The Lion Generator—a great tale of student ingenuity

Above: Rt Hon Helen Clark and Labour MP for Port Hills Ruth Dyson meet with the entrepreneurial team behind the Lion Generator.

 A great example of Kiwi ingenuity was revealed this week with the launch of ‘The Lion’ emergency power generator created by six students from St Thomas of Canterbury College. With special guest Rt Hon Helen Clark in attendance, after being invited by the students on Facebook, the nifty power generator, which was sparked by the students’ experience following the September quakes, was unveiled. The students wanted a product that would make use of readily available resources and assist others. The result is ‘the Lion’ generator; which generates electricity from waste heat to charge cell phone batteries, AA batteries and power a high intensity light. Perfect for an emergency! The generators are on sale at Mitre 10 Mega Hornby for just $49.95. Well done to these amazing students and the inspiration they receive from their teachers. The students were pretty overwhelmed by Helen Clark responding to their Facebook invitation for her to be there.

Government to meet quake victims’ families

The battle of Christchurch families to persuade the Government to provide them with independent legal support for the Commission of Inquiry continues, but at least the Government has now agreed to meet them. Families can’t understand what the Government’s reasoning is and don’t accept the Government’s explanation that their needs will be looked after by a liaison officer and the counsel assisting the Commission. They argue that if that was so, why wasn’t only this level of support provided for the Pike River families? John Key told the Christchurch families he would do all he could to support them, but the first time they have asked for anything, they have been knocked back. Christchurch was a natural disaster in which a large number of people died. No one can explain why there is a downside to providing independent legal support. The families hope they will receive that explanation when they meet the Attorney-General.

Boundary issues need to be assessed sooner rather than later

Labour is pressing the government for answers as to why it is taking so long to resolve the future of orange zone properties. It seems the main issue is whether the cost of the land treatment--- needed to improve the land to an insurable standard, enabling it to be green zoned--- will outweigh the net cost to government of a red zone pay-out. This exercise cannot require such an extended amount of time for a decision to be made. There is also the need to reassess some properties on the border of the red zones. The Government has said they will have to wait until all the other assessment work is complete – which on this timetable could be several months away.  Labour argues this is unreasonable as there are clear boundary issues which need to be addressed, sooner rather than later. Labour has written to the Minister about constituent concerns.

Farmy Army delivers roast dinners out east

The Farmy Army will be back at work in the eastern suburbs this Friday delivering 'Sunday Roast Packs' for 600 families. Each pack is made up of frozen meat donated by the Alliance Group, vegetables donated by farmers from around Ashburton, and Beef+Lamb recipe suggestions. Senior Sergeant Roy Appley and the New Brighton Police Station team are literally stepping up to the plate once more to ensure that these packs get to the households that need them.  The Farmy Army is working closely with Rural Women New Zealand, the Student Volunteer Army and other volunteers to get these packs into Christchurch's eastern suburbs. The main distribution centre will be the New Brighton Police Station's front yard from 1-3pm (147-149 Seaview Road, New Brighton) although there will be some packs distributed to those who are unable to make it to the station.

Victory for Playcentre

This week’s Playcentre funding rally was a great success. Originally intended as a protest it was changed to a celebration after John Key’s rapid flip-flop on funding cuts. Well done to Playcentre and all the families who turned out.

Thanks Dunedin, but we want our team to play in our city!

Part demolitions and uncertainty continue for AMI Stadium, home to the mighty Crusaders. The Hadlee Stand is worst hit and will be demolished. The future of the Paul Kelly Stand and the new Deans Stand remains uncertain. Repairs are being suggested but their effectiveness is not clear until attempted. We hope AMI Stadium can be repaired but even then it is unclear whether it could be reinsured. It feels a bit like those delays after February 22 before the RWC Games were confirmed as not proceeding. Great to hear the Canterbury Rugby Union is determined to find an alternative base next year in Christchurch – thanks Dunedin, but we want our team to play in our city. If there is one place we need some certainty about in Christchurch it is a permanent home for the Crusaders, be it AMI Stadium or somewhere else. It is hard to think of anything that could boost our city’s and region’s psyche more  than our crusading men in red and black playing home games again.

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