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Kia ora koutou, I am Quentin, a member of the Whaitua Te Whanganui-a-Tara Committee tasked with making recommendations to Greater Wellington Regional Council on the future of our coastal and freshwater quality, and how our water is used. Our waterways and all the fish and species that live in them … View moreKia ora koutou, I am Quentin, a member of the Whaitua Te Whanganui-a-Tara Committee tasked with making recommendations to Greater Wellington Regional Council on the future of our coastal and freshwater quality, and how our water is used. Our waterways and all the fish and species that live in them are precious taonga, so we have set out to understand how they are valued and what should be done to provide the future we want for our water.
To me, this Whaitua project is a journey where we can apply our experience and values, and develop a vision that enhances the mana of the whenua, the tangata whenua and the whole community.
We need you to be part of our journey on the Whaitua Project. This is a journey to improve the health and mauri of our waterways, we need to fix our waste and stormwater network. These are big changes, and needs to reflect our communities’ views informed by good evidence and information.
Connect with us to talk about what we can do together. You can reach us at whaitua@gw.govt.nz. To see what we have been doing visit our Facebook page, and to share what you value about our water and your solutions have your say by following the link below.
Love is in the air this month! We’re not just talking about Valentine’s Day... we’re talking about this month’s national campaign.
Our theme for February is all about finding ways to show your home and community a little extra love and care. Whether it’s organising a street clean up, … View moreLove is in the air this month! We’re not just talking about Valentine’s Day... we’re talking about this month’s national campaign.
Our theme for February is all about finding ways to show your home and community a little extra love and care. Whether it’s organising a street clean up, helping a neighbour tidy up their property, putting together a working bee, or installing a communal pātaka or library - there are countless ways to make our neighbourhoods more enjoyable for everyone.
Don’t forget to share the love! Let us know how you’re improving your neighbourhood this month by email or tag us online and include the following hashtag:
#NSNZlovewhereyoulive
SuperGold helps 750,000 older New Zealanders stretch their money further.
There’s more than 10,000 places across the country giving SuperGold discounts and special offers on everyday essentials like fuel, food, travel and healthcare.
But how do you find them? SuperGold has that sorted with… View moreSuperGold helps 750,000 older New Zealanders stretch their money further.
There’s more than 10,000 places across the country giving SuperGold discounts and special offers on everyday essentials like fuel, food, travel and healthcare.
But how do you find them? SuperGold has that sorted with a brand new website and app - great for the many tech-savvy over 65s.
The app is the fastest and easiest way to find discounts and offers when you’re out and about. So why not take advantage?
Visit www.supergold.govt.nz to find out more, or download the free SuperGoldNZ app for your smartphone or tablet, from the App Store or Google Play.
New built 2019 hilux extra cab wellside camping trailer. Has high ground clearance for offroad use. Very high quality and waterproof canvas tent takes 5 mins to put up. Has a king size bed already setup. Comes with large awning including walls and floor. Just add your personals and you are … View moreNew built 2019 hilux extra cab wellside camping trailer. Has high ground clearance for offroad use. Very high quality and waterproof canvas tent takes 5 mins to put up. Has a king size bed already setup. Comes with large awning including walls and floor. Just add your personals and you are ready to go.
Hi Folks,
Need your help to recommend me someone who can help me with raising my fence line for privacy.
Am happy to provide the material required or you can provide me a quote.
Thanks all.
A long-serving Wairarapa lawyer known as the "Rumpole" of Masterton court has been ushered into reti…
Toxic algae is quickly intensifying throughout the region, with all monitored rivers reaching health alert levels and Wairarapa’s Waipoua River remaining hazardous for swimmers.
Greater Wellington’s Otaki, Waikanae, Hutt, Ruamahanga and Waingawa river monitoring sites have exceeded the 20 per … View moreToxic algae is quickly intensifying throughout the region, with all monitored rivers reaching health alert levels and Wairarapa’s Waipoua River remaining hazardous for swimmers.
Greater Wellington’s Otaki, Waikanae, Hutt, Ruamahanga and Waingawa river monitoring sites have exceeded the 20 per cent alert threshold, and the Waipoua River is above the 50 per cent “no swimming” line. Detached mats, which are particularly hazardous for dogs, have been seen in all rivers.
It is highly likely the same conditions apply to many non-monitored rivers in other parts of the region, so it would be useful for people visiting rivers to know what toxic algae looks like so that it can be avoided.
“Our message is clear. People should stay out of the Waipoua River and remain vigilant in other rivers,” says Greater Wellington Senior Environmental Scientist Dr Mark Heath.
“Levels are expected to increase, with hot dry conditions forecast for much of the region throughout next week.
Specific site warnings are:
• Waingawa River, warning for south road site
• Ruamahanga River, warning for Morrisons bush site
• Waipoua River, warning extends from Paierau Road to confluence with the Ruamahanga
Toxic algae grows on submerged river stones, presenting with a shiny brown/dark green to violet coating. It can also become unstable and detach, floating to the surface forming small brown/black mats at the water’s edge.
Given conditions quickly change, people should be remain vigilant around rivers and streams throughout the region. This is the prime season for toxic algae, so look out for algae covering rocks and for detached mats in the water and lining riverbanks. If in doubt, stay out of the water and keep a close eye on children and dogs,
Before you swim, stay safe by finding out about toxic algae at www.gw.govt.nz....
For more information on where it is safe to swim, go to: www.lawa.org.nz...
An ongoing issue at the Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant has again resulted in a discharge of partially treated wastewater into the Ruamahanga River. This occurred on Monday 27 January between 9.20am and 11.30am.
Wellington Water is sorry that this has happened again and for the delay in … View moreAn ongoing issue at the Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant has again resulted in a discharge of partially treated wastewater into the Ruamahanga River. This occurred on Monday 27 January between 9.20am and 11.30am.
Wellington Water is sorry that this has happened again and for the delay in reporting the issue to the Council. Action is now under way to get in front of this issue and to improve protocols in communicating to both Council and customers.
Although discharging treated wastewater to the river is a consented activity under the right conditions, when the river is low these types of discharges are invariably a breach of resource consent.
The Martinborough Wastewater Treatment Plant will have a review in order for potential points of operational failure to be identified ahead of time; this work has been prioritised for the next few days.
This discharge event and the previous one involved issues with the irrigator, which meant that discharge to adjacent land didn’t happen. With the storage ponds being full and no discharge to land possible, the designed contingency is discharge to the river, which we know is unacceptable.
Authorities at Regional Public Health and Greater Wellington Regional Council as well as iwi and community liaison group representatives have been notified.
The first incident occurred between 9.45pm on Tuesday 14 January and 10am Wednesday 15 January 2020, this resulted in 90,000 litres of partially treated wastewater discharged to the Ruamahanga River.
This latest incident resulted in 100,000 litres of partially treated wastewater discharged to the river, as well as 300,000 litres of fully treated wastewater.
Due to the dilution factor in the river, it’s understood that public health and recreational water user risk from all discharges was negligible.
However, Wellington Water is committed to doing better with how wastewater discharges enter the environment and are working on options for this. A full incident response and investigation of the outcomes of this work will be released when completed.
Masterton gardeners are likely to have a brief respite from the total garden watering ban, after un…
To honour Waitangi Day Pūkaha are running a series of free, fun workshops (wānanga) where you can learn how to harvest and weave harakeke (flax).
Workshops run Mon 3 Feb - 7 Feb (including Waitangi Day).
Morning wānanga: 10.30am -12.30pm Afternoon wānanga 1.00pm - 3.00pm
The first hour … View moreTo honour Waitangi Day Pūkaha are running a series of free, fun workshops (wānanga) where you can learn how to harvest and weave harakeke (flax).
Workshops run Mon 3 Feb - 7 Feb (including Waitangi Day).
Morning wānanga: 10.30am -12.30pm Afternoon wānanga 1.00pm - 3.00pm
The first hour includes a hikoi to Pūkaha's wetlands to learn about harakeke tikanga and sustainable harvesting, followed by hands-on learning to weave your own harkakeke tuna (fish) to take home. Give them a call to book first in first served! 06 375 8004.
Get your family and friends together, pack a picnic and head to the Tauherenikau races. With live music, free kids entertainment and exciting racing action its a recipe for a great day out. Food trucks on site too.
Gates are open from 10am.
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