Kelson, Lower Hutt

Time to tidy that garage

Time to tidy that garage

Use Neighbourly Market to make a few bucks while you're at it

1529 days ago

Conservation dog has a nose for kororā

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Mena is a super dog hero.

Certified by the Department of Conservation to work as a conservation dog, she has done her bit to keep kororā (little blue penguins) safe on Cobham Drive.

Wellington City Council engineer Veronica Byrne sees careful penguin management as a top priority for the Cobham … View more
Mena is a super dog hero.

Certified by the Department of Conservation to work as a conservation dog, she has done her bit to keep kororā (little blue penguins) safe on Cobham Drive.

Wellington City Council engineer Veronica Byrne sees careful penguin management as a top priority for the Cobham Drive project, which is transforming this previously neglected area into a much more appealing place for people to walk, run, bike, scoot and spend time.

Every morning before work begins, workers checks for kororā which could have taken refuge over night.

They check under and around vehicles, and in the areas where rock is going to be moved from and to – using a torch when necessary, and a special camera to help them see into the crevices between rocks.

Mena has also played a key role. A New Zealand-born Hungarian Vizsla, she is specially trained to find places where penguins may be present, or have been regularly frequenting.

The detection experts from Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute (KORI) have carried out three searches so far, checking vegetation and rocks along the foreshore and mapping spots where special care needs to be taken.

Penguins tend to avoid the construction zone, but if one is spotted, which has happened on a few occasions, work in the immediate vicinity stops, and the team seek advice expert advice on the best course of action.

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1529 days ago

A saucy rebrand brings te reo Māori to Kiwi fridges and dinner tables

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

Are you looking for a new pantry staple? A Canterbury restaurateur has launched his own te reo Māori-branded tomato sauce after boycotting another for “bastardising” the language.

Fush owner Anton Matthews has teamed up with Barkers to produce Kīnaki Tomato after removing … View more
Hi neighbours,

Are you looking for a new pantry staple? A Canterbury restaurateur has launched his own te reo Māori-branded tomato sauce after boycotting another for “bastardising” the language.

Fush owner Anton Matthews has teamed up with Barkers to produce Kīnaki Tomato after removing Watties from his Christchurch restaurant because the company poked fun at Māori place names in an advertising campaign.

Matthews, who has become well-known for championing the country’s indigenous language, is proud to have te reo Māori on sauces displayed on his tables.

When he went in search of a new sauce to accompany his kaimoana (fish) and chips in January, they picked a sauce they loved, and asked the Geraldine-based condiment producer if it could collaborate on a label.

“I’m really stoked that they’ve taken a chance on us.”

To read more about Kīnaki Tomato, click here

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1529 days ago

Bold plan to boost Māori economic prosperity

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A regional strategy designed to boost Māori prosperity has been launched by the regional council..

The strategy focuses on five primary areas, each supported by an integrated range of actions to deliver economic, cultural, environmental, social and leadership outcomes for Māori over the next 10 … View more
A regional strategy designed to boost Māori prosperity has been launched by the regional council..

The strategy focuses on five primary areas, each supported by an integrated range of actions to deliver economic, cultural, environmental, social and leadership outcomes for Māori over the next 10 years.

Coordination of the project was led by Te Puritanga Jefferies, Senior Māori Economic Development Advisor within Te Pane Matua Taio (Greater Wellington), and supported by contractors from Orauariki, Wellington School of Business and Government.

The strategy is a first for Wellington and a key objective is to increase the number of Māori in Wellington’s professional workforce.

The strategy is called Te Matarau a Māui: Collaborative Pathways to Prosperous Māori Futures..

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1529 days ago

Dual Te Reo Māori/English names proposed for Belmont Regional Park

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Māori place names, more walking trails and significant additions to mountain biking facilities and improved access for Porirua residents, are among many proposals designed to boost recreation in the Belmont Regional Park.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council is currently consulting on its … View more
Māori place names, more walking trails and significant additions to mountain biking facilities and improved access for Porirua residents, are among many proposals designed to boost recreation in the Belmont Regional Park.

The Greater Wellington Regional Council is currently consulting on its long term plans for the park.

The proposals include better access for Porirua residents and realigning existing trails to connect with Transmission Gully motorway underpasses for access to eastern parts of the park.

The council also wants to significantly improve existing mountain bike trails.

It is also looking at enhancing the park’s cultural heritage – by re-naming or identifying dual Te Reo Māori /English names of key locations in the park.

How would you like to see the park developed over the next 20 years?

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1530 days ago

Poll: Is it time to ban smoking in public?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Earlier this month the Upper Hutt City Counci voted to extend its existing ban on smoking in public.

The ban covers all parks, reserves and sports grounds, as well as bus stations and bus stops.

Mayor Wayne Guppy said the Council wanted the city’s public spaces to be healthy environments for … View more
Earlier this month the Upper Hutt City Counci voted to extend its existing ban on smoking in public.

The ban covers all parks, reserves and sports grounds, as well as bus stations and bus stops.

Mayor Wayne Guppy said the Council wanted the city’s public spaces to be healthy environments for its children and young people to play in and enjoy.

A number of councils in the region have similar bans. Is it time to become totally smokefree and ban smoking in all public areas?

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Is it time to ban smoking in public?
  • 62.7% Should there be a total ban on smoking in public
    62.7% Complete
  • 37.3% No the current rules are tough enough
    37.3% Complete
491 votes
1530 days ago

Masks are icing on the cake for Petone shop

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A cake store may not seem like the obvious candidate to offer handmade face masks, but a collaboration between a Wellington crafter and a Petone cake store has taken off.

Jhan Lindsay began the project when she used some leftover materials for a mask for her partner to wear when working in the … View more
A cake store may not seem like the obvious candidate to offer handmade face masks, but a collaboration between a Wellington crafter and a Petone cake store has taken off.

Jhan Lindsay began the project when she used some leftover materials for a mask for her partner to wear when working in the close confines of a construction job. One week and more than a hundred masks later, the Wellington musician, composer and teacher is struggling to keep up with demand.

Pictures of her creations on her Facebook page quickly led to friends requesting masks for their own use. Soon after local cake shop Cake It Forward approached her to supply masks for their Jackson St store.

On the evening of the announcement that masks would be mandatory for people travelling on public transport, Lindsay received an order for another 100 of her home-sewn, reusable masks.

Cake It Forward owner Bridget Cheesman is donating proceeds from the sale of masks to Women's Refuge.

Cake It Forward started from an initiative to provide cakes for birthdays and special occasions for kids with a parent in prison.

1538 days ago

Have you experienced transport staff policing physical distancing on bus or train services?

Matt Tso Reporter from Community News

A commuter has reported standing passengers were asked to disembark the 4.17pm train from Wellington to Upper Hutt on Tuesday.

On Monday Metlink confirmed staff were not responsible for enforcing physical distancing on buses - saying this would be left to passengers.

Response from Metlink … View more
A commuter has reported standing passengers were asked to disembark the 4.17pm train from Wellington to Upper Hutt on Tuesday.

On Monday Metlink confirmed staff were not responsible for enforcing physical distancing on buses - saying this would be left to passengers.

Response from Metlink general manager Scott Gallacher:

“Passengers are responsible for their own physical distancing measures. The Government have made it clear that public transport frontline workers are not expected to risk their own health and safety by enforcing physical distancing.

That said, where our frontline staff see safe and low risk opportunities for action they will use their own discretion to do so, as seen in these instances. We support our frontline staff when they make these calls. This is all about everyone looking out for each other and taking personal responsibility.

Our conditions of carriage across rail, bus and ferry state that passengers must comply with our team’s instructions at all times.”

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1537 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Matt Tso Reporter from Community News

Righto team, where are we this week?

Let us know where you think this scene is. These days the tram tracks are gone, but it doesn't look too different.

As with last week's Way Back Wednesday, today's photograph comes courtesy of Graham Stewart and the Woolf Collection.

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1531 days ago

Marko Stamenic joins top Danish club

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Western Suburbs midfielder Marko Stamenic has joined Danish Superliga side FC Copenhagen.

Stamenic is one of New Zealand's most exciting young players. He was set to earn a call-up to Danny Hay’s All Whites squad for the March friendlies against Bahrain and Oman, only for the games to be … View more
Western Suburbs midfielder Marko Stamenic has joined Danish Superliga side FC Copenhagen.

Stamenic is one of New Zealand's most exciting young players. He was set to earn a call-up to Danny Hay’s All Whites squad for the March friendlies against Bahrain and Oman, only for the games to be cancelled.

The Ole Football Academy product will be playing for FC Copenhagen’s under-19 team.

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1530 days ago

Urgent appeal for sightings of missing Wellington man

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellington Police are urgently seeking sightings of Izeah Hall-Taputu, who has been missing since Wednesday morning.

Hall-Taputu, 20, has been reported missing from his home in Cannons Creek, and police have significant concerns for his welfare.

If you have seen him today, or you have information… View more
Wellington Police are urgently seeking sightings of Izeah Hall-Taputu, who has been missing since Wednesday morning.

Hall-Taputu, 20, has been reported missing from his home in Cannons Creek, and police have significant concerns for his welfare.

If you have seen him today, or you have information which might help find him, please call 111 immediately, quoting event number P043519039.

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1530 days ago

It's hard to beat a hand filleted piece of NZ Hoki.

McDonald's NZ

Caught locally in the sparkling waters that surround New Zealand, our Hoki is renowned for its succulent texture, white flesh and great taste.

We use the best ingredients to make all our Macca's® meals. Whether you’re in Whangarei or Queenstown, you’ll always get the great quality and … View more
Caught locally in the sparkling waters that surround New Zealand, our Hoki is renowned for its succulent texture, white flesh and great taste.

We use the best ingredients to make all our Macca's® meals. Whether you’re in Whangarei or Queenstown, you’ll always get the great quality and taste.
Find out more

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1531 days ago

First home buying stories wanted

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Hi everyone! I'm Kylie, a Homed reporter. We're looking for people who have fairly recent, interesting, unique or off-the-wall stories to tell about how they bought their first homes. Did you move away from your home just to find a more affordable property? Did you scrimp and save for … View moreHi everyone! I'm Kylie, a Homed reporter. We're looking for people who have fairly recent, interesting, unique or off-the-wall stories to tell about how they bought their first homes. Did you move away from your home just to find a more affordable property? Did you scrimp and save for years to get a deposit together? Perhaps your family chipped in to help get you on the ladder? Are you older and buying for the first time? Did you choose to move into a home with a friend or another couple to make it more affordable? Please let us know in the comments below, or drop me a line in the messages. Your comments my be used in a story, but we'd also be interested in chatting to you for an exciting project coming up!

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1531 days ago

Poll: Should Hollywood stars get special treatment?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Hollywood heavyweights Kirsten Dunst​ and Jesse Plemons​ applied for an exemption to avoid having to quarantine in an Auckland hotel

Their application came at a time when virtually all foreigners were banned due to Covid-19 border restrictions. The pair applied to spend their time in a … View more
Hollywood heavyweights Kirsten Dunst​ and Jesse Plemons​ applied for an exemption to avoid having to quarantine in an Auckland hotel

Their application came at a time when virtually all foreigners were banned due to Covid-19 border restrictions. The pair applied to spend their time in a secluded Waikato property.

Although the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) refused to confirm whether an exemption was granted, the pair have told Vanity Fair they are staying in a hotel.

Their application for an exemption cited concerns over privacy and a concern they would be followed by photographers.

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Should Hollywood stars get special treatment?
  • 4.8% They deserved to get an exemption.
    4.8% Complete
  • 95.2% They were rightly denied an exemption.
    95.2% Complete
568 votes
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