Matiu/Somes Island, Lower Hutt

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Love hearing about people in our communities?

Read posts from interesting Kiwis on our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1274 days ago

A new way to live

It’s a time for fine-tuning your skills and pushing the boundaries, catching up with your mates and heading off on new adventures at the drop of a hat! No, we’re not talking about your 20s, we’re talking about your retirement.

Ross’ retirement saw the beginning of his musical journey … View more
It’s a time for fine-tuning your skills and pushing the boundaries, catching up with your mates and heading off on new adventures at the drop of a hat! No, we’re not talking about your 20s, we’re talking about your retirement.

Ross’ retirement saw the beginning of his musical journey where his passion quickly evolved from making music, to crafting guitars. It all started when Ross and some mates joined a music group where the camaraderie and togetherness were just as important as the music.

Living in a Ryman village, Ross can continue living life to the full in his retirement because they are places where you don’t retire from life, you find a new way to live .
Learn more

1279 days ago

Pet of the Day: Meet Simba

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This week we feature a cat called Simba. Who belongs to Dean Cooper from Masterton.
"Simba is around 27 years old and although starting to loose weight, is still going strong!
Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please … View more
This week we feature a cat called Simba. Who belongs to Dean Cooper from Masterton.
"Simba is around 27 years old and although starting to loose weight, is still going strong!
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 suburb you live in.

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1275 days ago

Dolly the collie has $25,000 surgery as owner keeps best mate mobile

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It has been a rough two years for Dolly the collie. The problems with Dolly’s limbs began when she was 10, resulting in the surgery on three of her four lower limbs. Her fourth limb may require surgery in the future.
Over the last two years owner Alla Baider has spent $25,000 trying to keep her … View more
It has been a rough two years for Dolly the collie. The problems with Dolly’s limbs began when she was 10, resulting in the surgery on three of her four lower limbs. Her fourth limb may require surgery in the future.
Over the last two years owner Alla Baider has spent $25,000 trying to keep her beloved pet mobile.
Dolly has an empathy with people, that really shone through the Covid lockdown, she said.
“On top of her good looks and winning smile, Dolly has a supernatural sense for whenever someone is feeling down or in pain. It’s impossible to still be upset after receiving a warm hug from her.”

1275 days ago

We Say/You Say: Leaks

Reporter The Hutt News

Kia ora neighbours,

Have you had water supply cut off as a result of burst water mains? What other water problems are prevalent in your community?

Wellington residents are filing more than 50 complaints a day regarding the capital's ageing water infrastructure.

One leak near the … View more
Kia ora neighbours,

Have you had water supply cut off as a result of burst water mains? What other water problems are prevalent in your community?

Wellington residents are filing more than 50 complaints a day regarding the capital's ageing water infrastructure.

One leak near the Prime Minister's official residence in Tinakori Road has not been fixed since being first reported in September 2020.

Wellington Water spokesman Alex van Paassen says that some longer running leaks may not be showing up in data searches.

"Sometimes they get fixed but other nearby leaks are still going; sometimes the fix doesn't work, or a new leak pops up at the same place; sometimes they're private – private leaks can get into the neighbours at war territory," he said.

Van Paasen said that there were several reasons for the delayed fixes including Wellington Water's aging workforce, lack of skilled workers and an increase in work volume.

A presentation was delivered to Wellington City councillors in late-2020 showed that almost half of the cities pipes needed replacing, with $578 million needed to clear a variety of other accumulated issues.

Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comment featured in The Hutt News.

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1275 days ago

Your local team of licensed professionals

New Vision Enterprises

At New Vision Enterprises we pride ourselves in providing quality and professional workmanship. We are a locally owned family business that offers multiple services (Plumbing, Drainage, Bathroom Renovations, and more!)

Our team of licensed professionals provide service based on quality, … View more
At New Vision Enterprises we pride ourselves in providing quality and professional workmanship. We are a locally owned family business that offers multiple services (Plumbing, Drainage, Bathroom Renovations, and more!)

Our team of licensed professionals provide service based on quality, honesty, integrity, appearance, and communication. NVE offers a full workmanship guarantee on all work completed.

Kapiti, Karori, Kilbirnie, to the Hutt Valley - we cover the Greater Wellington Region.
Give us a call. We’re here to help! 04 479 4181
Learn more

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1278 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Charlotte

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

"I was a stray mum with kittens before coming to the SPCA.
Here's what my foster mum has to say about me:

Charlotte is a sweet wee girl, gentle and friendly with kittenish spirit coming through from time to time. She was initially nervous in her new environment, but patience and gentle … View more
"I was a stray mum with kittens before coming to the SPCA.
Here's what my foster mum has to say about me:

Charlotte is a sweet wee girl, gentle and friendly with kittenish spirit coming through from time to time. She was initially nervous in her new environment, but patience and gentle encouragement has seen her become playful and sociable.

She likes being patted but isn't too fussed on being picked up and held (although this is improving) and isn't a lap cat at the moment. She spends some of her time in other rooms around the house but mostly likes company and comes when called.

She is an early riser and when she wants something can be quite vocal. She loves playing with small toys and moving things and gets quite absorbed watching action programmes on tv. A warning though, she loves electrical cables. She is a well adapted and house trained cat, and surprisingly, given her underlying nervousness, isn't scared of the vacuum cleaner, however I don't think she will like a rowdy household."

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1277 days ago

Have you seen this amazing garden?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

They had a vision for their property, but they also had three floods in 20 years. That didn't stop them pursuing the garden of their dreams though.

1277 days ago

Seaview Marina looking to expand

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Cashed-up boat buyers unable to travel are thought to be behind a spike in demand for berths that has resulted in a million-dollar expansion at a Lower Hutt marina.
Seaview Marina is putting the finishing touches on a $1.2 million 46-berth extension and has plans to install an additional 31 which … View more
Cashed-up boat buyers unable to travel are thought to be behind a spike in demand for berths that has resulted in a million-dollar expansion at a Lower Hutt marina.
Seaview Marina is putting the finishing touches on a $1.2 million 46-berth extension and has plans to install an additional 31 which will allow the docks to hold more than 400 vessels.
Chief executive Alan McLellan​ says the marina is at capacity and a waiting list for spots has grown over the last couple of years.
McLellan said Seaview was the biggest marina in the region and the only one with the ability to expand. Once the new berths were built, there would be no room for more.

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1277 days ago

Your Big Mac, ordered from here.

McDonald's

New Zealand’s lush green pastures and temperate climate means our country produces some of the world’s best beef.

New Zealand is one of McDonald’s top ten beef-producing markets and it’s such a hit with the rest of the world that a significant percentage of NZ’s beef exports are to … View more
New Zealand’s lush green pastures and temperate climate means our country produces some of the world’s best beef.

New Zealand is one of McDonald’s top ten beef-producing markets and it’s such a hit with the rest of the world that a significant percentage of NZ’s beef exports are to international McDonald’s markets.

We partner with many Kiwi farmers who produce our beef, including Whangara Farms which was the first beef farm outside of Europe to be invited to the McDonald’s Flagship Farmers programme.

ANZCO Foods, based in the small Taranaki town of Waitara, are responsible for making our 100% beef patties. About 90% of the staff at the Waitara plant are locals and they manage to produce around half a million patties each day.

Our quality beef cuts are minced and that’s it. No additives or fillers, just mince that is formed in patties, before they’re flash-frozen and sent to restaurants.
Learn more

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1280 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Captain John

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Captain John was recently adopted by a family. Here is what they had to say.
"To the wonderful people at SPCA. On Tuesday, Captain John came home with us to his new furever home. Safe to say he has adjusted well and is loving his new life. He has discovered the confines of the kid’s bed.
He… View more
Captain John was recently adopted by a family. Here is what they had to say.
"To the wonderful people at SPCA. On Tuesday, Captain John came home with us to his new furever home. Safe to say he has adjusted well and is loving his new life. He has discovered the confines of the kid’s bed.
He is completely calm with three kids and two dogs. Thank you for looking after him until he came to us."

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1281 days ago

Pet of the Day: Meet Ned Kelly

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This week we feature a cat with the unlikely name Ned Kelly, who belongs to John Kelly from Carterton.
"Rehomed and renamed Ned Kelly. Every inch a rebel. Moved from the country into town, Carterton."
Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on … View more
This week we feature a cat with the unlikely name Ned Kelly, who belongs to John Kelly from Carterton.
"Rehomed and renamed Ned Kelly. Every inch a rebel. Moved from the country into town, Carterton."
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 suburb you live in.

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1280 days ago

Do you support the HVHS students?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Students shut out of their classrooms because of toxic mould say the problem is a symptom of chronic underfunding for the upkeep of public schools.
About 350 Year 12 and 13 pupils at Hutt Valley High School have had to do half their weekly learning at home since Monday after unsafe levels of black … View more
Students shut out of their classrooms because of toxic mould say the problem is a symptom of chronic underfunding for the upkeep of public schools.
About 350 Year 12 and 13 pupils at Hutt Valley High School have had to do half their weekly learning at home since Monday after unsafe levels of black mould was discovered in 13 learnings spaces and a dance studio earlier this year.
At a meeting held in the school hall on Thursday night to update the community on how the school and the Ministry of Education planned to respond to the situation, deputy head student Lucy Rodger​ said while she was happy to see progress, the commitment by the ministry to demolish and rebuild C block was “horrendously and frustratingly overdue”.

1280 days ago

Mayor re-opens Days Bay Wharf with a 'manu'

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry and National MP Chris Bishop have reopened Days Bay Wharf with a triumphant ‘manu’ into Wellington harbour.
“I’ve been googling how to perfect a manu. I’m pretty sure my splash was higher than Chris’s,” said Barry.

Bishop was gracious in defeat.

View more
Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry and National MP Chris Bishop have reopened Days Bay Wharf with a triumphant ‘manu’ into Wellington harbour.
“I’ve been googling how to perfect a manu. I’m pretty sure my splash was higher than Chris’s,” said Barry.

Bishop was gracious in defeat.

“Campbell’s was much better than mine,” he said.

More a hundred people gathered in Days Bay for a karakia and speeches to mark the completion of a $4.6 million refurbishment of the 126-year-old wharf on Friday.
If you do not know what a manu is, it is a water bomb.

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1282 days ago

We Say/You Say: Paperless Trips

Reporter The Hutt News

Kia ora neighbours,

What do you think about the Snapper card extension to Wellington Train services?

Snapper will be rolled out on Wellington train services from October this year, ending over a century of paper ticket use.

The Johnsonville Line will be the first to trial the paperless … View more
Kia ora neighbours,

What do you think about the Snapper card extension to Wellington Train services?

Snapper will be rolled out on Wellington train services from October this year, ending over a century of paper ticket use.

The Johnsonville Line will be the first to trial the paperless system, with a full roll out dependent on the finalisation of commercial negotiations.

This is seen as a step towards Waka Kotahi's planned National Ticketing Solution, an initiative that would see all of New Zealand's public transport centralised on one payment system. It would let commuters pay for their journey through a credit/debit card, similar to London's Oyster Card, in use since 2011.

Share your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments featured in The Hutt News.

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