406 days ago

GET OUT OF PETONE

Michael from Trentham

A bad sign is when it seems obvious that insurance companies are going to raise their premiums for property insurance beyond the affordability of the average homeowner or retailer - and even suspend insurance cover.

So this is what is forecasted for a large majority of the Lower Hutt sea side, low-lying suburb of Petone as well as areas heading towards Eastborne.

The issue is climate change which is now well embedded and will see a rising sea and excessive rainfall during year upon year.

As well there is the sinking of the land to contend with.

And there is little that the local authority or the residents of the affected areas can do to barricade against the real prospect of submerging properties within the next 15 years rain-wise and 30 years sea-wise.

Jackson Street with its huge retail presence including around 80 eateries and housing beyond Jackson Street in both directions will be swept away or uninhabitable and all either uninsurable or unaffordability of being insured.

I have friends who help design the only new residential home in Jackson Street in maybe 60 years. And their flash two storey modern home of some 3 years will be mainly useless against the torrent of flooding.

I spent all my teenage years living in Petone, played rugby for Petone and later was for a time connected with the Petone Athletic Club and worked in Petone for two different companies. But my advice is for those living there right now is to get out and live somewhere less likely to be severely waterlogged. You can sell at the market price right now to many silly or naive people unaware or unperturbed by what the future has in store.

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Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Moe mai rā, Nicholas.

Justin Wong Reporter from The Post

We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.

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1 day ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 83.2% Yes
    83.2% Complete
  • 14.5% No
    14.5% Complete
  • 2.3% Other - I'll share below
    2.3% Complete
1056 votes