Keeping water flowing when an earthquake stops the taps
Today we hosted a special event at Truscott park in Johnsonville to open the first of 22 community water stations, which form the foundation of our above ground emergency water supply network.
The Minister of Civil Defence, Hon Kris Faafoi, mayors and representatives from the four councils, (Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Upper Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council) were in attendance to help open the first of the community water stations, and learn more about how they'll operate.
Wellington's drinking water supply network is vulnerable. Underground pipes and reservoirs could be badly damaged in a significant earthquake and as a result some suburbs could be without drinking water for more than 100 days.
Over the past 12 months we have been working with central and local government to develop an above ground emergency water network that will supply the more than 400,000 people across Wellington from day eight following a disaster.
It’s important to remember that following a major earthquake, the first thing people rely on is themselves and their families, so storing water is a must for every household.
You should have 20 litres of stored water for every person, every day, for at least seven days. That’s 560 litres for a four-person household. You may need to store more if you have unwell people, or small children in your home.
200 litre tanks (which are easy to install) can be purchased from your local council for $105.
For more information check out wellingtonwater.co.nz...
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.2% Yes
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13.5% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
scumbags
There are some really awful people around at the moment. This is what happened on Sunday.
We live in Hinemoa Street opposite the Waiwhetu Stream. At around 3.40 in the afternoon I was looking out my window and saw a car pull up and start to feed the geese and ducks out the window. Then The passenger an asian man jumped out and threw himself onto a goose. he picked it up and put it the boot of the car.
I immediately ran over and stood in front of his car to stop him moving I also called my husband to help. A lovely man was riding his bike and saw it and stopped to help me. The driver tried to drive into me but I didnt move. He tried telling us it was his pet. These are wild geese.
They had a cage in the boot and some wire all ready to catch the poor bird like they have done it before. My husband took the bird from the car and released it. I then moved out of the way and after lots of abuse from the driver they drove off threatening to come back and get more.
No one should be allowed to take these beautiful birds and certainly not like this. they are all starting to have wee babies at the moment the whole thing was so upsetting to me. Another neighbour further down the road also saw it all happen.
Please keep a look out for this car and if you see them by the stream go over and watch them lets all stop this happening.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.