Eleven housing units opened in Percival Street, Beckenham, this month are the result of a unique partnership between the City Council and Colombo Street Baptist Church. The Council built the units on church land and a trust, Beckenham Community Housing Trust, was formed and raised money for landscaping and other work. The trust manages the units with the aim of providing a community for the tenants.

Active Christchurch praise:

Becoming active was easier in Christchurch than anywhere else in the country, Hillary Commission Push Play campaign manager Nigel Cass said at the Local Government New Zealand conference (in Christchurch in July). He presented the Council Leisure recreation and arts team with an award for its Active Christchurch campaign. Push Play is a campaign aimed at encouraging people to be physically active for 30 minutes each day. The local campaign was undertaken in partnership with the Christchurch YMCA, National Heart Foundation, Sport Canterbury and Crown Public Health. Sir Brian Lochore, chairman of the Hillary Commission, said Christchurch has given exceptional support to the campaign. Local programmes will continue to develop.

For information about Push Play with Active Christchurch phone Christchurch City Leisure on 941 6840 or pick up a brochure from Council venues.

Responsible Dog Owner:

The aims of Animates Puppy Playschool are to produce well-behaved dogs and candidates for Responsible Dog Owner status. Les Bruce, formerly head of the police dog section in Christchurch, and veterinarian Dr Chris Steel run the school. A Council animal control officer attends part of each course to inform people about RDO status and dog control in general. The playschool is for puppies between eight and 14 weeks old. "Like pre-school education for children, it is an enjoyable yet important part of a dog's development," says Les.