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Heroes welcomed in Canty Phone app Review link to gay syphilis epidemic switches Georgina Stylianou [email protected] A new smartphone application is fanning a syphilis epidemic out- break among Canterbury’s young gay men, a doctor says. Christchurch Sexual Health 101 to Clinic senior clinician Heather Young said gay men would usually contract syphilis after meeting at venues such as clubs, saunas or brothels but this year there had been an increase in men meeting electronically. ‘‘In 2011, sex-on-site venues red zone were associated with 50 per cent of syphilis cases but in 2012 it is more Michael Wright They were included in the commonly found after use of [email protected] changes to avoid being left internet dating sites or the Grindr surrounded by abandoned land, app,’’ she said. More than 100 Canterbury proper- where they may be cut off from Grindr is a free social network- ties have been rezoned by the essential services, Sutton said. ing app for gay men. The app uses Government, including 35 whose ‘‘You might have found a street GPS to notify members when there owners had not asked for a change. where there’s a square of 15 [green is another gay man nearby. Canterbury Earthquake Reco- zone] properties. Twelve of them Young said gay men needed to very Authority (Cera) chief execu- have applied and three of them be aware of the outbreak and tive Roger Sutton yesterday didn’t apply but they’re bedded should ‘‘take responsibility’’ by announced 104 properties would with the others.’’ ensuring they were tested. change colour from the 1341 that Non-applicants were only con- Fan frenzy: Cantabrians cheer as members of the New Zealand Olympic team arrive for the official welcome home event at Pioneer Stadium. ‘‘People think syphilis is an old were under review. sidered for rezoning if they were Photo: DAVID HALLETT/FAIRFAX NZ infection that is not associated One hundred and one quake- near properties under review. with the modern day but it is re- damaged properties will go from ‘‘If people hadn’t asked, and no- Marc Greenhill and Rachel Young emerging globally,’’ she said. green to red and be subject to the one around them had asked, we [email protected] Christchurch homosexual Crown compensation offer – valid haven’t rezoned anyone in that [email protected] Rider in a hurry forgets bronze bling Dixie McGregor said Grindr was until April 2013 and expected to case,’’ Sutton said. ‘‘the new and popular’’ way to cost about $19 million. The rezoned There was ‘‘a bit of surprise’’ Autograph-hungry fans tested the It’s a busy time for New Zealand’s morning and the entire team meet other gay men. properties are in Burwood, Dall- among homeowners unaware they endurance of Kiwi Olympians at three-day eventers, so much so returned for another meet-and- McGregor, who does not have ington, Linwood and Avondale. would be rezoned. the team’s Christchurch that in the mad rush to get on the greet in the afternoon. Budding the app, did not think it was Three will change from red to ‘‘Some of them are really homecoming. plane back home, Andrew Nichol- young riders made up the vast responsible for the rise in syphilis green, and have their offers disappointed and frustrated, and Hundreds yesterday packed the son forgot to pack his prized majority of the 300 or so attendees, cases: ‘‘It’s just the new thing at withdrawn – two in Kaiapoi and we just have to continue to work Pioneer Recreation and Sport Olympic bronze medal. while double Olympic champion the moment but no matter how one in New Brighton. with those people. It’s difficult, Centre in Spreydon to catch a The New Zealand eventing Todd was one of the main you meet someone it’s still up to All those rezoned had been because those people in some cases glimpse of the more than 80 team has been undertaking a attractions at Pioneer Stadium. the individual to make sure they notified, Sutton said. were quite happy being green and athletes, including 23 of the 27 whistle-stop tour of New Zealand, “It’s great to be part of it, you are having safe sex.’’ ‘‘For a lot of people it’s been a we’re now making them red.’’ medallists. culminating with a day in can feel the excitement the Olym- Canterbury District Health really stressful time and this is He would not guarantee all Top-performers Sarah Walker, Christchurch yesterday that coin- pics generated and how much Board clinical director of sexual another stressful period. 180,000 zonings in greater Christ- Mahe Drysdale, Mark Todd and cided with the official Olympic power it has on people,” Nicholson health Ed Coughlan said the ‘‘I was also ringing people who I church were accurate. Lisa Carrington were kept team welcome home gathering at said. “We know everyone is syphilis epidemic had got worse in knew weren’t going to be happy ‘‘The review has come up with especially busy signing Pioneer Stadium. supporting us but because we’re recent months. [they were not rezoned]. People 100 that think we got the zoning autographs and posing for photos. The five-strong equestrian team not here that often, we don’t see it. ‘‘It’s difficult to say why it’s who I know have been really wrong initially. I don’t want to use The ceremony began with managed to fit the trip in between “People on the streets and at the increased recently but once it’s in frustrated, who wanted to change statistics in a misleading way, but powhiri and a moment’s silence to events during the busy British Andrew Nicholson airport say what fun they had the community, among the men and I know have been really overall I think that level of remember the New Zealand season – the four-star Burghley watching, even if they know who have sex with men popu- distressed. They were pleased to accuracy is pretty good, consider- soldiers who died in Afghanistan. Horse Trials in England begin next didn’t have the medal. It was too nothing about horses, but they lation, it’s just very infectious, so hear it directly from us . but ing the speed by which we had to Rachel Judge and son Samuel, week – but world No 1 Nicholson late to go back, but they gave me a enjoyed watching on the telly and it’s just spreading.’’ those people are still frustrated.’’ do it, the complexity and the 1o, drove 85 kilometres from forgot the star attraction. stand-in one.” that’s part of our job, to provide He said the average age of Anyone who had applied for a pressure we were under.’’ Ashburton to meet champion “I had to leave in a bit of a Nicholson and Jock Paget took entertainment.” people contracting the sexually review and not heard their fate Wider Earthquake Communi- canoeist Carrington. hurry, I was running late for the a skills session at the National Todd said: “In Christchurch, transmitted disease had dropped would receive a letter by today. ties Action Network spokesman ‘‘We love the Olympics and airport and I was probably about Equestrian Centre at McLeans with thousands of kids here, it’s from 46 to 24, with men as young as The rezonings were for flat land Mike Coleman said the Govern- thought we needed something 20 miles from home and realised I Island, Christchurch, yesterday been absolutely brilliant.” 19 being affected. only and appeals over their status ment did not want to pay out on positive in Canterbury,’’ she said. Coughlan said there were eight were now exhausted, Sutton said. expensive land, and red-zoners Zach Gimblett, 9, lined up for reported cases in 2011. So far this ‘‘It is pretty much the end of the with high rateable values had no Todd’s signature because his INSIDE support from New Zealanders was down here and celebrate the year there had been 22. road.’’ hope of going green. ‘‘mum loves him [Todd]’’. ❯❯ felt by all the athletes. improvement of the city. I think ‘‘If it carries on this way we’ll Port Hills residents would have ‘‘People on severely damaged Flagbearer Nathaniel Foster, Olympic glow pictured A5 ‘‘We felt that you were up in the it’s also really great for us as an be looking at a fourfold increase the right to appeal when the final land that has a high rateable value 11, who led the team into the ❯❯Todd’s horses for sale D4 night screaming at us,’’ he said. Olympic team to see all the and that’s quite concerning,’’ he 37 white-zone hill properties were will be financially and emotionally auditorium, was given a hat Children filled Centennial Park support and how much people said. rezoned next month. crippled for years. I really feel for covered with signatures, including after the ceremony to meet their have been behind us,’’ she said. ‘‘Some people have reported ‘‘We’re working through them. Some people will be really those of Todd, Drysdale and heroes and play games, including Boyle had fond memories of having female sexual partners, so exactly what the appeal mecha- pleased they are red zoned . but Hamish Bond. He planned to keep The team’s record-equalling inflatable boxing, sack races and competing in the now condemned of course that poses another risk nism will be,’’ Sutton said. for others it will be a disaster. It is the hat, despite several offers to medal haul was a wonderful the shot put.

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