Western Lake news is brought to you by the team at News of Wairarapa
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
Stepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.
Our Junior students learn new skills, develop … View moreStepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.
Our Junior students learn new skills, develop confidence, aim for excellence, take risks, challenge and explore the world around them.
Every child enjoys access to a wide range of exhilarating cultural and sporting opportunities in a progressive, cosmopolitan, safe environment. We value diversity, and inclusivity – and are the school of choice for families from 54 countries worldwide.
Join us for Open Day, Years 4-6 to find out more and discover the difference a QM education will make to your child’s future.
Discover Years 4,5 and 6
Junior School Open Day
Wednesday 28 October
• 9am - 10.20am
• 5pm - 6.20pm
Places are limited. Book to avoid disappointment.
Assistance dog Bindi has made the world of difference to Wellington-based author Helen Fletcher, who suffers from multiple auto-immune disorders.
From picking up her keys and carrying her cane, to leading her to a chair when her vision blacks out and helping her up when she falls, the golden … View moreAssistance dog Bindi has made the world of difference to Wellington-based author Helen Fletcher, who suffers from multiple auto-immune disorders.
From picking up her keys and carrying her cane, to leading her to a chair when her vision blacks out and helping her up when she falls, the golden labrador is worth her weight in, well, gold.
Before she had Bindi to sleep heavily on her legs at night, she would get up and move around the house in response to hallucinations she’d suffered since she was a child.
During the Covid-19 lockdown earlier in the year, when Helen spent 12 weeks at home alone because immune-compromised, Bindi rescued Helen from a fall.
Hey Neighbourly folk, I am adding a new feature to Neighbourly every Friday. There are some amazing bird photographers in the region and I will be highlighting their best pictures.
This week's picture features my favourtite bird, the beautiful karearea (NZ Falcon). Simon Wooolf took the … View moreHey Neighbourly folk, I am adding a new feature to Neighbourly every Friday. There are some amazing bird photographers in the region and I will be highlighting their best pictures.
This week's picture features my favourtite bird, the beautiful karearea (NZ Falcon). Simon Wooolf took the picture at Wrights Hill, Karori, and wrote an interesting account of the observation.
It settled itself down on a wooden structure, preened itself, and then dosed off! Then the action started.
Three, or four Welcome Swallows decided to dive bomb the Falcon! Now in flight, and in dive mode, Falcon's are the worlds fastest birds. This bird was obviously stationary. Swallows and Swifts feature in the Top Ten Fastest Birds too. The Karearea is a threatened species in NZ. Predators are man, and while breeding cats, ferrets etc, and believe it or not hedgehogs! I have never seen other bird species attack a karearea!
Normally our falcons are fearless. I have had them land a metre away from me. If threatened, and especially in breeding season they are not just fearless, but are brave, and ruthless. Even we humans will depart the scene rapidly if attacked!
Incidentally once awake the karearea took the aerial attacks in its stride and was pretty non-plussed!
I'm pretty rapt with the series of shots I gained, as the swallows were attacking at over 150kph. There was contact made on a couple of occasions, however I wasn't quick enough to catch that part of the action, even with my camera set a1/4000 sec and with my trusty Sigma 150 - 600 lens.
If you get the opportunity to observe these wonderful Taonga of our New Bush, do so. I have never been disappointed!
Simon Woolf.
WOW WHAT A RESULT
The boys are awesome at landscaping. Check out this before and after video on Facebook by clicking the Read More button.
If you would like some landscaping work done please call Patrick today on 0800 52 5000 to get your free quote. This work will also make your gardens easier … View moreWOW WHAT A RESULT
The boys are awesome at landscaping. Check out this before and after video on Facebook by clicking the Read More button.
If you would like some landscaping work done please call Patrick today on 0800 52 5000 to get your free quote. This work will also make your gardens easier to maintain. Ring now. Please also follow and like our Facebook page. Thanks
One of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered birds has been successfully bred at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton.
Orange-fronted parakeets (kākāriki karaka) were declared extinct twice in 1919 and 1965. Today their wild population number is just 100-300 individuals.
… View moreOne of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered birds has been successfully bred at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton.
Orange-fronted parakeets (kākāriki karaka) were declared extinct twice in 1919 and 1965. Today their wild population number is just 100-300 individuals.
Successful hand-rearing of orange-fronted parakeets is considered extremely unlikely but Pūkaha had very little choice. The five chicks hatched in early August from one of the centre’s two breeding pairs, a male called Karaka and a female called Pōra. Not wanting to disturb the nest, it wasn’t until two weeks of age that rangers noticed that the feathers on the chicks were not developing. A closer inspection revealed that the chicks were bald and that their feathers had been plucked by their parents. Immediate intervention was required because the chicks were at imminent danger of dying from the cold. The only option for the parakeets’ survival was an attempt at hand-rearing.
The young chicks were immediately placed in brooders with heat lamps and fed a diet of parrot rearing formula. It took about three weeks for the chicks to get their feathers. Some six weeks later, all five chicks are fully grown, flying, and eating by themselves.
Planting for a better planet has never been more important - for food, for the environment and for health. This year in particular many Kiwis have found solace in our gardens, or embraced gardening for the first time.
The call is out to New Zealanders to get growing this National Gardening Week … View morePlanting for a better planet has never been more important - for food, for the environment and for health. This year in particular many Kiwis have found solace in our gardens, or embraced gardening for the first time.
The call is out to New Zealanders to get growing this National Gardening Week and reap the rewards of home-grown food.
To help kickstart your vegie patch and live a more sustainable life, Yates is lending a helping hand.
Just register online HERE between 1st and 18th October to receive a FREE packet of Yates Vegie Seeds.
If you’re shopping at your local The Warehouse, we need to say thanks, because you’re helping us give the planet a hand!
We’re on a journey to make it easier to shop sustainably. We’ve got more than 5,000 products on our shelves that are easier on the planet and easier on your wallet. … View moreIf you’re shopping at your local The Warehouse, we need to say thanks, because you’re helping us give the planet a hand!
We’re on a journey to make it easier to shop sustainably. We’ve got more than 5,000 products on our shelves that are easier on the planet and easier on your wallet. So it’s easy to do good every time you stop in and shop. Join us on our journey here .
Great School holiday fun here! Next to Masterton Deer Park . Grab your bike!
Only a few hundred years ago, millions of kiwi roamed Aotearoa. Today, New Zealand is home to around 70,000 kiwi, and despite efforts that number drops by 2% every year.
Save Kiwi Month is an annual celebration of all things kiwi. Join the Kiwis for kiwi Neighbourly group to learn about our … View moreOnly a few hundred years ago, millions of kiwi roamed Aotearoa. Today, New Zealand is home to around 70,000 kiwi, and despite efforts that number drops by 2% every year.
Save Kiwi Month is an annual celebration of all things kiwi. Join the Kiwis for kiwi Neighbourly group to learn about our national icon, find out about kiwi conservation efforts around the country, and find out how you can help make a difference to the kiwi population from the comfort of your own home >>> www.neighbourly.co.nz...
Another fortnight, another copy of our community newsletter, Tātou Rohe! Read it here: bit.ly...
Head to our website if you’d like to subscribe: www.gw.govt.nz...
Hey Neighbourly folk, check out this beautiful piece of writing from Stuff journalist Marty Sharpe.
The rugby gods weren’t ready for Colin Mataira.
Three times he turned up at their gates on the afternoon of July 11, and three times they sent him back. The 45-year-old father of five, and … View moreHey Neighbourly folk, check out this beautiful piece of writing from Stuff journalist Marty Sharpe.
The rugby gods weren’t ready for Colin Mataira.
Three times he turned up at their gates on the afternoon of July 11, and three times they sent him back. The 45-year-old father of five, and grandfather of three, to all intents and purposes died three times when his heart stopped on the 10-metre line of a Napier rugby field that day.
In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate through Neighbourly. Here’s everything you need to know about where to vote in Wairarapa.
The election date has been set and the campaign trail is back up and running. At the … View moreIn the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate through Neighbourly. Here’s everything you need to know about where to vote in Wairarapa.
The election date has been set and the campaign trail is back up and running. At the upcoming election on October 17, enrolled voters will have a few boxes to tick. There are two referenda on the cards, as well as the regular party and candidate selections. Here’s a breakdown of what you’re voting for and where you can vote.
Yarns in Barns officially opens this Friday - the opening event is Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, in discussion with David Cohen author of a new book "Fridays with Jim" . The self-taught son of Irish immigrants, devout Catholic, passionate King Country farmer and lobbyist, to Prime … View moreYarns in Barns officially opens this Friday - the opening event is Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, in discussion with David Cohen author of a new book "Fridays with Jim" . The self-taught son of Irish immigrants, devout Catholic, passionate King Country farmer and lobbyist, to Prime Minister of NZ. Jim Bolger is a self-made man who rose to the height of NZ politics.You'll hear this views for NZ's future and stories from a colourful life in and out of politics! Get your ticket for this and other Yarns events now.
In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what's happening in their electorate, through Neighbourly. Here's everything you need to know about the candidates in the running to be the Wairarapa MP.
At the October 17 election, New Zealanders will have the … View moreIn the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what's happening in their electorate, through Neighbourly. Here's everything you need to know about the candidates in the running to be the Wairarapa MP.
At the October 17 election, New Zealanders will have the opportunity to choose their regional spokesperson.
Through the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, those enrolled can vote for the party they want as well as a local representative.
Hi Neighbours,
Get ready for the South Island's only leader’s debate as Labour Leader Jacinda Ardern and National Leader Judith Collins prepare to go head to head in Christchurch.
Watch the debate live on Stuff, Tuesday, October 6 at 7pm.
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…