes a shape of its own, with events that either offer optimism or concern.
Recently we held their annual Community Service Awards ceremony when about 160 people from across the district gathered in the Waikari Hall and celebrated the richness of our environmental stewardship, our heritage values, our youth leaders and members of our communities who had been signalled out by their peers and recognised to receive the Community Service Award. This is always a privilege as Mayor to acknowledge these amazing people, and I thank them for their individual and collective contributions.
It was of interest to me that the community services nominees represented our volunteers largely from Fire and Emergency services. It is well recognised by our community the active and vital role they all play in protecting us.
Within a week of the celebration, we find ourselves in the unenviable position to stand up and consider what the proposed police restructure might mean to our district and the volunteers to whom we had celebrated the week before.
Our important volunteers from FENZ, St Johns along with Land Search and Rescue are the volunteers that are likely to feel the impact of the restructure, and place significant pressure on their ability to support our district in times of need.
It’s important that your voice is heard and that you offer some feedback on the police restructure and this must be received by 18th August on canterbury.review@police.govt.nz
A “Building a Food Secure Hurunui” hui was held in Amberley with several members of our community speaking on the strengths and opportunities to access healthy local kai. We have long been seen as part of the food bowl for Canterbury and this session explored what a thriving local food system could look like for the Hurunui.
And finally, Amuri Area School hosted a Cultural event for 2025, what a fabulous occasion. Culture is the thread that weaves together our past, present and future. It’s in our language, our music, our dance, food and the stories we tell. This wonderful event inspires us to appreciate the beauty in our shared heritage and the joy of celebrating this together.
