Christchurch landlords are being warned that asking desperate tenants to stump up “pet bonds” on rental properties is illegal. But with rental properties at a premium in Christchurch, pet owners are handing over the cash anyway. Landlords can take a maximum of four weeks rent as bond. Charges beyond that are… Read More »Illegal 'pet bonds' charged on rentals
Christchurch dairies banned from selling synthetic drugs are transforming themselves into R18 stores to comply with new regulations. The Psychoactive Substances Act, which came into effect last week, makes it illegal for dairies, convenience stores, liquor outlets and supermarkets to sell herbal highs such as Kryptonite and Tai High. The… Read More »Christchurch dairies switch to sell drugs
Christchurch mental health services are introducing an anti-stress programme in schools to combat the rising number of teens presenting with mental health problems. Since the Christchurch earthquakes, youth patient numbers across several Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health services have more than doubled. As at September 2012, the service was… Read More »Schools trial anti-stress programme
Tonga plans to source half of its energy from renewable sources by 2020 and four students from the University of Canterbury are helping the country achieve that. Final-year electrical engineering students Darren O’Neill, Gavin Austin, Jarrad Raumati and Mubin Abd Rahman are working with Tonga Power Limited (TPL) to analyse… Read More »UC students help streamline Tongan power grid
A trial which allows people in the community to punish criminals has cut reoffending rates and is being rolled out nationwide. Community Justice Panels, a collaboration between police and Christchurch Community Law, were first trialled in the city in 2011 as an alternative to the courts for low-level offending. Community… Read More »New way found to save police time and money
They were originally made as garments for babies, but now adults are jumping into them, prompting two Christchurch entrepreneurs to cash in on the onesie craze. Matt Davies and Fraser Davidson launched onezies.co.nz in April after Davies returned from Britain with dreams of bringing onesie fashion to New Zealand. “It started off… Read More »Chch entrepreneurs launch onesie business
