PRICES DROP

 

Fresh produce price drop welcome

13/03/2024 at 1:30 PM

Finance Minister, Nicola Willis. 

Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. 

Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  

“Lower fruit and vege prices are a step in the right direction for Kiwi families who have been pulling in their belts to cope with rising prices and rising pressures across the board.  

“I know it can be a challenge to make weekly food budgets stretch. It’s good to see more stable prices coming back so people can start feeling more in control of their own finances.” 

The lower prices for fresh produce underpin what is the smallest increase in food prices since May 2021 at 2.1 percent. This compares to the 12 percent increase in food prices in the previous 12 months to February 2023. 

“Prices coming down is exactly what we want to see – inflation continues to be tracking down in the right direction. “We’re focused on continuing to do our bit to keep inflation down. 

We’re making sure we're getting good value out of government spending, and not spending excessively which could put more fuel on the inflation fire,” Nicola Willis says.

Unexplained Death on Pigville Road in Takaka:

 

Unexplained Death on Pigville Road in Takaka: Tasman Police Conducting Enquiries

1. Introduction

Tasman Police are currently investigating an unexplained death that occurred on Pigville Road in Takaka. The body was discovered on a rural property around 4pm on Tuesday, 12th March 2024.

Police are working on conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

2. Scene Examination

Tasman Police will be present at the scene overnight to conduct a detailed examination. Further enquiries will be made to gather more information and evidence related to the incident.

3. Post-Mortem Examination

A post-mortem examination is scheduled to take place in the coming days to determine the cause of death. Formal identification of the deceased individual is yet to be completed.

4. Information Release

Tasman Police will release more details about the case once they are in a position to do so. Updates on the investigation will be provided as more information becomes available.

5. Conclusion

The unexplained death on Pigville Road in Takaka has prompted Tasman Police to launch a thorough investigation. The community is urged to come forward with any relevant information that may assist in the case.

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Hard work being done in Tasman's heat

 

Reserves and Facilities Team: Enhancing Your Tasman District Experience

Richmond

13 March 2024

If you’ve spent a bit of time in the Tasman District – there’s every chance your experience has been enhanced by the great work of our Reserves and Facilities team.

Taking a walk, celebrating an event – even finding a clean toilet when nature calls – this team is your contact for anything to do with the District’s reserves, parks, public halls, cemeteries and sports facilities.

Horticultural Officer. Credit Tasman District Council.

They also administer the management of Council-owned housing for older adults and are the second largest social housing provider in Tasman District.

Added to that is the management of several recreation centres and the Richmond Aquatic Centre.

Recent jobs they’ve been involved with have included planting a tree to honour the Coronation of King Charles III, contributing to Brightwater’s new basketball court at the Wanderers Sports Club, and creating new and improved playgrounds at Pōhara, Wakefield and Berryfields.

They also support many projects carried out with the input of volunteers or community groups and have carried out ecological restoration plantings in Kingsland Forest Park, around the Waimea Estuary, and on Rough and Moturoa/Rabbit Islands.

There’s also some stuff that you might not associate with them – like fire risk management alongside stakeholders to maintain the safety of land and life during the warmer months.

As one team member puts it “We do all the cool stuff.”

Knowing the scope of their work and places that these valued Council staff call their office, you’d have to say that the Reserves and Facilities team are truly outstanding in their field.

Their dedication and impact are evident in the places they serve. From Washbourn Gardens, where they’ve managed to sustain flowers despite the drought, to the changing autumn hues of trees, the Reserves and Facilities team truly excels in their field, making a lasting difference for our community.

Recently, I visited Washbourn Gardens to assess how our dedicated crew are handling the challenges posed by the ongoing drought. 

To my pleasant surprise, the Reserves and Facilities team has worked wonders in maintaining some resilient flowers amidst the parched landscape. 

The grass may be drying off, and the trees transitioning to their autumn hues, but the spirit of growth persists.

Even with the shade house closed, its brightness shines through the window. The team’s efforts have borne fruit—literally! Their Dahlias are in full bloom, an achievement I couldn’t manage this year. Moreover, several flower beds continue to thrive during this demanding gardening season.

In the face of a hard gardening year, the Reserves and Facilities team have been creative in what they have planted. Their impact extends beyond the gardens—they infuse life and colour into our community, making the Tasman District a better place for all. 🌼🌿🌸

Tasman District Council Communications, plus my comments.

Pigeon Post News.

Stop/Go night road works - Blenheim

Stop/Go night

works planned for State Highway 1 near Blenheim

BLENHEIM

13 March 2024

Marlborough residents and regular users of State Highway 1 near Blenheim must remember to add extra travel time to their journeys when heading through St Andrews south of Blenheim from tomorrow night (Thursday, 14 March).

 

Contractors are busy doing drainage, pavement rehabilitation, road resurfacing, and line marking  in the area. Currently, this is being done during the day under a temporary 30 km/h speed limit.

 

However, from Thursday, 14 March to Thursday, 28 March, between 7 pm and 6 am (Monday to Friday), contractors will complete the work under stop/go traffic management.

 

Doing the work at night when traffic volumes are lower is safer for work crews and drivers. It also means the work will have less impact on highway traffic during the day.

 

Contractors are making every effort to complete this work as quickly as possible and to ensure disruption for road users is minimised.

 

However, the stop/go night works will affect travel times, and drivers can expect short delays of up to five minutes.

 

Road users, particularly those with Picton ferry connections, should factor this into their travel plans.

 

These works are weather-dependent, and timings may change. Updates on the highway’s status can be checked on the NZTA/Waka Kotahi website.

• Highway conditions – Nelson/Marlborough

NZTA Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Government aims to lower building costs, but will it succeed?

New builds in Takaka

Government lowering building costs

12/3/2024

Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk announced today that the coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy. 

“Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is paid at $1.75 per $1,000 of building work value. 

“Cabinet has agreed that from 1 July this year, all projects under $65,000 including GST will be exempt from paying the levy delivering a meaningful and welcomed savings for Kiwi families.  

“This change will reduce unnecessary red tape and mean Kiwis making small improvements to their homes, such as bathroom or kitchen renovations will save up to $113.

“Building costs are too high and have risen 41.3 per cent since 2019. Analysis shows it is around 50 per cent more expensive to build a standalone house in New Zealand than in Australia – this must change.    

“High construction costs have made it harder for families to get into their first home and has exacerbated New Zealand’s housing crisis.  “This week Cabinet has agreed to an ambitious work programme in building and construction to reduce building costs, streamline the building consent system and make it easier to build.  

“Today’s change is a small step in the Government’s plan to tackle sky-high construction costs and deliver the affordable homes that Kiwis deserve.”

Building and Construction Minister, Chris Penk.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Night closures coming next week for State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive safety barrier works

 

Night closures coming next week for State Highway 6, Whakatu Drive safety barrier works

Nelson drivers must be ready as the next stage of safety improvement works on State Highway 6 Whakatu Drive in Nelson begins this weekend.

Contractors are installing safety barriers below over bridges along Whakatu Drive to help protect road users and the bridge structures in the event of a crash. 

Stage two of these works begins this Sunday, 17 March, and continues until 27 March. 

It will require night closures of the route between the Annesbrook Roundabout and Link Road/Raeward Roundabout between 8:30 pm and 5:30 am.  

The closures are essential to ensure the safety of work crews. They will also allow the construction to be completed much faster.  

Every effort is being made to minimise disruption for drivers, so the closures have been timed to happen at night when there is less traffic on the road.  

However, the closure means drivers will have to use local road detours via Main Road Stoke, which will mean longer journey times and road users must factor this into their travel plans. 

The highway will be fully open on Friday and Saturday nights, as contractors will not be working on these nights.

Summary

• During Stage 2 SH6 Whakatu Drive will be closed overnight, Sunday 17 to Wednesday 27 March in both directions, between Annesbrook Roundabout, Annesbrook, and the Salisbury Link Road/Raeward Roundabout in Richmond from 8:30pm to 5:30am. No work on Friday or Saturday nights.

• At all other times there will be intermittent lane closures if you are travelling from Nelson to Richmond (southbound).

• Traffic management and a temporary speed limit will be in place.

Detour route during night closures:

• People travelling to Nelson Airport or businesses on Quarantine Road will detour via Parkers Road and Pascoe Street.

• Access from Nelson Airport to the city will be via Quarantine Road, but temporary speed restrictions and traffic management will be in place.

• The shared path next to the highway will remain open for cyclists and pedestrians in both directions.

• The local road detour via Main Road Stoke has temporarily been approved by Nelson City Council for use by heavy vehicles.

• This detour is expected to add up to 10 minutes to travel times.

NZ Transport Agency

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.