Metropolitan Wellington to ease sprinkler ban, watering restrictions remain
From today, 31 March, the ban on using garden sprinklers in Wellington, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt and Porirua is lifted.
The four cities have been under a sprinkler ban that was introduced in mid-February due to particularly dry conditions.
Thanks to the response from the community, and the change in season, the region’s storage lakes are now in good shape.
This means restrictions can now be eased to allow for the limited use of garden sprinklers and irrigation systems. This is a good position to be in, but it’s important that people keep being responsible with water usage.
Watering restrictions are still in place, these allow the use of a single sprinkler or irrigation system, between the hours of 6-8 am and 7-9pm only on alternate days according to your house number.
Sprinkler use is permitted at:
• odd-numbered houses on odd dates (1st, 3rd, 15th etc)
• even-numbered houses on even dates (2nd, 4th, 18th etc)
only between the hours of 6-8am and 7-9pm.
This restriction level will remain in place until further notice, or the end of Daylight Savings (5 April 2020) – except in Upper Hutt, where this restriction remains in place all year round.
Poll: If we want to reduce speeding, what do you think actually changes driver behaviour? 🛻🚨🚓
In the Post's article on speeding penalties, the question is asked whether speeding fines are truly about road safety, or are they just a way to boost revenue for the Crown?
What do you think? Should speeding motorists receive speeding fines or demerit points?
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30.8% The sting of a fine (Money talks!)
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69.2% The threat of demerit points (Nobody wants to lose their license!)
Poll: Are you still heading to your local for your caffeine fix, or has the $$ changed your habits? ☕
Wellington’s identity is built on its cafe culture, but with costs climbing, that culture is under pressure. We’ve seen the headlines about recent closures, and it’s a tough pill to swallow along with a $6+ coffee.
We all want our favourite spots to stay open, but we also have to balance our own budgets ⚖️
We want to know: How are you handling the "coffee math" in 2026? Are you still heading to your local for a chat and a caffeine fix, or has the cost of living changed your habits?
Keen to read more about "coffee math"? The Post has you covered.
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45.7% I avoid spending money on coffee
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44.6% I still indulge at my local cafe
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9.7% Irrelevant - coffee is not for me
Share your favourite main crop potato recipe and win a copy of our mag!
Love potatoes? We will give away free copies of the May 2026 issue to readers whose potato recipes are used in our magazine. To be in the running, make sure you email your family's favourite way to enjoy potatoes: mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, by March 1, 2026.
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