Royal spoonbills/kōtuku ngutupapa
I wasn't going to take any more spoonbill photos for awhile - but this guy walked really close to me. You can see he's looking sideways to do a quick threat assessment, but doesn't stop feeding. Probably decided he could do me over if he had to. It is amazing how many little fish they catch like this. I saw him gobbling several little morsels down, probably slightly bigger than whitebait. They scythe their beaks back and forth like old-time hay gatherers, snapping them shut on tasty things, then quickly tip their heads back to swallow their prey whole. Royal spoonbill/kōtuku ngutupapa (Platalea regia). Between tides/closer to low tide is probably the best time to see them at the Hutt Estuary.
Poll: Is the increase in disability parking fines fair?
In October, the fine for parking in a designated mobility car park without a permit has jumped from $150 to $750—a 400% increase!
The goal is to keep these spaces open for those who truly need them. Do you think this big increase in the fine is fair? Share your thoughts below.
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89.1% Yes, it's fair
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10.3% No, it's unreasonable
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0.7% Other - I'll share below
COME AND SEE HISTORY
THE CHRIST CHURCH VISITOR CENTRE OPEN DAY…COME AND SEE HISTORY
NZ history is to be taught in all NZ schools and kura, and this Visitor Centre is the place where some of that history can be displayed.
This new building provides for a place for visitors to gather and to learn more about the church, and the local history it represents, and also to accommodate volunteer guides who can then provide tours of the church and graveyard. It will also provide space for small functions like weddings, and hospitality for visitors. School student visits will be especially encouraged. .
There are some wonderful stories associated with this tiny church, one of the oldest in New Zealand. Te Rauparaha features in some, as does Honiana Te Puni, and Te Whiti O Rongomai, the Hero of Parihaka.
The settlers were a tough breed, and had to be to survive, but they were offered food, shelter and hospitality by the Tangata Whenua, including the whanau of Chief Manihera Matangi, whose father signed te Tiriti O Waitangi. He was a staunch Christian and true friend of the early settlers who, with a number of his descendants, is buried in the churchyard. His family still lives in the Hutt Valley
The Christ Church Taita has set up a trust, The Christ Church Taita Cottage Museum Trust, to provide a Visitor Centre for this heritage taonga, built in 1854 by the first organised group of European settlers to come to NZ, who landed on Pito-One Beach in January 1840
The full cost to establish the completed Visitor Centre is estimated to be $420,000.
So far $350,000 has been raised and spent and the building is up and is now partially complete.
COME AND SEE AND FIND OUT MORE ON SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3RD FROM NOON-4.30 PM
73 EASTERN HUTT ROAD TAITA LOWER HUTT…FOLLOW THE MOTORWAY SIGNS
Christmas period Plumbing.
Good morning fellow Neighbours, I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Saturday. As Christmas is fast approaching I thought I would send a friendly reminder that Findlays Plumbing Solutions will be closed from the 27th of December - 3rd of January but open for business all other days 24/7. With no additional call out fee over the break, besides Christmas Day and Sundays.
If you have a plumbing issue or want a free quote for anything big or small, feel free to get in touch.
📧contact@findlaysplumbing.co.nz
📞 0273788706
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