Maungaraki, Lower Hutt

2141 days ago

When poppies get the blues

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

We love poppies, and this Tibetan blue (Meconopsis betonicifolia) is especially eye-catching. They are available from a number of nurseries, including Blue Mountain in Tapanui.

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2141 days ago

Win flights to Fiji!

Sport Wellington

Registrations are open for Brendan Foot Supersite Round the Bays 2019!

Join over 14,000 participants in Wellington’s largest fun run and walk on Sunday 17 February 2019.

Choose from one of the family-friendly 6.5km options, Bluebridge 10km or take on the Half Marathon – there’s … View more
Registrations are open for Brendan Foot Supersite Round the Bays 2019!

Join over 14,000 participants in Wellington’s largest fun run and walk on Sunday 17 February 2019.

Choose from one of the family-friendly 6.5km options, Bluebridge 10km or take on the Half Marathon – there’s something for everyone!

Don’t miss out on the very special Earlybird offer, register before midnight 30 November and go in the draw to win 2x return flights to Fiji with Fiji Airways!*

Enter online today at www.brendanfootsupersiteroundthebays.co.nz

*Terms and conditions apply, see website for details.
Find out more!

2144 days ago

Poll: Will you be affected by the closure of Kiwibanks?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Fourteen Kiwibank branches could close before Christmas, with more set to shut in the New Year. Kiwibank branches in Petone, Stoke and Johnsonville - all in the Wellington region - have been earmarked for closure, the state-owned bank has said.

Kiwibank is opening new branches in Thames, … View more
Fourteen Kiwibank branches could close before Christmas, with more set to shut in the New Year. Kiwibank branches in Petone, Stoke and Johnsonville - all in the Wellington region - have been earmarked for closure, the state-owned bank has said.

Kiwibank is opening new branches in Thames, Whitiangi, Waihi, Matamata, Cambridge and Lower Hutt. Read more here

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Will you be affected by the closure of Kiwibanks?
  • 30.4% Yes - it will affect me
    30.4% Complete
  • 6.1% Yes - I will change banks
    6.1% Complete
  • 28.8% No - it won't affect me
    28.8% Complete
  • 17.8% Don't mind - I bank online
    17.8% Complete
  • 16.9% Not applicable to me
    16.9% Complete
427 votes
2142 days ago

Rolls Panel PA Mixer

Grant from Hutt Central

Model: RM5c

Will accept up to three RCA stereo sources. Has insert/FX jack. 3 phantom powered microphone jacks.
Independent and master volume controls with bass and treble control. Working ok last time used and powers up ok.

Would be good for a simple band setup or school PA.

Must pick up.

View more
Model: RM5c

Will accept up to three RCA stereo sources. Has insert/FX jack. 3 phantom powered microphone jacks.
Independent and master volume controls with bass and treble control. Working ok last time used and powers up ok.

Would be good for a simple band setup or school PA.

Must pick up.

Still available!

Negotiable

2142 days ago

Arecus Professional Weather Station

Grant from Hutt Central

Model WS3083

Appears operational but not sure of all sensors.
Selling as-is. J-Mount pole is not included.

Must pick up.

Price: $50

2142 days ago

Vote now! Resene colour your community

Resene

Resene has six incredible finalists up for People's Choice Award as part of 2018's Colour your Community competition - and they need your vote!

Simply head to the poll and choose who you think deserves a helping hand and some Resene products. Voting closes Sunday 2 December so make … View more
Resene has six incredible finalists up for People's Choice Award as part of 2018's Colour your Community competition - and they need your vote!

Simply head to the poll and choose who you think deserves a helping hand and some Resene products. Voting closes Sunday 2 December so make sure you get your vite in before then! By doing so, you can help make a real difference to an organisation doing great work in a Kiwi community.
Vote now!

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2146 days ago

Fair cop?

Reporter The Hutt News

Councillor Chris Milne recently complained about his wife being ticketed in a carpark for not wearing a seatbelt.
Do you think the police were justified in doing so?
*If you don't want your comments used in an article, just add NFP at the end of your post.

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2143 days ago

It’s Time to Stop the Stigma Around Couples Therapy

Ann from Relationship Wellbeing Specialist

As a couples therapist, “We came in before there was a real problem” is music to my ears.

This very wise couple doesn’t wait until a crisis hits. No one is flirting with a coworker. Vicious, repetitive arguments aren’t heard late at night. Or worse, silence hasn’t crept into their … View more
As a couples therapist, “We came in before there was a real problem” is music to my ears.

This very wise couple doesn’t wait until a crisis hits. No one is flirting with a coworker. Vicious, repetitive arguments aren’t heard late at night. Or worse, silence hasn’t crept into their marriage.
If only this couple were the norm.

Many couples don’t do maintenance on their relationship. Instead, they’re inundated with normal distractions – work stress, piles of laundry, figuring out how to make the car run for one more year, helping the kids with math homework.

The list goes on and on. The erosion of their relationship occurs slowly and steadily over time.

Problematic patterns may begin to entrench in the relationship, as when heavy rains run down a hill, and create deep furrows in the soil. When it rains again, the water will travel exactly where those gashes have worn themselves into the dirt.

Behavior and communication between two people work in the same way. When there’s a blowout argument, both people can find themselves saying and doing exactly what they said and did before – not even recognizing the destructive pattern.

“I don’t know why I can’t stop myself, but I say the same hurtful things I’ve said before. And then some.”
“I know if I walk away, she’ll get mad, but I do it anyway. I don’t know what else to do.”

This is a problem. When trust is damaged, when you’re not sure you even like your partner anymore, when words have been spoken that are difficult to forget, it can feel like it’s too late. You can give yourself permission, out of hurt or anger, to turn away emotionally. Detachment begins, and you imagine a fresh start, a new relationship, before you’ve even attempted to fix what’s wrong with the one you’re in.

Prevention over intervention
But how about the couple that comes in before those patterns begin their ominous downward spiral? What are they doing that’s different?
First, they are likely two people who take their fair share of the responsibility for the patterns they’ve created.
Second, they’re doing maintenance. They realize they just might be able to stop the rain before it begins. These couples are smart because according to the research, prevention is 3x more effective than intervention.

Much of the time, couples aren’t this proactive. Dr. Gottman’s research has shown that the average couple waits six years before seeking help with their marital problems. What are possible misconceptions about therapy that are preventing them from acting sooner?

Misconception #1: “Some stranger is going to tell me what to do.”
Therapy is not like school. An all-knowing therapist isn’t going to tell you what to do. The assumption that the therapist wants this kind of authority can set up understandable defensiveness and even a rebellious mindset before therapy has begun.

A good therapist has objectivity and the experience of being capable of making positive desired changes in your relationship. They act as a consultant would, seeing the problems you’re describing in the context of the hundreds of stories they’ve heard. They may connect present-day issues with your past, or notice behavior or communication patterns that are harder for you to notice.

It’s the same as a coach watching your golf swing, or a chef tasting food you’ve prepared. They offer insight into your behavior and suggest actionable changes.

Therapists consult. They don’t rule.
Ultimately, you decide if you want to take their advice.

Misconception #2: “Therapy costs too much, takes too much time, and is hard to find.”

These are common excuses. The truth is many therapists will work with you on the financial aspect of receiving support to make your marriage stronger and happier. While their time has a tangible cost, so does divorce.

To help you, it’s important to realize that there are a variety of ways therapist can work with a couple. There are brief therapy counselors who do shorter term work. There are also proactive therapists who take on clients because those couples are willing to work hard, and make positive changes in their relationship. You may have to look for these kinds of therapist, but they’re out there.

Start by searching the Gottman Referral Network.
Citing concerns about money, time, or availability can be a veil for a struggle with vulnerability.

My father-in-law used to joke, “People pay to talk to you?”
In many ways, his teasing revealed an important point.
Therapy is not all about the words being exchanged. It’s about creating a dynamic that is focused on you and what you want to change in your relationship. For couples, the role of the therapist is to provide compassion and support for both partners.

Couples therapy can feel vulnerable, because it is all about you. A good therapist earns your trust and provides safety for that very vulnerability. If you allow it.

Misconception #3: “I don’t want someone to know our business.”
There’s no getting around this one. At the root of this statement may lie a struggle with shame. If you’re $50,000 in debt, if you’ve got an addiction, if you were abused as a child, those are all things that are important for a therapist to know. Or the therapist can’t help.
A therapist is a professional, similar to an attorney, whose license depends on their practice of confidentiality. Not to mention, many therapist do what they do because they have had similar struggles and hardships and they know what it’s like to be alone in the messiness of life.

Problems, mistakes, and disappointments are difficult to reveal for everyone. Recognizing trauma for what it is, respecting, and letting go of shame is a huge part of therapeutic work.
It takes courage to reveal.

It takes trust to be vulnerable.
It takes humility to consider another perspective.

As a society, it’s time we changed our attitude about couples therapy.

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2143 days ago

Reminder - Nationwide Test of Emergency Mobile Alert

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

Emergency Mobile Alert should work in areas with cell reception. About 97% of populated areas get cell reception, and work is being done by the mobile service operators to improve mobile coverage all the time.

The Nationwide Test of Emergency Mobile Alert is on 25 November between 6 and 7pm.

View more
Emergency Mobile Alert should work in areas with cell reception. About 97% of populated areas get cell reception, and work is being done by the mobile service operators to improve mobile coverage all the time.

The Nationwide Test of Emergency Mobile Alert is on 25 November between 6 and 7pm.

www.civildefence.govt.nz...

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2143 days ago

Marlon Williams in Martinborough

Eccles Entertainment

In celebration of his three wins at this year’s VNZMA’s for Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Video, Marlon Williams has just added five new shows in addition to his performance with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at Villa Maria Winery.

Where: Luna Estate
When: Saturday … View more
In celebration of his three wins at this year’s VNZMA’s for Album of the Year, Best Solo Artist and Best Video, Marlon Williams has just added five new shows in addition to his performance with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at Villa Maria Winery.

Where: Luna Estate
When: Saturday 23rd February 2018

Ticketmaster members pre-sale runs from 12.00pm NZ on Thursday 22nd November for 24 hours from www.ticketmaster.co.nz

General public tickets on sale 12.00pm NZ Friday 23rd November from www.ticketmaster.co.nz
Find out more!

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2143 days ago

Friday Homes North Island Superstock Championships

Wellington Speedway

It is the big one at the Max Motors Wellington Family Speedway! Friday night see the action unfold with full fields of Superstocks battling it out to make the final 26 cars. With the best of the best found, Saturday will be set to be night of big hits and some the best and fastest racing in the … View moreIt is the big one at the Max Motors Wellington Family Speedway! Friday night see the action unfold with full fields of Superstocks battling it out to make the final 26 cars. With the best of the best found, Saturday will be set to be night of big hits and some the best and fastest racing in the country.

When: Saturday 1st December 2018
Where: 1039a State Highway 2, Upper Hutt

Tickets available at the gate on the night or online events.ticketbooth.co.nz

Student/Senior discounts and family concessions are available again this year.
Adult: $20.00
Child: 10-16 y/o: $10.00
Child Under 10: FREE
Students & Seniors (With ID or Gold Card): $15.00
Family (2 adults & up to 4 children): $50.00
Get your tickets here!

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2144 days ago

Let your older neighbours know... 💙💛

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Friendly reminder that NZ Civil Defence will be running their second test of the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) System between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday, November 25th.

Please spread the word so more people are aware, especially among older friends and family who may be less tech-savvy, that this is … View more
Friendly reminder that NZ Civil Defence will be running their second test of the Emergency Mobile Alert (EMA) System between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday, November 25th.

Please spread the word so more people are aware, especially among older friends and family who may be less tech-savvy, that this is simply a test and to not be alarmed when they receive the alert.

To learn more about EMA's and what to expect on the day, visit the link below.

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