..using rates money! It is not the only example of council funds misused for political purpose.* Together, they rob Christchurch and its democratic impetus to Save Our Water legitimately. Aotearoa Water Action (AWA) has drunk the city council Kool-Aid, deeply: Water Protest Action Group ‘Blown Away’ By Christchurch City Council’s Decision to Grant $50,000 For…

Water bottling register call by Ecan candidate Media Release: Save Our Water, Community Voice – Christchurch, New Zealand October 9, 2019 Government information is lacking and causes anxiety in the community, an Environment Canterbury candidate says. Rik Tindall, of Save Our Water, Community Voice campaign in Ōwhanga Christchurch South, notes bottling for export is emerged…

As Aotearoa New Zealand prepares for next climate strike, ever-building upon the last, the lack of leadership answers is stark. Save Our Water engagement, going back 12 years, faces head-on government party corruption and democratic disruption in this debate. So no answers from there. We of Community Voice are in the current local elections, to…

For help making sense of local election choices, e.g. for ECan, there is: policylocal.thespinoff.co.nz/elections#Canterbury-Regional-Council You can make a pure policy comparison – over what each candidate would do – stripping out names and faces for a clear decision on what issue responses you most support. Voting papers are mailed out from 20 Sept, return date…

World Rivers Day celebrates the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and encourage the improved stewardship of rivers around the world. Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September, this year it’s on the 22nd. So, what are you doing for World Rivers Day 2019? Community Voice…

There is much to celebrate in, on and around the Christchurch Estuary – as shining symbol of the city’s proud East. So many planning issues pertain, especially will the north shore (Southshore-South Brighton) receive the same level of investment and protections as the south (Ferrymead to Sumner)? The rating bases, reflecting the kinds of land…

For Akaroa and Whakaraupō/Lyttelton, the issues are different – but with much overlap. (Pun intended: climate change and sea-level rise impose accelerating adaptation.) Peak demand from tourist cruise ships oscillates with off-season lulls, challenging local business sustainability. There are waste peaks to manage too, affecting council rates. Akaroa remains a remarkable tourism gem, set in…

2019, the Our Water Our City campaign of 2010 merges into CommunityVoice.NZ – that seeks election to represent Owhanga, South Christchurch at Environment Canterbury. A long history of public concern and protest surrounds our emergence in 2007 as Save Our Water. Aquifer tainting and depletion are dangers we campaigned on then and were successful with,…

Too much stuff goes to landfill with no recycling option. In many cases the answer is not to make or buy it in the first place. All Earth resources are under pressure, oceans have plastic rubbish accumulating, landfills take precious space and are a hazard to surface and ground water and coast – as at…

Maintaining high water quality and quantity is Canterbury region top priority. News is bad: New tests show nitrate levels still rising in water “Nitrate concentrations in Selwyn’s water sources continue to rise.. The district council’s chemical testing results show nitrate levels have increased in more than half of the tested water schemes over the last…

“To survive rising temperatures, every system, whether of the natural world or of the human world, will need to be as strong and healthy as we can make it… hope for today.” [1] Community Voice campaigns for councils to encourage and support innovation, in the technical space assisting growers on the land, to honour the…