Thanks to the many people who have contributed to this newsletter. Sadly as we put this together we were thrown into Covid Alert Level 2 once again which has meant the cancellation of our third market in a row. It has also raised some questions around our Children's Day event next Sunday. No doubt other groups have had similar experiences! And there is little that we can do about it except use the tracer app, keep washing your hands and take care out there to keep as safe as possible.
In the meantime enjoy our newsletter!
Happy reading.

Lynne and Chrys

The Halswell Community Hub is based in the old Halswell Library on the corner of Sparks and Halswell Roads, opposite the Halswell Butcher and the little block of shops.

We have lots going on so pop in for a chat about the many groups and activities using our facilities or to join us for coffee, cards or Mahjong!!
For more information or to enquire about booking the facilities email halswellhub@gmail.com or phone 0204 127 6083

SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN AT THE HUB
Halswell Community Hub once again ran some craft activities for the school holidays. This holidays we made sock puppets!! Overall we had around 50 children making puppets and enjoying the crafts and giant games. Watch out for more craft fun in the next School holidays!!

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EXCITING OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN A VIBRANT COMMUNITY OFFICE SPACE AT THE HALSWELL COMMUNITY HUB
Due to some recent changes, Halswell Community Hub are looking for local businesses, organisations or groups to join us in our Community Office Space.
Halswell Community Hub has been operating for nearly 4 years in what was the Old Halswell Library and is now a thriving community space used by many groups and organisations. It is a great place to work and a great place to connect. We are in a convenient location on the corner of Halswell Rd and Sparks Rd with off street car parking and everything you need on your doorstep.
If you are community minded, keen to connect with local people and groups or are looking for a place to work from, get in touch. We have a space with 2 desks that would be ideal for either a small organisation with 2 people or for 2 people working individually. With approximately 11.5m2 there is plenty of space for storage whether that be filing cabinets or small cupboards.
Included in the price is your power; unlimited internet; use of communal facilities (toilets, kitchen) and use of our interview room (shared between tenants so fair use applies).
Contact Kate or Keri at halswellhub@gmail.com for more information or to arrange a viewing.

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NEWS & FEATURES

COMMUNITY RESILIENCE
Halswell has been through a few emergencies, during which we have each supported our community in various ways. All of us take part in responding to an emergency – some of our groups and organisations may have more formal responsibilities and arrangements, while others fully rely on the goodwill and dedication of a few staff and volunteers to do what needs doing at the time. The more we understand each other’s roles, capabilities, and limitations, the more we connect and plan together, the better we will get through together as a community.
A few of us have started the process of developing a Community Response Plan. This is not about recreating the formal responses of CDEM or formulating a fixed plan of what to do if... but it is about how we as a community respond. Over the next few months we will be organising workshops and discussions around this topic and looking at how we can connect people and map the resources our community has. If you would like to be part of this please do contact Kate on halswell.comm@gmail.com.

DID YOU KNOW:

Schools are no longer Civil Defence posts in an emergency?
The safest place in an emergency is often Home.
The Council Website is the best source of information in an emergency.
Getting to know your neighbours is a great way to start your neighbourhood response. When you know your neighbours, you're more likely to have more support in an emergency, like a storm or an earthquake.
Neighbours’ Day Aotearoa is held every March, to encourage neighbours to get to know each other.
You can join or form a Neighbourhood Support Group so you and your neighbours can share skills and resources to help you get through in an emergency.
You can find information about creating an emergency plan for your household here: https://getready.govt.nz/prepared/household/

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EMPOWERING OUR LOCAL KIDS

Thanks to City Councillor Anne Galloway

There are real benefits to getting kids pumped about getting involved in their community. Here are some.

International Youth Foundation researchers have linked civic engagement for kids and adults, to significantly fewer symptoms of depression.
The Journal Child Development says events like volunteering and voting can lower substance abuse and risky health-related behaviours.
A survey by The Center For Teen Empowerment found that 94 per cent of youth said engaging in civic events increased their leadership skills and self respect.
Being involved in a cause they care about can teach a young person skills like time management, collaboration, and even fundraising
When adolescents see change come about from their own advocacy work, they’ll carry those skills into adulthood.. Advocacy can show young people how local, regional, or national political processes work.
Studies have shown that civic engagement by young people is positively associated with future gains in income and education. The life skills your child earns from civic engagement can make them stronger adults.

Before being elected on to the City Council to represent Halswell, I worked with families. After starting at the CCC, I was shocked at the lack of connection of the community with Council, so I initiated the Huritini Student Council. My aim was to teach civics to get kids involved and maybe get better decision making in our local council.
The Huritini Student Council is comprised of students from Aidanfield, Oaklands, Halswell, Wigram and Knights Stream, thanks to the commitment their schools. Much of the work so far has been around environmental issues in our local community because that was what interested the children who are involved. As more children get involved that focus may move into ethical and social issues as well.

The Huritini Student Council
Currently the main project of the council has revolved around improving and looking after Westlake Park which extends on the environmental activities that are undertaken at their various schools. The activities include gardens and vege growing, waste minimisation and recycling of plastics that cannot go into our yellow bins.
Alongside all of this, the children are learning to chair meetings and how to talk with community board, and work with the City Council on projects.

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THE WALKING FESTIVAL - A CHANCE TO EXPLORE NGĀ PUNA WAI

Thanks to the CCC for this article

On a beautiful day you simply cannot beat Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub. Obviously it appeals to people who come for different sports each season, but it is also a favourite of people who like active recreation activities, including walking.
Monday 19 April was no exception! The sun beat down with not a breath of wind and 17 walkers met at 10am to walk alongside our Green Prescription team as one of the first walks of The Walking Festival.
The Walking Festival is a chance for Cantabrians to explore over 50 amazing walks in Christchurch, Selwyn and Waimakiriri. This year, the walks are based around the three pillars of wellbeing: Explore - hōpara, learn - ako and connect - hano.
The walk began from the carpark in front of the facility by the hockey turfs and took the participants on a journey through the sports hub where they were able to see the world-class sporting grounds and facilities. They carried on through to the surrounding wetlands and finished back at the café.

Photo CCC
It was a great opportunity for locals to learn about the home of community sport and recreation as well as to hear the important narrative that encapsulates this special place.
Many of the participants had not been to the facility and were blown away by its size and quality of the sports hub.
Local resident Andree Louys said, “I’d only heard about this place recently, it’s amazing to have, we are so lucky.
Local, Cathy Robins said, “I came along because I love Rebecca’s scones and we are an athletics family from way back so love to watch the track and field events – we can’t wait for international events to come back.”
Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub welcomes people to explore the facility and surrounding walking tracks at their leisure.

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U3A SOUTH WEST CHRISTCHURCH
U3A is a learning community organised by and for people who are in active retirement. Monthly meetings are held with a speaker. There are currently 14 special interest groups to foster ongoing learning and social activities.
2021 meetings will be held on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month at a new time of 1:00pm – 3:00pm in the Mohoao Room at Te Hapua:Halswell Centre.
Further information and an application form can be found on our website:
u3aswchch.org.nz or email u3a.southwestchch@gmail
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PROBUS
The Probus Club of Christchurch South West welcomes all interested people to join them for their monthly meeting to be held on Thursday 13 May 2021 in the Mohoao room in the Te Hapua Halswell Library, Halswell Road at 10:00am. Parking is available in the Library car park. Morning tea and a short social time will be followed by our guest speaker, Matt Hall who is an expert in Salmon Angling.

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HALSWELL FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS GROUP

The Halswell Friends and Neighbours group meets on Tuesday afternoons at 1pm in the lounge at St. Mary's Anglican Church hall. We have a varied program chosen by our members. For more information phone Judy on 4200923, or just come along and check us out.

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HALSWELL FRIENDSHIP CLUB - A CLUB FOR ACTIVE RETIREES

We meet on the first Thursday of the month at 1.30pm in the Mohoao Room, Te Hapua Halswell Centre, Halswell Road.
We have speakers, coffee mornings and outings.
Our next meeting is on Thursday 6th May when Heather Milne from Christchurch Aunties will speak to us about their work.
Our outing in May is lunch at the Tai Tapu Hotel.
For further information contact Robyn on 322 8288.
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OAKLANDS WOMEN'S INSTITUTE

Newly retired and New to the district, The Oakland’s W I is looking for new members of all ages. The WI (Women’s Institute) is an organisation for women and is celebrating 100 years in New Zealand this year. It is a service organisation that helps local and nationwide charities, we have fun fund raising activities and interesting Speakers. In the past we raised almost $10000 for a 4 year old Christchurch boy who had to have a kidney transplant, this enabled the mother to keep her rented accommodation while the family were in Auckland, where he had his life saving operation. We meet on the 1st Tuesday evening of each month for further information contact Rosemary 3229962.
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HALSWELL GARDEN CLUB

The Halswell Garden Club’s meeting will be held on Tuesday May 12th 2021 in the Mohoao room at the Te Hapua/Halswell Centre in Halswell Rd, beginning at 1.00pm. We will be holding our AGM at this meeting and we are looking for new Committee members along with some other positions. Phone Elizabeth Ph 322-7214 for further information.
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Halswell Pottery Group

Our popular stall at Barrington Mall runs from Monday 3rd to Wednesday 5th May, open 9am-6pm. A great chance to find that special Mother’s Day gift.
We look forward to seeing you there! But if you can’t make it to the Mall, our Gallery at 9 Candys Rd, Halswell is open week-ends from 11am – 3pm.
You can contact us at halswellpotters@gmail.com

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FRIDAY AFTERNOON EUCHRE

STARTS AGAIN ON FRIDAY 7TH May 2021.
MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR
Friday afternoon EUCHRE at the Halswell Bowling Club 1-15pm till 3-30pm every Friday.
Entry Fee $3-00. Meat Raffle $2-00 followed by a cuppa.
Ring Noel Hopgood 322 8636 for further info.

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HALSWELL COMMUNITY CRAFT GROUP
          ALL WELCOME
Where: Halswell Community HUB (corner Sparks and Halswell Rd)
When: Every Wednesday morning (during School terms)   9.15am to 12 noon.
Entry $3.00 includes morning tea.
Come join us to learn new crafts or just have a social outing.
Knitting, Crocheting, Embroidery, Cross Stitch, Card making, Painting,
Patch work, or anything else you are doing or wish to share with others.
For more information please contact Marion 3228996 or Trudy 3228178/ 0274165888
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ART in HALSWELL
We are a small group of beginning and experienced painting artists looking for new people to jin our group. Our details are below:
WHERE: In the Halswell Scout Den, located in Halswell Domain behind the bowling & tennis clubs.
WHEN: From 1-4pm on the second & fourth Thursday of each month during the school terms. Our May meetings are on the 13th & 27th and the June dates are the 10th & 24th.
COST: $40 per term. Individuals to provide their own painting materials.
Learn or continue to paint in a friendly and supportive group. Come along and see for yourself with your initial session at no cost.
For any further information please call Peter on 322 5585 or 021 207 5320 or Pam on 322 9262.

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ST MARY'S CHURCH and ALL SAINTS, PREBBLETON

The usual services will continue on all Sundays:
St Mary’s Halswell

Time	Information
8.00 am	2^nd and 4^th Sunday Holy Eucharist, 4^th Sunday breakfast
10.30 am	Family Service (Holy Eucharist) Kidzone – All kids/children welcome – will commence on 9^th May (Sunday) for term 2
6.00 – 8.00 pm	Dominos Youth Group - Every Sunday, St Mary’s Hall, (please contact the Parish Office for more details) – will commence on 9^th May for Term 2

All Saints, Prebbleton

Time	Information
9.15 am	Holy Eucharist, Kidzone – all kids/children are welcome – will commence 9^th May (Sunday) for Term 2
10.30 am	Family Service (Holy Eucharist) Kidzone – All kids/children welcome – will commence on 9^th May (Sunday) for term 2

SPECIAL SERVICES
Sunday, 2nd May at 10.30am at St.Mary's Halswell - Riding on Faith
Sunday, 23rd May 10.30am at St.Mary's - Pentecost Sunday & Family Service

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FITNESS, HEALTH and WELLBEING

Written by REPS, altered by Bex Ridgen

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KEEP ACTIVE
Our Halswell classes are Tuesday and Fridays 9.30-10.30am
KEEP ACTIVE! is a fun, social setting for anyone to help maintain or improve their fitness.
These sessions comprise an aerobic warm-up, circuit activities, stretching cool-down and a social cuppa.

Join others from the community who find attending these sessions very helpful/beneficial – balance improved, able to lift things more easily, stamina increased, more flexible, sleep improved, feel more alive 🙂
You will also meet some friendly people!
https://www.swbc.org.nz/ministry/seniors/keep-active/

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WALKING NETBALL

Come and join in Walking Netball down at South Hagley Courts every Wednesday at 10am-11.10am.
No experience necessary. Really fun group of all abilities. Learn the rules as you go. The main rules are no running, one foot on the ground at all times, to have fun and you need the ability to laugh at yourself and others.
This is a free activity and a great way to get a bit of exercise and have fun while you are doing that.

NOTICES

Enter this by emailing chchnzaee@gmail.com or talk to your teachers.
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HALSWELL LIONS

Invitation
Our Lions Motto worldwide is “We Serve” with all Clubs in New Zealand taking this as being our prime objectiv

e. We at Halswell Lions focus on the needs of the Halswell community, with our Club motto this year being “FUN-FELLOWSHIP-SERVICE”. We extend a very warm welcome to all men and woman that wish to SERVE their fellow Halswell Residents, within a committed friendly group, to come and explore our objectives further.
We meet in the heart of Halswell at the Halswell Bowing Club with a supper meeting once a month. Our next meeting is Wednesday 5th May 2021, starting at 7pm, new members welcome.
Our guest speaker in May is the C E O of Age Concern Christchurch presenting the activities and support given to the older age group of our community.
During the month we delivered school lunches, on a daily basis, to the Hillmorton High School Camp at Orton Bradley Park. A special B B Q was recently held at Halswell New World Mall in support of Child Cancer, these are some examples of our continuing support to the community.
Cell phone 027 490 722 email mechaelis@outlook.com
Looking forward to meeting all those that wish to serve our community.
Yours in Lionism
President
Peter
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Pea Straw is now available at a cost of $12.00 per bale price which includes delivery in the local Halswell area. Please contact Chris Owen, 027 458 9280, to place your orders. We appreciate the support of Halswell Residents in past years and look forward to receiving your orders again this year.

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Do you know your rights as a tenant?
Tūhuratia ō motika!
Discover your rights! Did you know it's generally unlawful for a landlord to charge a tenant 'key money' (i.e., a fee for things like granting or renewing the tenancy)? If a landlord charges the tenant for costs other than the rent and bond, there's a good chance this will be unlawful. Find out more here: https://www.cab.org.nz/article/KB00001202 and for detailed info for tenant advocates check out https://tenant.aratohu.nz/starting-payments/rent-in-advance-and-other-charges/

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HALSWELL HALL – THE CORNERSTONE OF THE HALSWELL COMMUNITY FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS
The Hall is enjoying a real surge of bookings for social functions. It is a lovely venue for birthday parties, weddings and all celebrations. If you would like to view at any time just phone the Booking Officer on 028-421-6981 to arrange a time.
If you are thinking about a function later this year, we encourage you to make your booking early as we have bookings through until September already.
The Committee has developed a 5-Year Maintenance Plan and a 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan in place and are looking for members of the community to assist with specific short-term projects as part of these plans. If you feel you have something to offer, please contact Judith on 028-421-6981 for further details.
Our fundraiser with our Spring Bulb orders went very well and will be allocating these funds to the purchase of an AED unit for the Community. The next step is to approach the Community for sponsorship to achieve this. Any enquiries are welcome.
We continue to look at smaller tasks to improve the facility – if you have any suggestions, we would love to hear them.
Halswell Hall is Your Hall.
We cannot do it without you. Join us with whatever skills you have and feel engaged and a part of our wonderful community.

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HELP NEEDED FOR KNITTERS AND CROTCHETERS

Wanted: Do you have spare time and like knitting or crocheting or could you supply wool? Help is needed with making pre-school jerseys (we have a very simple pattern if they were needed) and cot or single blankets for local charities.
Helpers to sew up Peggy squares for blankets would also be very welcome. .

Thank you. Email Naida on 29huntsbury@gmail.com

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TE KIWAI FUND
Te Kīwai is a new fund developed in partnership between Te Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu and Sport New Zealand Ihi Aotearoa. This two-year pilot fund is designed to support Māori wellbeing through play, active recreation and sport.
Te Kīwai is available to tamariki and rangatahi between 5-18, and is designed to help remove barriers to participation in sport and recreation. Each tamariki or rangatahi is eligible for up to $300.00 per year. You can apply on behalf of tamariki or rangatahi in your whānau, in a club or team you manage, or who are participating in a marae or rūnaka event or wānanga you are running. Find out more about the Te Kīwai Fund.

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HELP OUT THE CHRISTCHURCH BLANKET BANK

This year the Halswell Community Project have offered to help out the New Brighton Project’s Blanket Bank.
The Blanket Bank provides bedding and blankets to Christchurch people in need of warm bedding at no cost.
“With winter on its way, it’s time for us to stock up for our busiest time of the year. We rely on donations of warm bedding e.g. blankets (both woollen and acrylic), duvets, sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers” says Sarah Mackay, the volunteer who runs the Bank.
If you would like to donate, please drop any warm, clean and good quality bedding that you have to the Halswell Community Hub (381 Halswell Rd – parking off Sparks Rd) during office hours. So far, we have taken two full carloads of fantastic blankets and bedding over to the Bank thanks to the generosity of those who have brought stuff in. They are being given out as fast as they are coming in.
If you are unable to donate a blanket but would like to help, then you could make a donation on their Give a Little Page at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/blanket-bank

Halswell Newsletter

#130 May 2021

NEWS & FEATURES

EMPOWERING OUR LOCAL KIDS

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WHAT IS ON?