Living in the Hurunui District
There’s a lot to learn about settling in your new environment and in the Hurunui District have a range of organisations and services that are here to help. Here you will find information about ‘how to kiwi’ or living in New Zealand.
The Newcomers Guide
This brochure is an easy to-read guide with important information about social services and support agencies operating in the Hurunui.
Emergencies
NATIONAL EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER: 111 this is always a free call, it will work even if you don’t have credit on your phone, and will connect you to the fire service, police and ambulance.
In case of a disaster (earthquake, flooding, cyclone, etc.) you may need to look after yourself for at least seven days before the emergency services can reach you. Make sure you have enough water and food stored for you and your family. You can find more information about how to prepare for an emergency here – https://getready.govt.nz/
Helpful Information:
- In a medical emergency, call 111 and ask for “Ambulance”.
- Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you are unsure.
- For the hearing or speech impaired, you can register for 111 TXT (Click Here).
When you call 111 you will speak to a professional who will make sure you or the person you are calling for receives the right care at the right time.
What to do when your 111 call is answered
Ask for Ambulance.
Say which service you need – Police, Fire or Ambulance. Ask for Ambulance. Your call will then be transferred to them.
Give the address of the emergency.
Tell the call handler exactly where the emergency is taking place. Give as much information as you can including the house number and street name, or the name of the business.
Give the phone number you are calling from.
They will ask you to give the phone number you are calling from; in case they need to call you back.
Describe what has happened.
Tell the call handler what has happened. They will ask you questions like “Are you with the patient?” “How old is the patient?” “Is the patient awake?” “Is the patient breathing?”.
Listen to what to do next.
While you talk to the call handler, someone called a ‘dispatcher’ will be arranging help. The call handler will tell you what to do next. If necessary, they will stay on the line to help you until an ambulance or other help arrives.
Stay on the call.
Do not hang up the call until the call handler tells you to. They will make sure that you have the help you need first.
If you see smoke or fire and believe there’s a risk to people or property, call 111 and ask for ‘Fire’ immediately. If you’re not sure whether it’s a real emergency or not, call 111 and ask.
When in doubt, call 111.
What you need to tell Fire and Emergency New Zealand
When you call 111, an operator will ask whether you need Fire, Ambulance or Police.
Ask immediately for ‘Fire’. Ambulance and Police may also attend but the first priority is to get a fire engine on the way.
Always call 111 if you need a fire engine. Don’t call your local fire station.
You’ll need to give the operator the following information to help us find the fire:
- House number
- Street name
- Nearest intersection
- Suburb and city
- Rural Address Property Identification (RAPID) number if you have one.
Once they know the location of the fire, they’ll ask about the nature of the emergency. They’ll probably ask if anyone is injured or trapped. This will help them make sure the first responders are ready to act when they arrive.
Call 111 and ask for Police when:
- People are injured or in danger; or
- There is a serious, immediate, or imminent risk to life or property; or
- A crime is being or has just been committed and the offenders are still at the scene or have just left.
If you can’t decide if it’s a real emergency and you’re still worried, call 111 and ask the operator. They will help you work out what to do.
Reporting options for non-emergency situations are available via the Police Non-Emergency service
Alternative Police contacts for non-emergency situations can be accessed on the Police website or by calling 105.
Health & Wellbeing
Finding a General Practice (Doctor’s Clinic)
For regular health and medical care, it’s a good idea to register the whole family with a general practice. The doctor is also known as a general practitioner, or GP. Most general practices are part of a Primary Health Organisation (PHO), which allows patients to receive cheaper doctors’ visits and reduced costs of prescription medicines. You can ask your local general practice if they are part of a PHO.
Children under the age of 14 years can visit the doctor for free.
Helpful Information:
Amberley Medical Centre
6 Hilton Drive, Amberley 7410
03 314 8504
Amuri Community Health Centre
40 Wilkin Street, Rotherham 7379
03 315 6328
Waikari Health Centre
100 Princes Street, Waikari
03 314 4506
Hanmer Springs Medical Centre
59 Jacks Pass Road, Hanmer Springs
03 315 7503
Cheviot Community Health Centre
6 Robinson Street, Cheviot
03 319 8630
Hurunui doesn’t have a hospital that provides outpatient and community health services. The nearest hospital is in Christchurch.
Amberley has a base for St John paramedics and also operates the North Canterbury Health Shuttle. Cheviot and Culverden have a volunteer St John Service as well.
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) provides personal injury cover for
all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand.
This means that if you have an accident or injure yourself, the cost of visiting a
doctor may be partially covered by the government.
See: www.acc.co.nz
Dental care is free for people under 18 years of age. If you are over 18 years of age, you will need to pay for dental care. The closest dentists are located in Rangiora or Kaiapoi.
People or families on low or moderate incomes, and who are permanent legal residents of New Zealand, may qualify for a Community Services Card, which makes visits to a doctor cheaper.
www.workandincome.govt.nz
For life-threatening health emergencies, free phone 111 for an ambulance. For non-life threatening or after-hours health situations, phone your local General Practice or you can phone Healthline on 0800 611 116 to speak to a registered nurse.
Education
Preschools (kindergartens, playcentres and childcare)
Children under the age of five years old can be enrolled at kindergartens, play centres and childcare facilities. Between the ages of three and five, your child may be eligible for 20 hours per week of free childhood education. Talk to staff at your early childhood education centre to find out more.
Primary School
There are 10 primary schools (Year 1 through to Year 8) in Hurunui District. Children are legally required to begin primary school by age six.
Amberley School
2 Lawcocks Road, Amberley
PH: 03 314 8309
E: office@amberley.school.nz
Broomfield School
115 Mount Brown Road, Broomfield.
PH: 03 314 9444
E: office@broomfield.school.nz
Greta Valley School
8 Motunau Beach Road, Greta Valley
PH: 03 314 3800
E: office@gretavalley.school.nz
Hanmer Springs School
8 Cheltenham Street, Hanmer Springs
PH: 03 315 7208
E: admin@hanmersprings.school.nz
Leithfield School
Old Main Road, Leithfield
PH: 03 314 8024
E: office@leithfield.school.nz
Omihi School
990 Omihi Road, Omihi
PH: 03 314 5857
E: office@omihi.school.nz
Rotherham School
71 George Street, Rotherham.
PH: 03 315 6368
E: office@rotherham.school.nz
Waiau School
11 Montrose Street, Waiau.
PH: 03 315 6027
E: office@waiau.school.nz
Waikari School
23 Princes Street, Waikari
PH: 03 314 4250
E: office@waikari.school.nz
Waipara School
2 Loffhagen Drive, Waipara.
PH: 03 314 6814
E: office@waipara.school.nz
Area School
There are three area schools (Year 1 through to Year 13) in Hurunui District, located in Hawarden, Culverden and Cheviot.
Hurunui College
Tenterden Street, Hawarden
PH: 03 314 4430
E: office@hurunuicollege.school.nz
Amuri Area School
School Road, Culverden
PH: 03 315 8233
E: office@amuri.school.nz
Cheviot Area School
Hall Street, Cheviot
PH: 03 319 8787
E: office@cheviot.school.nz
Rangiora High School
125 East Belt, Rangiora
PH: 03 311 8888
E: admin@rangiorahigh.school.nz
Connecting
Moving to a new place can be a challenging journey but, in the Hurunui, you will find friendly neighbours, colleagues and services ready to help you every step of the way.
- Introduce yourself.
- Visit a few of the main attractions: A must do is the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. Hurunui ratepayers enjoy a 50% discount at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools! You can also visit some of our beautiful vineyards or pristine beaches. Check out https://visithurunui.co.nz/ to see more of what the Hurunui has to offer.
- Take a walk around your new neighbourhood. Explore the parks, walks and reserves.
- Sign up for a Hurunui District Library card. Remember to take along one form of identity and evidence of your home address.
- Set up power and internet for your home.
- Buy some council rubbish bags. These are available at the council service centres, libraries and some local shops. A full list, collection criteria and transfer station hours and fees are available at: https://www.hurunui.govt.nz/property-rates/rubbish-recycling Please note that you may not burn rubbish in Hurunui District.
- Explore volunteering, recreation or community groups you could join.
- Join the Hurunui District Council Facebook page and other community Facebook pages.
- Explore the New Zealand Now website: your guide to living and working in New Zealand https://www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/
Sports & Recreation
With rolling hills, big open spaces, coastal stretches and mountain ranges, great walks of every size are a key offering in the Hurunui. Take a stroll up Conical Hill for a view of Hanmer Springs or venture along Amberley Beach. Unearth the network of mountain lakes at the top of Mt Lyford or amble through Cheviot’s charming woodlands.
Hurunui also caters to all types of cycling enthusiasts, including the mountain biker, the cruiser, the speedster and the little ones. In Hanmer Springs, you’ll find a raft of mountain biking tracks to get you the ultimate in air and speed or a more chill thrill. Meanwhile, the St James Cycle Trail is an incredible ride that offers unforgettable 360-degree panoramic views.
Hurunui walking and biking – https://visithurunui.co.nz/things-to-do/adventure/walking-and-biking
Pitch a tent in one of the region’s accessible and affordable campgrounds or hit the ski slopes at either one of our two family-friendly fields, Mt Lyford and Hanmer Springs Ski Area. You can don your active wear and roll up the sleeves, or simply fold out a deck chair and open up that book you’ve been itching to get stuck into.
Hurunui ski and snowboard – https://visithurunui.co.nz/things-to-do/adventure/ski-and-snowboard
Employment
There are a number of different employment industries in the Hurunui District, from farming and manufacturing, to accommodation, food services and tourism.
Employment Rights
When working in New Zealand you have certain rights, which are important to know so that you are treated fairly.
www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/work-innz/employment-rights
Helpful Information:
Most people looking for work start their search online using websites such as www.seek.co.nz and www.trademe.co.nz/jobs
There are several recruitment agencies that may be helpful for connecting you to available jobs.
Kiwisaver is a work-based savings scheme where you, your employer and the government contributes to a savings fund for your retirement. You can join Kiwisaver if you are a permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen.
CAB provides free, confidential, independent information and advice.
CAB North Canterbury:
209 High Street, Rangiora
PH: 03 313 8822
Establishing your own business in New Zealand is quite a simple process, and there are many resources available to support you. Check out www.business.govt.nz for a range of tools and templates to help you get started.
Safety
The Hurunui District is considered a safe community in which to live, work and play. However, we still recommend that you take a few steps to keep yourself, your family and your belongings safe.
Don’t give your full name, address, personal details, or bank account information to people you do not know or trust, especially over the phone or via email.
Consider getting insurance. Most people have car insurance, contents insurance and home insurance (if they have a property).Third party car insurance is essential if you have a car.
New Zealand is one of the least corrupt countries in the world, so you can safely trust our government and emergency services.
National Emergency Phone Number: 111
This is always free call and will connect you to the Fire Service, Police and Ambulance – www.newzealandnow.govt.nz/work-innz/employment-rights
Public Transport
There is no dedicated daily bus service from the district to Christchurch, but there are alternative options available that will require prior arrangement.
Helpful Information:
St John Health Shuttle:
Phone 0800 383 373 – Transport to medical appointments in Christchurch.
Amberley Community Bus:
Phone 0276 404 037 or email amberleybushire@gmail.com – 28-seat bus (excluding the driver) and 12-seat van (including driver) available to hire at low cost.
Amberley Community Care
Phone 022 027 6209 – Transport to medical appointments.
Amuri Community Vehicle
Phone/Text 027 299 3263 or email amurivehicletrust@gmail.com or a booking form is available at Culverden Library, Waiau Hardware and Amuri Health Centre.
Cheviot Community Vehicle Trust
Phone 03 319 8630
Hawarden-Waikari Community Vehicle Trust
Phone Waikari Health Centre to book 03 314 4506
Deb’s Private Driving Service
Phone 021 2899 256 or email dtooby.nz@gmail.com Rangiora, Waikuku and surrounds.
Lifestyle Companions
Phone 0800 625 888
Phone 027 640 4037 or email amberleybushire@gmail.com 28-seat bus (excluding the driver) and 12-seat van (including driver) available to hire at low cost.
The following shuttle and bus services are available through the Hurunui District.
Hanmer Connection – daily service from Christchurch to Hanmer Springs. Bookings essential. https://www.hanmerconnection.co.nz/ or phone 0800 242 663.
Intercity (bus service) – travels from Christchurch to Picton daily. Bookings essential. https://www.intercity.co.nz/southisland-buses
Bus companies provide services from Christchurch. For further information on these services see https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/timetables/
Information on getting a New Zealand driver’s licence can be found on the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency website at https://nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/
Driver Mentor programme in Culverden
The Hurunui District Council offers a driver mentor programme for newcomers and migrants wanting to get their full New Zealand driver’s licence. To book your spot, contact Emma Feathery at the details below:
Emma Feathery
Driver Programme Coordinator
Phone: 03 314 8816 or 027 808 4563
Email: emma.feathery@hurunui.govt.nz
Before driving
You must have a driver’s licence. You can use an international driver’s licence or permit for up to 12 months, after which you will need to get a New Zealand driver’s licence. The road rules are explained in the Road Code, which is available online at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/roadcode or you can buy one at most bookshops. Everyone in the car must wear a seatbelt and children under the age of seven must be in an approved child’s car seat.
Hurunui District Council
The Hurunui District Council is part of the Welcoming Communities programme, working with the community to help newcomers, recent migrants, former refugees and international students feel welcome in the Hurunui District.
