East Harbour, Lower Hutt

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman villages across the country are open every Wednesday in November.

1345 days ago

Starlings - a variety of plumage as they mature

Louise from Woburn

The variety of plumage at the moment on young birds as they transition into their adult feathers is amazing. I think a few years ago I would have thought of common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) as a dozen different species if I thought of them at all. Many of the new generation still have their … View moreThe variety of plumage at the moment on young birds as they transition into their adult feathers is amazing. I think a few years ago I would have thought of common starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) as a dozen different species if I thought of them at all. Many of the new generation still have their brown heads, but are developing their star-spangled chest feathers. Mature feathers coming in on their backs are beautiful, with pale brown borders and the middles an iridescent green in the sunlight. Nature is an artist. Notes: "Common" means they occur in other countries (...common to). Very different species of birds don't interbreed (while there is some hybrids among ducks, gulls, geese, and pheasants, it is not that common in the wild outside of closely related species), while mynas are in the same family (Sturnidae), they are a different species and don't breed with starlings. There are no official reports of mynas in Lower Hutt, they are not known to occur this far South, so if you do see one, make sure you get a photo and send it to me or log it on iNaturalist. While there are several species of starling around the world and 12 subspecies, we only have the subspecies vulgaris in New Zealand.

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1345 days ago

Million-dollar house prices spreading north into Lower Hut

Reporter Community News

Million-dollar homes are becoming the norm in southern Lower Hutt, hot on the heels of eye-watering prices in the capital.
Five real estate agents told Stuff the million-dollar mark was creeping north as buyers flee Wellington where the median house price reached a record $1.1m last month. Lower … View more
Million-dollar homes are becoming the norm in southern Lower Hutt, hot on the heels of eye-watering prices in the capital.
Five real estate agents told Stuff the million-dollar mark was creeping north as buyers flee Wellington where the median house price reached a record $1.1m last month. Lower Hutt’s median price also reached a record $839,000.
In 2012 Stuff reported the median price in the suburb was $325,000 – the highest price paid for a home then was $585,000, while the cheapest was a $100,000 unit.

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1348 days ago

Pet of the Day: Meet Baxter

Reporter Community News

Nicola Fairclough, from Miramar, is very proud of Baxter.

"Hi, this is my cockatiel, Baxter. He is 20 years old and is the cutest parrot! He sits on my shoulder and head. He can whistle tunes and say lots of things! He's always free to fly around the house."

Remember if you want … View more
Nicola Fairclough, from Miramar, is very proud of Baxter.

"Hi, this is my cockatiel, Baxter. He is 20 years old and is the cutest parrot! He sits on my shoulder and head. He can whistle tunes and say lots of things! He's always free to fly around the house."

Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say what … View more

1347 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Magie

Reporter Community News

Maggie the dog.

"Hi there my name is Maggie, I am a loveable lady looking for my forever home. In my previous home I had someone home with me full time and when left alone for periods at a time I have shown the ability to escape out of medium height fencing. So my new home would need to have … View more
Maggie the dog.

"Hi there my name is Maggie, I am a loveable lady looking for my forever home. In my previous home I had someone home with me full time and when left alone for periods at a time I have shown the ability to escape out of medium height fencing. So my new home would need to have high fencing and a plan for during the day if left alone that does not include being tied or tethered. I would love a home that has older children that have grown up around strong dogs and a home that has had experience with dogs. I have had a fair bit of training but there is always room to learn more things so would love a home that could put the time into teaching me. If you think you are the home for me get in touch with the canine team to learn more about me."
Jo Moore Photographer.

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1347 days ago

Calling all Small Business Owners!

Neighbourly Team

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1348 days ago

Proposal to get rid of free park and ride

Reporter Community News

Thousands of daily train users may have to pay to park their vehicles at stations around the Wellington region.
Regional council chair Daran Ponter said the proposal was in response to increasing demand for park and ride facilities, and the cost of constructing multi-level parking buildings to meet… View more
Thousands of daily train users may have to pay to park their vehicles at stations around the Wellington region.
Regional council chair Daran Ponter said the proposal was in response to increasing demand for park and ride facilities, and the cost of constructing multi-level parking buildings to meet that demand was prohibitive.
The proposal to do away with free park and ride spaces, is in the Greater Wellington Regional Council's draft Regional Public Transport Plan 2021-2031. Submissions close at the end of today (Friday).

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1350 days ago

Te Omanga Hospice boss wins community award

Reporter Community News

Hutt Valley residents did well in the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
Epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker took home the supreme award.
Te Omanga Hospice chief executive Biddy Harford (pictured) rook out the community award. Eastbourne resident Dr Ashley Bloomfield won the public service … View more
Hutt Valley residents did well in the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
Epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker took home the supreme award.
Te Omanga Hospice chief executive Biddy Harford (pictured) rook out the community award. Eastbourne resident Dr Ashley Bloomfield won the public service category and Upper Hutt businessman Malcolm Gillies took out the business category.
Created by The Dominion Post, the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards were started in 1989 to celebrate achievements and contributions across all sectors of the greater Wellington community, awarding those who make the region exciting and vibrant.

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1349 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Reporter Community News

Words and pic from Louise Thomas.

"Hey, mate, have you got any chips? . . .Come back, I know which one is your car." Southern black-backed gulls/karoro (Larus dominicanus) looking slightly nefarious on the back of an old boat at the Hutt Estuary.

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1350 days ago

Epidemiologist Michael Baker is the Wellingtonian of the Year

Reporter Community News

One of the country’s top epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker, who became a household name amid the Covid-19 pandemic has taken home the supreme award at the annual Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
reated by The Dominion Post, the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards were started in 1989 to … View more
One of the country’s top epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker, who became a household name amid the Covid-19 pandemic has taken home the supreme award at the annual Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
reated by The Dominion Post, the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards were started in 1989 to celebrate achievements and contributions across all sectors of the greater Wellington community, awarding those who make the region exciting and vibrant.
The 2020 Dominion Post Wellingtonian Of The Year winners:
Arts – Victor Rodger​
Business – Malcolm Gillies​
Community Service – Biddy Harford​
Education – Sally Barrett​
Environment – Dave Lowe​
Public Service – Ashley Bloomfield​
Science & Technology – Michael Baker​
Sport – Ameliaranne Ekenasio​
Youth – Brad Olsen​

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1350 days ago

Stop the agapanthus invasion

Reporter Community News

Agapanthus are flowering freely at the moment so it is a good time to think about how you can stop them from spreading by deadheading them.
In some parts of New Zealand they are considered an invasive weed.
Click on READ MORE to see a story I wrote in 2018.

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1348 days ago

No extinguishers in council buildings

Reporter Community News

A council has been panned for removing fire extinguishers from its buildings, with a critic saying people are being put at risk.
The Hutt City Council had removed most of the extinguishers from its facilities over the past 12 months following a review of its fire safety plans. Facilities include … View more
A council has been panned for removing fire extinguishers from its buildings, with a critic saying people are being put at risk.
The Hutt City Council had removed most of the extinguishers from its facilities over the past 12 months following a review of its fire safety plans. Facilities include the administration buildings and War Memorial Library.
Council spokeswoman Caryn Ellis​ said in the event of a fire, the council’s priority was for occupants to evacuate, not to fight a blaze.
Do you have fire extinguishers at your work.

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1348 days ago

Would you like to win gardening gear and plant nursery vouchers?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide… View more
Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide Bearded Irises. Plus go in the draw to win handspreaders from GARDENA and $35 vouchers from Awapuni Nurseries.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here.

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1348 days ago

BOOK SALE ENDS THIS MONDAY

Tamsin Matthews from Red Cross Shop Petone

BUY YR WINTER READING NOW, ALL BOOKS ONLY $1

Red Cross Shop in Petone
169 Jackson st

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1351 days ago

Well done Naomi Shaw

Reporter Community News

As a journalist, one of the most interesting characters I work with is Naomi Shaw. I got to know her in the early 1990s. She was a great supporter of the Hutt News and has also made a significant contribution to the Hutt Valley Sports Awards. This is what she posted on Facebook

"Guess this … View more
As a journalist, one of the most interesting characters I work with is Naomi Shaw. I got to know her in the early 1990s. She was a great supporter of the Hutt News and has also made a significant contribution to the Hutt Valley Sports Awards. This is what she posted on Facebook

"Guess this doesn’t happen very often ... but I am proud to still be part of the Saints Softball Club for 55+ years. My father managed teams in the early days and my three sisters plus numerous nieces & nephews played for the club. Now I have daughter Kiri and mokopuna Denva and Mesha playing in the same team with Mum and/or Nan still active in the club. The truth is ...I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t enjoy it so much! Surrounded by good people and still making great memories.:

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1349 days ago

Indoor pot plant holder

The Team from Resene ColorShop Petone

Make your own indoor planter and paint it in your favourite bold Resene colour to bring a bit of nature indoors to enjoy year round.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own.

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