Stories by Jonathan Leask
News
Dramatic Ashburton rates hike draws muted reaction
The Ashburton District Council's draft annual plan proposing a 9.4 percent rate increase has received a paltry 58 submissions with five days before consultation closes.
Mayor calls for pause on Three Waters
Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown is hoping for at least a pause to proceedings as the fight against the Three Waters reform continues.
'I wonder how they can be doing it': Low rates increases queried
Mayor Neil Brown is surprised the Ashburton District's rate rise is one of the highest in the country.
'Stressed and angry': Wastewater regulations mess leaves family in limbo
The Stocker family were supposed to be enjoying their new home by now but are still, along with others, at loggerheads with ECan over wastewater consent related to nitrate risk in Ashburton's…
Staffing the key issue for tourism sector
Ashburton's tourism promoters are more focussed on business support than marketing, as confidence in the sector suffers from Covid-19 symptoms.
Enchanted forest facing axe: ‘Storm in a fairy tea cup’
It appears not everyone has been taken in by the magic of Methven's Enchanted Forest.
Ratepayers bite back over plans for 9.4 percent average rate rise
Ashburton District Council's "no frills' budget still delivers the biggest rate rise in over a decade - and it hasn't gone down well with the public.
Christchurch DHB almost at patient capacity as Covid peak approaches
Canterbury's DHB is already teetering on patient capacity, three weeks away from an expected peak of Covid-19 cases.
Ashburton councillors questioning climate change 'embarrassing', colleague says
Ashburton councillors questioning the authenticity of climate change have been labelled "embarrassing" by one of their own.