As the 2019 Local Body Elections draw closer, there will be greater focus in the media around candidates and issues. The Riccarton Community Hub website will attempt to provide links to all articles covering local issues and candidates, and will be updated as they appear.

For those to date, see below:

Local body elections in New Zealand tend to have low voter turn-out. Yet the decisions made by city councillors, community boards and other elected people have a huge impact on our daily lives (and wallets). A Radio NZ news item pointing this out can be read at https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018710613/local-body-boredom-why-every-council-election-is-a-fizzer 

This year, the elections are on 12 October, and here are some of the reasons why they matter to you:

Elections for members of the Christchurch City Council, Mayor, community boards, Canterbury District Health Board, and Environment Canterbury will be held on 12th October 2019.

Riccarton will elect one city councillor, and two members to the Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton Community Board.

Five people have put their hands up for the position of city councillor for Riccarton, and seven would like to be a community board member. (NOTE: The following profiles will be updated as new information comes to hand.)

Wharenui School in Matipo St, Riccarton, is to receive a new classroom.

Firefighters managed to save a significant portion of Riccarton's Antonio Hall, savaged by fire on Friday night.

Meanwhile, a young person has been arrested on charges of setting the fire.

Read more at: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114215851/fire-at-christchurchs-antonio-hall-deemed-suspicious

An Iranian immigrant is proposing that a Peace Garden be included in the plans to revamp Harrington Park, Riccarton.