Matiu/Somes Island, Lower Hutt

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

1508 days ago

Riverbank Market gets the green light

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Great news Lower Hutt residents. The move to level one means the Riverbank Market will go ahead this Saturday.

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1508 days ago

Masks no longer compulsory for commuters

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Following the Government’s alert level 1 announcement Metlink has confirmed that face coverings will not be mandatory on board bus, ferry and train services from Tuesday September 22 2020. While some passengers may continue to wear face coverings out of personal preference, the focus for all … View moreFollowing the Government’s alert level 1 announcement Metlink has confirmed that face coverings will not be mandatory on board bus, ferry and train services from Tuesday September 22 2020. While some passengers may continue to wear face coverings out of personal preference, the focus for all passengers should now be on personal hygiene measures and tracking journeys. Metlink is encouraging all passengers to log their travel, using the Government’s COVID-19 tracing app for contact tracing purposes. For further updates check out the Metlink website metlink.org.nz/covid-19

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1511 days ago

Poll: Do you support a by-law banning junk mail?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellington City is proposing a by-law banning unaddressed or advertising mail being put in letter boxes marked "no circulars" or '"no junk mail".
The by-law is part of a waste management plan to reduce the amount of material going in to landfills.

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Do you support a by-law banning junk mail?
  • 74.5% Yes
    74.5% Complete
  • 25.5% No
    25.5% Complete
717 votes
1509 days ago

Pioneering retirement for a trailblazing generation

There is a new generation of New Zealander, seeking a new way to live in retirement. They are living their lives with passion and purpose, striving to push further, to create better, to go beyond the ordinary.

A new generation of Kiwis are not retiring from life; they’re finding a new way to … View more
There is a new generation of New Zealander, seeking a new way to live in retirement. They are living their lives with passion and purpose, striving to push further, to create better, to go beyond the ordinary.

A new generation of Kiwis are not retiring from life; they’re finding a new way to live. One with flexibility, certainty, and the ability to dial care up and down as you need it.
Learn more

1511 days ago

Poll: Do you support the council providing wheelie bins?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A move to modernise rubbish collection in Hutt City or a backward step to create a monopoly and force local firms out of business?

Those are the conflicting views of a council decision to introduce a new waste collection and kerbside recycling system. Opponents claim that council-supplied … View more
A move to modernise rubbish collection in Hutt City or a backward step to create a monopoly and force local firms out of business?

Those are the conflicting views of a council decision to introduce a new waste collection and kerbside recycling system. Opponents claim that council-supplied wheelie bins will create a monopoly and force a number of firms that supply bins to close down, with a loss of local jobs.

Tell us what you think. If you do not not want your comments used in a story please put NFP (Not For Publication).

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Do you support the council providing wheelie bins?
  • 47.1% Yes
    47.1% Complete
  • 46.6% No
    46.6% Complete
  • 6.3% Not sure
    6.3% Complete
189 votes
1515 days ago

It is time to count Kererū

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It’s time for the Great Kererū Count 2020. Kererū Discovery is calling on all Kiwis to get out and count kererū.

Kererū only live in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whether you love their classic white singlets, their whooping wingbeats, or their awesome air shows, kererū are as Kiwi as kiwi.

This … View more
It’s time for the Great Kererū Count 2020. Kererū Discovery is calling on all Kiwis to get out and count kererū.

Kererū only live in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whether you love their classic white singlets, their whooping wingbeats, or their awesome air shows, kererū are as Kiwi as kiwi.

This year the annual Great Kererū Count 2020 runs from 18-27 September.

As well as being real characters of the bush, kererū are also known as the gardeners of the sky –spreading precious seeds of forest giants such as tawa, miro and hinau. Tony Stoddard of Kererū Discovery, who coordinates the count, says kererū can pop anywhere

“At this time of the year kererū will be flocking to trees like willow and tree lucerne. These trees are kererū-magnets as the birds come out of their winter-feeding grounds and prepare for the breeding season by feeding on the nitrogen-rich leaves.”

“In urban areas, kōwhai are another important food source for kererū, and you will often see or hear angry tui defending their trees from hungry kererū.”

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1511 days ago

Rosemary a Good Sort at 72

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Rosemary’s voice has provided comfort to anxious, lonely and depressed callers on the Samaritans helpline for five decades.

She is known as Rosemary 23, the call number assigned on her return to the Samaritans in 1973. She first joined in February 1966, as soon as she left school and was old … View more
Rosemary’s voice has provided comfort to anxious, lonely and depressed callers on the Samaritans helpline for five decades.

She is known as Rosemary 23, the call number assigned on her return to the Samaritans in 1973. She first joined in February 1966, as soon as she left school and was old enough to train as a volunteer, and was originally known as Rosemary 111 – the first in the eleventh training group of 1966.

Wellington Samaritans can be reached at 0800 726 666, available 24/7.

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1514 days ago

Labour will get rid of decile school system

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

If Labour is re-elected, the school decile system will be gone and a new "Equity Index" put in place. It's aim is to increase resources for the most disadvantaged students in New Zealand. What do you think? Has Chris Hipkins got it right? Will our kids be better off, or is it just a… View moreIf Labour is re-elected, the school decile system will be gone and a new "Equity Index" put in place. It's aim is to increase resources for the most disadvantaged students in New Zealand. What do you think? Has Chris Hipkins got it right? Will our kids be better off, or is it just a new name on an old system?

If you do not want your comments used in a story please put NFP (Not For Publication).

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1512 days ago

Leave your car at home and use your feet

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Next Tuesday is World Car Free Day and the council is encouraging Wellingtonians to leave their car at home.

Local schools will also be encouraging students to walk, cycle or scooter.
Workers will be encouraged take a bus or a train, or even walk, rather than their car. Have your ever thought … View more
Next Tuesday is World Car Free Day and the council is encouraging Wellingtonians to leave their car at home.

Local schools will also be encouraging students to walk, cycle or scooter.
Workers will be encouraged take a bus or a train, or even walk, rather than their car. Have your ever thought what your neighborhood would be like if there were fewer cars?

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1511 days ago

Orchestra Wellington's Symphonic Dances

Orchestra Wellington

Hi Neighbours – join us on Saturday 26 September as we celebrate the music of Russian master Sergei Rachmaninoff, performing his dazzling Symphonic Dances.

Our concert features guest soloist Michael Houstoun in a thrilling piano concerto, Three Psalms, from the repertoire of internationally … View more
Hi Neighbours – join us on Saturday 26 September as we celebrate the music of Russian master Sergei Rachmaninoff, performing his dazzling Symphonic Dances.

Our concert features guest soloist Michael Houstoun in a thrilling piano concerto, Three Psalms, from the repertoire of internationally acclaimed Kiwi composer John Psathas. Conducted as always by our Music Director Marc Taddei, who will also lead our players through Tchaikovsky’s unmistakable Serenade For Strings.

Tickets start from $40, and the concert will take place at 7:30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre.

Kirsten Mason
General Manager, Orchestra Wellington.
Find out more

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1512 days ago

Retirement village information webinar

The Team from

Are you or a loved one thinking of moving into a retirement village? The Office of the Retirement Commissioner is hosting a free, two-part webinar series on 23 and 24 September for anyone interested to help you understand the personal, legal, and financial implications. Selling the family home and… View moreAre you or a loved one thinking of moving into a retirement village? The Office of the Retirement Commissioner is hosting a free, two-part webinar series on 23 and 24 September for anyone interested to help you understand the personal, legal, and financial implications. Selling the family home and moving into a village is a big decision, so register today and let our experts guide you through what you and your family need to know so you can be sure you make the right choice.

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1512 days ago

Finally, some progress on Snapper Cards

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Train tickets could be a thing of the past. Greater Wellington is today looking at a report supporting looking at the introduction of Snapper. on local trains.

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1511 days ago

Progress being made on new Wainuiomata shopping centre

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It has taken decades but progress in finally being made on the new shopping centre that will replace the Wainuiomata Mall.

Earlier this week, Mayor Campbell Barry laid a mauri stone, a taonga that has the wairua (spirit or soul) of the local people and preserves the welfare of those who stand … View more
It has taken decades but progress in finally being made on the new shopping centre that will replace the Wainuiomata Mall.

Earlier this week, Mayor Campbell Barry laid a mauri stone, a taonga that has the wairua (spirit or soul) of the local people and preserves the welfare of those who stand above it.

"The site blessing and laying of the mauri stone is a significant milestone in the redevelopment of the Wainuiomata Mall. The redevelopment in this area has been on the cards for decades, and I know how much it means to local people to see things pick up speed."

The Wainuiomata Shopping Centre will feature a brand new Countdown, a new office building for the Ministry of Social Development, and a new road connection between The Strand and Queen Street.

Countdown is expected to be open next year. The new store will have an in-store Pharmacy, an expansive fresh produce department, an instore bakery and a dedicated health food section.

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1511 days ago

Do you know what to plant in the garden right now?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week’s issue we say grow plenty of swan plants for hungry caterpillars. It’s time to sow and plant beetroot, spring clean your houseplants, let brassicas bloom for the bees, trim scraggly mint and record when fruit trees blossom.

Meet more of our favourite 2020 Houseplant Hero entrants… View more
In this week’s issue we say grow plenty of swan plants for hungry caterpillars. It’s time to sow and plant beetroot, spring clean your houseplants, let brassicas bloom for the bees, trim scraggly mint and record when fruit trees blossom.

Meet more of our favourite 2020 Houseplant Hero entrants and upcycle an old pallet into a multipurpose tray. Plus go in the draw for Yates wildflower seeds and Manuka Doctor honey from Palmers.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:

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1513 days ago

Help wanted

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

I am looking for feedback on what you would like to see on Neighbourly.
At the moment the only regular feature is Way Back Wednesday, featuring historical pictures of Wellington.
One option is a regular feature on a well known sportsperson or your favourite restaurant. Or perhaps a post featuring … View more
I am looking for feedback on what you would like to see on Neighbourly.
At the moment the only regular feature is Way Back Wednesday, featuring historical pictures of Wellington.
One option is a regular feature on a well known sportsperson or your favourite restaurant. Or perhaps a post featuring your favourite bird (mine is the mighty kārearea).
Tell me what you would like to see.

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