Matiu/Somes Island, Lower Hutt

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

1365 days ago

Where did all the waterbeds go?

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Did you have - or do you still have - a Waterbed? I hunted high and low for someone who still used one of the originals, but couldn't find a soul who'd own up to it.
What do you think about these wonderfully kitsch pieces of retro bedroom decor?

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1364 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This week we again feature Louise Thomas, who supplied the photos and the words.

"Molly didn’t know exactly when it all went wrong, but she was pretty sure Brad had been a massive misstep. He was a real fly boy, handsome, with a cute ruff of feathers giving him a jaunty look. He used to … View more
This week we again feature Louise Thomas, who supplied the photos and the words.

"Molly didn’t know exactly when it all went wrong, but she was pretty sure Brad had been a massive misstep. He was a real fly boy, handsome, with a cute ruff of feathers giving him a jaunty look. He used to swagger onto her section of the beach with little fish gifts. Once, she had been on a fast-track career path at flight school, then six months later she was sitting on a guano-covered rock in a stinking estuary having to regurgitate mush for a screaming infant. It’s not that she didn’t love the little tyke, but he was never in the plans and some days she felt like her head was going to split open with his incessant asthmatic kvetching. And Brad? She hadn’t seen that no-good bounder in weeks. Red-billed gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae scopulinus). Parent and juvenile, Hutt Estuary."

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1364 days ago

Northern Forest Picnic Day

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Join us at Northern Forest picnic day in the majestic woods of Butterfly Creek this Sunday, 21 February.

Venture along the valley to see native orchids, Nikau palms and even Kākā and kākāriki if you’re lucky! Recharge your batteries by purchasing some delightful afternoon tea with … View more
Join us at Northern Forest picnic day in the majestic woods of Butterfly Creek this Sunday, 21 February.

Venture along the valley to see native orchids, Nikau palms and even Kākā and kākāriki if you’re lucky! Recharge your batteries by purchasing some delightful afternoon tea with freshly-made scones from our Scouts at the reimagined Tea Kiosk at Butterfly Creek picnic area ☕🥐 #gwsummer

To learn more, check out the event link below.

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1364 days ago

Residential sprinkler and irrigation system ban now in place

The Team from Wellington Water

Water demand is up and water levels are down, especially in our precious rivers.

So, we are implementing a residential sprinkler and irrigation system ban for Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington to ensure we continue to care for the environment.

🚨This will take effect from: … View more
Water demand is up and water levels are down, especially in our precious rivers.

So, we are implementing a residential sprinkler and irrigation system ban for Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua and Wellington to ensure we continue to care for the environment.

🚨This will take effect from: Midnight, Friday 12 February 2021.🚨

👉 Only hand held watering devices can be used outdoors
⚠ No sprinklers, irrigation systems or unattended hoses until further notice.

Alternate day watering still applies - even numbered properties on even numbered dates and odd numbered properties on odd numbered dates.

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1364 days ago

Our February SuperSeniors Newsletter is out now!

Office for Seniors

Our first SuperSeniors Newsletter of the year is out now!

This issue has information about a free driving course from Age Concern New Zealand and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, some advice from SPCA about pet ownership, a warning from Consumer NZ about a discount scheme being offered to … View more
Our first SuperSeniors Newsletter of the year is out now!

This issue has information about a free driving course from Age Concern New Zealand and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, some advice from SPCA about pet ownership, a warning from Consumer NZ about a discount scheme being offered to seniors, tips on how to look after your wellbeing and loads more.

Check it out and pass it on! bit.ly...

Want to subscribe? You can do so here: bit.ly...

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1367 days ago

How Waiwhetu Māori lost their land

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

You have probably driven passed it many times but do you know the truth about the Waiwhetu Marae. The land around the marae was taken by the crown in 1939 in dubious circumstances.
Te Ātiawa was never properly compensated and much of the confiscated land was not used for housing.
The seizure of … View more
You have probably driven passed it many times but do you know the truth about the Waiwhetu Marae. The land around the marae was taken by the crown in 1939 in dubious circumstances.
Te Ātiawa was never properly compensated and much of the confiscated land was not used for housing.
The seizure of the land at Waiwhetu has been compared to the Crown’s confiscation of land from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei at Bastion Point in Auckland, as in both cases the land was used for another purpose other than what the Crown stated as the reason for its seizure.
It was also not the first time the Crown took land from Te Ātiawa. A century earlier, the Government sold land around the Wellington region belonging to the iwi, without its knowledge, to British people who planned to settle in Aotearoa.

1364 days ago

Living on a boat to escape Wellington's high rentals

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Want to escape Wellington’s escalating rent prices? Consider living aboard a boat – but be prepared to fork out several thousand dollars for a vessel, and wait months for a berth in one of Wellington’s overstuffed marinas.
Wellington couple Tom Turner, 22, and Simone Zoellner, 21, have … View more
Want to escape Wellington’s escalating rent prices? Consider living aboard a boat – but be prepared to fork out several thousand dollars for a vessel, and wait months for a berth in one of Wellington’s overstuffed marinas.
Wellington couple Tom Turner, 22, and Simone Zoellner, 21, have bypassed the rental crisis by paying $100 a week for a berth in Lower Hutt's Seaview Marina.
Would you be prepared to live on a boat?

1365 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

We have been bowled over by the amazing entries to the Resene Shed of the Year 2021 competition. There's still time though, to submit yours. Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds. The winner … View moreWe have been bowled over by the amazing entries to the Resene Shed of the Year 2021 competition. There's still time though, to submit yours. Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds. The winner receives $3000 worth of gardening gear and the runner-up receives $1075 worth of prizes.

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1367 days ago

Volunteers wanted for Hutt Hospital

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

The Emergency Department at the Hutt Hospital has a volunteer group (no medical experience necessary) to help out.
Friends of the Emergency Department is a volunteer role at the Hutt Hospital that has been going since May 2017. It offers support and comfort to patients and their whānau who come … View more
The Emergency Department at the Hutt Hospital has a volunteer group (no medical experience necessary) to help out.
Friends of the Emergency Department is a volunteer role at the Hutt Hospital that has been going since May 2017. It offers support and comfort to patients and their whānau who come into the Emergency Department
If this is a role that interests you, call Annette 021 576 332.

1367 days ago

Pomare Tongan tapa cloth exhibition at Te Papa

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Meet the proud tapa cloth maker, Kaufo’ou Taulata.
She is part of a Hutt Valley-based group of women who are reviving the process of making tapa cloth, their work is this week on display at Te Papa.
Taulata is part of a group of women who call themselves Akomai Heritage. They gather together to … View more
Meet the proud tapa cloth maker, Kaufo’ou Taulata.
She is part of a Hutt Valley-based group of women who are reviving the process of making tapa cloth, their work is this week on display at Te Papa.
Taulata is part of a group of women who call themselves Akomai Heritage. They gather together to learn from each other and cultivate Tongan culture by making koloa (cultural treasures).
The exhibition runs to Sunday, February 14, Level 4 Toi Art. Akomai Heritage will host a public demonstrations on Saturday, February 13, 11am.

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1373 days ago

River Trail user wants bells on bikes

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Do you use the Hutt River Trail?
Lower Hutt resident Richard Lamb is calling on the council to make bells on bicycles compulsory.
The 85 year-old enjoys walking along the popular trail but is worried about being hit by cyclists.
Bells on bikes were once quite common and he wants every bike sold… View more
Do you use the Hutt River Trail?
Lower Hutt resident Richard Lamb is calling on the council to make bells on bicycles compulsory.
The 85 year-old enjoys walking along the popular trail but is worried about being hit by cyclists.
Bells on bikes were once quite common and he wants every bike sold to have a bell. What do you think?

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1373 days ago

Captain Tom Moore dies at 100

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

I would not normally post something like this on Neighbourly but I think we can all agree that the death of Captain Tom Moore is sad news.
What can we learn from his death and selfless actions?

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1369 days ago

Hunger for Colour - swap and save!

Resene

Swap a can of food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Bring a can of food into your local Resene owned ColorShop and you can swap it for a Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks and other community foodbanks.

By adding a … View more
Swap a can of food for a FREE Resene testpot!

Bring a can of food into your local Resene owned ColorShop and you can swap it for a Resene testpot (60-80ml).

Resene will then donate all the food brought in to The Salvation Army local foodbanks and other community foodbanks.

By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need. When you donate a can of food you'll save on your testpot purchase (save up to $5.80 on an 80ml testpot) while also helping provide disadvantaged Kiwis with food parcels when they need them most.
Find out more

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1370 days ago

Tātou Rohe - Our Region

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

The latest issue of Tō Tātou Rohe – Our Region is out! This mail-out features bite-sized stories about what’s been happening in our region, and what’s coming up.

Read it here: bit.ly...

If you’d like to subscribe, visit our website: www.gw.govt.nz...

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1370 days ago

Celebrate arts and culture in Wellington!

The Playground

Two months of free arts and performance has kicked off in Wellington with “What if the City was a Theatre?” This city-wide programme is presented by award-winning festival The Performance Arcade in collaboration with some of Wellington’s most exciting artists, events and creative … View moreTwo months of free arts and performance has kicked off in Wellington with “What if the City was a Theatre?” This city-wide programme is presented by award-winning festival The Performance Arcade in collaboration with some of Wellington’s most exciting artists, events and creative organisations.

Head into town and discover award-winning performance in the places you least expect it: dance on the Cable Car? Cabaret at crosswalks? What about opera sung from balconies? Try a different kind of weekend and see what you find with this jam packed selection of family-friendly performance throughout February and March.
Find out more

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