In response to this ongoing and increasing demand for assistance from students and schools a series of Student Resource Kits has been developed to help students come to grips with a range of planning topics that the Council deals with. The range to date includes Ecological Heritage Sites, Industry, Port Hills, Radio Frequency Fields and Uses, Transportation, Travis Wetland and Urban Growth.

Although these resources were designed with high school geography students in mind they also offer value to teachers developing units of work around these subjects, and to interested members of the public. They are also a good source of information for parents and caregivers wanting to help their children.

Students who call or turn up at the Civic Offices wanting help researching their projects are encouraged to start their studies at the Central City Library's Aotearoa NZ Centre. The staff based at the centre can assist students to find published resources on their topic and can help them use databases and websites.

The Aotearoa New Zealand Centre obtains and makes available both contemporary and historical material, in a variety of formats, about New Zealand. In particular, it collects material about Christchurch and the Canterbury region.

Among its resources is a comprehensive range of Central and Local Government publications, including Parliamentary papers, official reports, annual plans and reports, district schemes and other planning documents.

As further resources become available they will also be placed on the Council's website for easy access. To check out these resources, look on the web at www.ccc.govt.nz/publications/schoolresourcekits/