Matiu/Somes Island, Lower Hutt

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

1445 days ago

Monday Sport Blast From The Past: Neroli Knight

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Known as "Bart" Neroli Knight was a pioneer of women's rugby.
These days she is a primary school teacher and coaches juniors at the Waihi Athletic Rugby club.
In August, 1990 she set a record that will probably never be broken, when she became Black Fern no 28 at aged just 15 against… View more
Known as "Bart" Neroli Knight was a pioneer of women's rugby.
These days she is a primary school teacher and coaches juniors at the Waihi Athletic Rugby club.
In August, 1990 she set a record that will probably never be broken, when she became Black Fern no 28 at aged just 15 against the Netherlands at the RugbyFest in Christchurch.
Neroli attended the Rugby World Cup in Cardiff in 1991, appearing the play-off for third against France. She next played for New Zealand in 1999, playing a test against against Canada in Palmerston North. She played her last test in 2001 but continued playing club rugby with success and for Wellington at rep level.
Clubs she was associated with include Stokes Valley, Petone and Hutt Old Boys Marist. It was not only her youthful international debut that makes Neroli unique.
She began playing in a boys team in Blenheim in 1982 when she was eight years old. She continued playing in boys teams and did so again at Hutt Valley High School.
In 2009, she married Waihi church pastor Benhur Matautia.
And how did she get that nickname? She made her international debut in 1990, the same year that Bart Simpson first appeared and with her spiky hair, she had a passing resemblance to the famous cartoon character.

1445 days ago

Neighbourly Good Sort: Nicholas Sandle

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Nicholas Sandle has achieve a remarkable milestone with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
The principal double bassist celebrated 50 years with the orchestra earlier this year and on Saturday night he retired.
Since starting as a trainee with the orchestra in February 1970, Sandle has played in … View more
Nicholas Sandle has achieve a remarkable milestone with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
The principal double bassist celebrated 50 years with the orchestra earlier this year and on Saturday night he retired.
Since starting as a trainee with the orchestra in February 1970, Sandle has played in just about every corner of the country, recorded with Split Enz and given more than 2500 performances.
He is retiring to tend his Stokes Valley garden and to spend more time with his wife, and fellow musician, June Byng.

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1450 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Hi Neighbourly folk, where is this photo and what year do you think it could be?

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1446 days ago

Save this summer with Scenic

Scenic Hotel Group

Take the scenic route this summer and enjoy exploring New Zealand at its best. With a myriad of accommodation all around our beautiful country, there is always a place you can #StayKiwi with us.

Stay one night, save 10%, stay two, save 19%, stay three or longer and you'll unlock up to 23% … View more
Take the scenic route this summer and enjoy exploring New Zealand at its best. With a myriad of accommodation all around our beautiful country, there is always a place you can #StayKiwi with us.

Stay one night, save 10%, stay two, save 19%, stay three or longer and you'll unlock up to 23% off when you book direct.
Check availability

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1452 days ago

Kākāpō crowned winner of Bird of the Year 2020

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

The kākāpō has been crowned Bird of the Year in an election that featured a delayed start, alliances, and voter fraud.
This is the flightless parrot’s second win, also taking the title in 2008.
Throughout the two-week voting period, the Antipodean Albatross topped the leaderboard with the most… View more
The kākāpō has been crowned Bird of the Year in an election that featured a delayed start, alliances, and voter fraud.
This is the flightless parrot’s second win, also taking the title in 2008.
Throughout the two-week voting period, the Antipodean Albatross topped the leaderboard with the most number one votes.
But the kākāpō, the original “okay boomer” for the male’s deep booming call, bounded into the lead with most votes overall once the preferential voting system was applied.
Top 10
Kākāpō, Toroa/Antipodean Albatross, Kakaruia/Black Robin,Kārearea/New Zealand Falcon, Kererū, Pohowera/Banded Dotterel, Kākā, Ruru/Morepork, Whio/Blue Duck, Pīwakawaka/Fantail.
The yellow and black hihi, the only bird to mate face-to-face, won the endorsement of Adult Toy Megastore, and that of the Deputy Prime Minister, The Wellington City Council, the Wellington Phoenix football team, and the Central Pulse netball team.

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1448 days ago

TV studio tower to become apartments

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Lower Hutt's inconic Avalon Studios tower is going to be converted into apartments.
Developer Ian Cassels is backing a $20m redevelopment of the Avalon Studios tower into a 68 unit apartment block.
Initially eight levels would be developed, each with five single and two double bedroom units. … View more
Lower Hutt's inconic Avalon Studios tower is going to be converted into apartments.
Developer Ian Cassels is backing a $20m redevelopment of the Avalon Studios tower into a 68 unit apartment block.
Initially eight levels would be developed, each with five single and two double bedroom units. Another floor would be released later with 12 apartments.
While prices were yet to be finalised, single-bedroom units would be priced for first home buyers “in the $500,000s”.

1446 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Jed

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

My ideal home would have a big garden for me to explore and potter around while supervised.
I would suit a family that has had dogs before as I am a big boy with a bit of strength. I would love to go for walks with my new family and check out this wonderful country we live in.
When I have nothing… View more
My ideal home would have a big garden for me to explore and potter around while supervised.
I would suit a family that has had dogs before as I am a big boy with a bit of strength. I would love to go for walks with my new family and check out this wonderful country we live in.
When I have nothing to do I have shown the ability to escape out of medium to high fencing so I need a plan to be contained during the day that doesn't involve being tied or tethered. Going to work with my new human companion would be great for me.
I am not suited to a home with/next to cats and other small animals or livestock.
If you are looking for a bigger dog that is pretty laid back then make an appointment to come and meet me.

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1447 days ago

Kids should be heard

White Ribbon

Kids ask us for attention because they are learning how to navigate the world and build relationships - they need to be able to speak and be listened to so they can learn and grow. Challenge the #outdated rules - it’s time to shake off the old and reveal the new. Find out more

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1447 days ago

Pet of the Day: Phoenix

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This weeks Pet of the Day is 10 month-old Phoenix, enjoying a Wellington bush walk with Priyal Patel
The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with… View more
This weeks Pet of the Day is 10 month-old Phoenix, enjoying a Wellington bush walk with Priyal Patel
The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo.

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1448 days ago

Open Days on draft Heritage Policy

Hutt City Council

Come tell us how you want to value, protect, celebrate and conserve heritage in Te Awa Kairangi/Lower Hutt. We are hosting nine open days to discuss Council’s draft Heritage Policy – Taonga Tuku Iho.

For more information visit our website.
Have your say

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1448 days ago

Ten Dollar Tickets

Orchestra Wellington

Just $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas Singalong. Featuring a beautiful Samoan choir, Christmas classics and a special mystery guest, this promises to be a delightful day out for all ages.
We’ll also have bouncy castles and face paints before the show … View more
Just $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas Singalong. Featuring a beautiful Samoan choir, Christmas classics and a special mystery guest, this promises to be a delightful day out for all ages.
We’ll also have bouncy castles and face paints before the show for the little ones.

Sunday 13 December 2.30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Pre-concert entertainment from 1.30pm in the Renouf Foyer.
Buy tickets now

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1448 days ago

Feathered Friday Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Our Feathered Friend this week is the red-crowned parakeet/kākāriki.
The photos are from Rosa Marie who took her camera to Zealandia to see one only of the only mainland populations in New Zealand.
Although they are widely distributed throughout the New Zealand region, and are very common on … View more
Our Feathered Friend this week is the red-crowned parakeet/kākāriki.
The photos are from Rosa Marie who took her camera to Zealandia to see one only of the only mainland populations in New Zealand.
Although they are widely distributed throughout the New Zealand region, and are very common on some islands, they are almost entirely absent from the two main islands.
One exception is Wellington, where birds from Zealandia and Matiu/Somes Islands are occasionally seen in suburban gardens.

1450 days ago

Nine-year-old threatens teenager with knife outside Lower Hutt mall

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A teenager has been threatened by a nine-year-old with a boxcutter knife outside Queensgate.
The victim's father said his son had been at the mall with two other friends when they were approached by the group on two separate occasions.
When his son went outside the mall to get his bike, they … View more
A teenager has been threatened by a nine-year-old with a boxcutter knife outside Queensgate.
The victim's father said his son had been at the mall with two other friends when they were approached by the group on two separate occasions.
When his son went outside the mall to get his bike, they were approached by the group again.
Goodwin said his son was punched in the back of the head multiple times and kicked in the legs, by the group, who demanded he hand over his bike.

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1450 days ago

Kererū killed by crossbow in Wainuiomata

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A protected kererū was recently found dead with a crossbow bolt though its body in Wainuiomata.
Lower Hutt Kereru Rescue co-ordinator Hayden James was called to retrieve the bird on Tuesday.
James said the incident was the latest in a series of incidents involving cruelty to birds in Wainuiomata.
View more
A protected kererū was recently found dead with a crossbow bolt though its body in Wainuiomata.
Lower Hutt Kereru Rescue co-ordinator Hayden James was called to retrieve the bird on Tuesday.
James said the incident was the latest in a series of incidents involving cruelty to birds in Wainuiomata.
Under the Wildlife Act, the penalty for killing protected species is up to two years in prison or a fine up to $100,000.

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1450 days ago

Work off Christmas dinner in 23,573 easy steps

Smiths City

As we head into the eating season, you might want to think about tracking your fitness. Check out our range of wearable tech, from FitBit, Huawei and Samsung, in-store or online today. smithscity.co.nz – keeping Xmas honest. Visit us online

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