Longer days, shorter sprinkler use
Residential garden watering restrictions are now in place and will be for the duration of daylight saving months (30 September 2018-7 April 2019) in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington. Upper Hutt garden watering restrictions apply all year round.
These restrictions allow for the use of:
- A single watering system (sprinkler, irrigation system, soaker hose, or unattended hose) between 6-8am and 7-9pm.
- On allocated watering days:
o Even-numbered houses on even dates of the month (2nd, 4th, 16th etc.)
o Odd-numbered houses on odd dates of the month (1st, 3rd, 11th etc.)
These are base-level restrictions that apply every year, and can be increased depending on demand and supply around the region.
“It can seem a bit early to be introducing watering restrictions, but it’s never too early to get in the habit of watching every drop,” says Alex van Paassen, Wellington Water’s manager for community engagement.
“We rely on rivers and the Waiwhetu Aquifer for our regular water supply, and conditions can change quickly. While we do have the Te Marua storage lakes as back-up, these have to get us through the whole summer, and if we have another hot dry season like last year, we may need to increase restrictions.”
“If we all do our bit to reduce our demand, it will ease pressure on our supply and storage.”
For tips on how to conserve water as we enter the summer months check out: www.wellingtonwater.co.nz...
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.4% Human-centred experience and communication
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15% Critical thinking
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29.7% Resilience and adaptability
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2.8% Other - I will share below!
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