Matiu/Somes Island, Lower Hutt

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1490 days ago

A world full of opportunities

Queen Margaret College

Stepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.

Our Junior students learn new skills, develop … View more
Stepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.

Our Junior students learn new skills, develop confidence, aim for excellence, take risks, challenge and explore the world around them.

Every child enjoys access to a wide range of exhilarating cultural and sporting opportunities in a progressive, cosmopolitan, safe environment. We value diversity, and inclusivity – and are the school of choice for families from 54 countries worldwide.

Join us for Open Day, Years 4-6 to find out more and discover the difference a QM education will make to your child’s future.

Discover Years 4,5 and 6
Junior School Open Day
Wednesday 28 October
• 9am - 10.20am
• 5pm - 6.20pm

Places are limited. Book to avoid disappointment.
Find out more

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1494 days ago

Meet Good Sort Bindi

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Assistance dog Bindi has made the world of difference to Wellington-based author Helen Fletcher, who suffers from multiple auto-immune disorders.
From picking up her keys and carrying her cane, to leading her to a chair when her vision blacks out and helping her up when she falls, the golden … View more
Assistance dog Bindi has made the world of difference to Wellington-based author Helen Fletcher, who suffers from multiple auto-immune disorders.
From picking up her keys and carrying her cane, to leading her to a chair when her vision blacks out and helping her up when she falls, the golden labrador is worth her weight in, well, gold.
Before she had Bindi to sleep heavily on her legs at night, she would get up and move around the house in response to hallucinations she’d suffered since she was a child.
During the Covid-19 lockdown earlier in the year, when Helen spent 12 weeks at home alone because immune-compromised, Bindi rescued Helen from a fall.

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1490 days ago

Friday Bird of the Week.

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Hey Neighbourly folk, I am adding a new feature to Neighbourly every Friday. There are some amazing bird photographers in the region and I will be highlighting their best pictures.
This week's picture features my favourtite bird, the beautiful karearea (NZ Falcon). Simon Wooolf took the … View more
Hey Neighbourly folk, I am adding a new feature to Neighbourly every Friday. There are some amazing bird photographers in the region and I will be highlighting their best pictures.
This week's picture features my favourtite bird, the beautiful karearea (NZ Falcon). Simon Wooolf took the picture at Wrights Hill, Karori, and wrote an interesting account of the observation.

It settled itself down on a wooden structure, preened itself, and then dosed off! Then the action started.
Three, or four Welcome Swallows decided to dive bomb the Falcon! Now in flight, and in dive mode, Falcon's are the worlds fastest birds. This bird was obviously stationary. Swallows and Swifts feature in the Top Ten Fastest Birds too. The Karearea is a threatened species in NZ. Predators are man, and while breeding cats, ferrets etc, and believe it or not hedgehogs! I have never seen other bird species attack a karearea!
Normally our falcons are fearless. I have had them land a metre away from me. If threatened, and especially in breeding season they are not just fearless, but are brave, and ruthless. Even we humans will depart the scene rapidly if attacked!
Incidentally once awake the karearea took the aerial attacks in its stride and was pretty non-plussed!
I'm pretty rapt with the series of shots I gained, as the swallows were attacking at over 150kph. There was contact made on a couple of occasions, however I wasn't quick enough to catch that part of the action, even with my camera set a1/4000 sec and with my trusty Sigma 150 - 600 lens.
If you get the opportunity to observe these wonderful Taonga of our New Bush, do so. I have never been disappointed!
Simon Woolf.

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1491 days ago

Hutt housing market booming

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Lower Hutt is undergoing a housing boom, with demand outstripping supply.
On Monday, a 11 unit townhouse development was purchased off the plans within 24 hours.
Developer Blair Chappell said he could have sold another 100, such was the demand.
Real Estate Institute New Zealand figures show Lower … View more
Lower Hutt is undergoing a housing boom, with demand outstripping supply.
On Monday, a 11 unit townhouse development was purchased off the plans within 24 hours.
Developer Blair Chappell said he could have sold another 100, such was the demand.
Real Estate Institute New Zealand figures show Lower Hutt was one fastest rising house prices in the country in the past year. In August, the median house price hit a record $670,000, rising 22.5 per cent over 12 months to the end of August. This outstripped the capital, Auckland and other regions with fast rising house prices, such as Southland and Hawke’s Bay.

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1492 days ago

Success in breeding kākāriki karaka

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

One of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered birds has been successfully bred at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton.

Orange-fronted parakeets (kākāriki karaka) were declared extinct twice in 1919 and 1965. Today their wild population number is just 100-300 individuals.
View more
One of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered birds has been successfully bred at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton.

Orange-fronted parakeets (kākāriki karaka) were declared extinct twice in 1919 and 1965. Today their wild population number is just 100-300 individuals.

Successful hand-rearing of orange-fronted parakeets is considered extremely unlikely but Pūkaha had very little choice. The five chicks hatched in early August from one of the centre’s two breeding pairs, a male called Karaka and a female called Pōra. Not wanting to disturb the nest, it wasn’t until two weeks of age that rangers noticed that the feathers on the chicks were not developing. A closer inspection revealed that the chicks were bald and that their feathers had been plucked by their parents. Immediate intervention was required because the chicks were at imminent danger of dying from the cold. The only option for the parakeets’ survival was an attempt at hand-rearing.

The young chicks were immediately placed in brooders with heat lamps and fed a diet of parrot rearing formula. It took about three weeks for the chicks to get their feathers. Some six weeks later, all five chicks are fully grown, flying, and eating by themselves.

1491 days ago

National Gardening Week 19-26th October

Yates NZ

Planting for a better planet has never been more important - for food, for the environment and for health. This year in particular many Kiwis have found solace in our gardens, or embraced gardening for the first time.

The call is out to New Zealanders to get growing this National Gardening WeekView more
Planting for a better planet has never been more important - for food, for the environment and for health. This year in particular many Kiwis have found solace in our gardens, or embraced gardening for the first time.

The call is out to New Zealanders to get growing this National Gardening Week and reap the rewards of home-grown food.

To help kickstart your vegie patch and live a more sustainable life, Yates is lending a helping hand.

Just register online HERE between 1st and 18th October to receive a FREE packet of Yates Vegie Seeds.
Learn more

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1491 days ago

Thanks for doing good in your hood!

The Warehouse

If you’re shopping at your local The Warehouse, we need to say thanks, because you’re helping us give the planet a hand!

We’re on a journey to make it easier to shop sustainably. We’ve got more than 5,000 products on our shelves that are easier on the planet and easier on your wallet. … View more
If you’re shopping at your local The Warehouse, we need to say thanks, because you’re helping us give the planet a hand!

We’re on a journey to make it easier to shop sustainably. We’ve got more than 5,000 products on our shelves that are easier on the planet and easier on your wallet. So it’s easy to do good every time you stop in and shop. Join us on our journey here .
Find out more

1498 days ago

October is Save Kiwi Month

The Team from Kiwis for kiwi

Only a few hundred years ago, millions of kiwi roamed Aotearoa. Today, New Zealand is home to around 70,000 kiwi, and despite efforts that number drops by 2% every year.

Save Kiwi Month is an annual celebration of all things kiwi. Join the Kiwis for kiwi Neighbourly group to learn about our … View more
Only a few hundred years ago, millions of kiwi roamed Aotearoa. Today, New Zealand is home to around 70,000 kiwi, and despite efforts that number drops by 2% every year.

Save Kiwi Month is an annual celebration of all things kiwi. Join the Kiwis for kiwi Neighbourly group to learn about our national icon, find out about kiwi conservation efforts around the country, and find out how you can help make a difference to the kiwi population from the comfort of your own home >>> www.neighbourly.co.nz...

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1492 days ago

Pop-up Hub in Seatoun

Corinne Morris from

Join us for a cup of tea and a light lunch at our monthly pop-up hub in Seatoun.

This is a FREE social gathering for 65+ year olds. You can enjoy a cup of tea, while making new friends. There is no need to register, just turn up. You are welcome to bring you mobile and laptop if you have any … View more
Join us for a cup of tea and a light lunch at our monthly pop-up hub in Seatoun.

This is a FREE social gathering for 65+ year olds. You can enjoy a cup of tea, while making new friends. There is no need to register, just turn up. You are welcome to bring you mobile and laptop if you have any questions or need some help.

When: 20th October at 12pm - 2pm
Where: Seatoun Village Hall, 22 Forres Street, Seatoun

For more information call 04 499 6648.

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1492 days ago

Steady As You GO Karori Class

Corinne Morris from

Our Steady As You GO Karori class, taken on Monday. Keeping fit and having fun 😀

If you would like information on our various SAYGO classes in the greater Wellington area, call 04)499 6646 or visit www.acwellington.org.nz...

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1492 days ago

Bowled over to have world champs

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Naenae Bowling Club is hosting the World Singles Champion of Champions tournament for the next two years.
Competitors will come from 28 different countries, bringing supporters and visitors to the region. The World Singles event follows on from Naenae previously hosting the televised Bowls Premier … View more
Naenae Bowling Club is hosting the World Singles Champion of Champions tournament for the next two years.
Competitors will come from 28 different countries, bringing supporters and visitors to the region. The World Singles event follows on from Naenae previously hosting the televised Bowls Premier League and Bowls 3five finals along with several national tournaments.
Club President Glenn McTaggart said it was an honour to be selected for such a prestigious event. The $6.25 million council facility was opened in September 2017.

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1492 days ago

Tātou Rohe - Our Region

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Another fortnight, another copy of our community newsletter, Tātou Rohe! Read it here: bit.ly...

Head to our website if you’d like to subscribe: www.gw.govt.nz...

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1493 days ago

Heart stopping yarn

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Hey Neighbourly folk, check out this beautiful piece of writing from Stuff journalist Marty Sharpe.

The rugby gods weren’t ready for Colin Mataira.
Three times he turned up at their gates on the afternoon of July 11, and three times they sent him back. The 45-year-old father of five, and … View more
Hey Neighbourly folk, check out this beautiful piece of writing from Stuff journalist Marty Sharpe.

The rugby gods weren’t ready for Colin Mataira.
Three times he turned up at their gates on the afternoon of July 11, and three times they sent him back. The 45-year-old father of five, and grandfather of three, to all intents and purposes died three times when his heart stopped on the 10-metre line of a Napier rugby field that day.

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1494 days ago

Where have all the houses gone?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Lower Hutt property agents are reporting a record low number of houses for sale.
On Sunday there were only 154 houses listed for sale in Lower Hutt.
Last year, there were roughly that number at the same time. The lack of stock is pushing prices up at a time when the market is already very tight.

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1493 days ago

Election 2020: Te Tai Tonga candidates for local MP

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hey neighbours,

In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate, through Neighbourly. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates in the running to be Te Tai Tonga's MP.

At the October 17 election, New Zealanders … View more
Hey neighbours,

In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate, through Neighbourly. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates in the running to be Te Tai Tonga's MP.

At the October 17 election, New Zealanders will have the opportunity to choose their regional spokesperson.

Through the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, those enrolled can vote for the party they want as well as a local representative.

Why does my MP matter?

The person elected will be the voice for your region in Parliament. If you’re having trouble getting entitlements or dealing with Government departments, they can help. If your community needs funding for certain projects or activities, or there isn’t enough healthcare in the area, the elected MP can step in and help.  

To read more, click here.

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