News and Events

May 1-9 2004 Wheels Week Ashburton http://www.wheelsweek.co.nz/

WHEELS WEEK was first held in 1990 after identifying the need for an ‘event' to promote the District and encourage community involvement. After discussion, the theme of the Wheel was decided upon.

May 27 2004 Budget http://www.treasury.govt.nz/

The Minister of Finance, Hon Dr Michael Cullen, has announced that Budget 2004 will be delivered on Thursday 27 May 2004. Read the Minister's media release for more details.

June 4 – 6 2004 Linwood College 50th Jubilee

Sites Added

St Luke's in the City - History
History of St Luke's in the City, an Anglican church in central Christchurch.

History of Godley Head
A history of the Godley Head area including military history. Photographs. Created by the members of Godley Head Heritage Trust.

Harry Ell and the Summit Road
Information from the Summit Road Society about Harry Ell who thought up and began the development of the Summit Road and associated buildings.

Starry Nights

On a clear night you can see forever ... and if you are interested in exploring outer space, Canterbury is a good place to be.

The Canterbury Astronomical Society's observatory is located near West Melton. The facility was established in the late 1950's originally as a satellite tracking station. The observatory's existence is due to the generous bequest of R. F. Joyce, a founding member and former President of the Canterbury Astronomical Society. Every second Friday night from 21st March until October the observatory holds an open night. The cost is $5 and for information people should phone 347-9231. Groups can also be hosted mid-week.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is the research centre for astronomy in Canterbury. They run the Townsend Observatory, located in the only part of the Arts Centre still owned by the University. Public viewing is held during the months of the year when there is no daylight saving. The RASNZ Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand site is a useful source of information on eclipses, transits and planets. Christchurch City Libraries links to astronomical sites national and international..

localeye also links to Heavens Above, a site that provides information on satellite observation such as the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle, spectacular events such as the dazzlingly bright flares from Iridium satellites as well as a wealth of other spaceflight and astronomical information. It has links to astronomical information for Christchurch including satellite positions, sky charts, and planet summary data. Lunar Data has daily data including the moon's appearance, apparent geocentric position, and phases. The Sky Chart shows constellations over Christchurch and Solar Data has daily information including apparent geocentric position, dates for equinoxes and solstices and times for sunrises and sunsets.

Climate and Weather

The localeye category Climate and Weather gathers together facts, figures and research.

It lists wave buoys, research centres, weather data and stations, maps, radar, graphs, webcams and astronomical data.