Tirohanga, Lower Hutt

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1406 days ago

Call for action over deadly Upper Hutt road

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It’s a disgrace that nearly 50 people have died on a 20-kilometre stretch of State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, the city’s mayor says.
Wayne Guppy wants something done about the road, on which 48 people have died since 1987.
Do you use the road and is it as dangerous as the mayor claims?
Remutaka … View more
It’s a disgrace that nearly 50 people have died on a 20-kilometre stretch of State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt, the city’s mayor says.
Wayne Guppy wants something done about the road, on which 48 people have died since 1987.
Do you use the road and is it as dangerous as the mayor claims?
Remutaka MP Chris Hipkins​ said he’d long had concerns over the road and believes road should be two lanes in either direction.

If you do NOT want your comments used by Stuff, please put NFP.

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1407 days ago

Wellington has the fastest growing property values in NZ

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellington’s property values recorded the fastest growth out of the main centres in 2020, with prices rising as the capital’s housing stock plumbs the lowest level in decades.
Over the coming year, the average property price for Wellington would cross the $1 million mark, said Nicki … View more
Wellington’s property values recorded the fastest growth out of the main centres in 2020, with prices rising as the capital’s housing stock plumbs the lowest level in decades.
Over the coming year, the average property price for Wellington would cross the $1 million mark, said Nicki Cruickshank, a real estate agent with Tommy’s Wellington. “You can't really get a three-bedroom house in Wellington under $1m now, anyway.”
Porirua City experienced a 20.8 per cent annual growth in residential property values, Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt cities both experienced 17.2 per cent growth, and Kāpiti Coast 18.3 per cent.

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1407 days ago

2 baby birds

Rachael from Naenae

Hi, I’ve been looking after 2 baby I think blackbirds for a few days after my cat bought them in. The nest is too high to put them back.
However we are going away tomorrow and we don’t have anyone to look after them. They are not feeding by themselves yet but I don’t think they are far away … View more
Hi, I’ve been looking after 2 baby I think blackbirds for a few days after my cat bought them in. The nest is too high to put them back.
However we are going away tomorrow and we don’t have anyone to look after them. They are not feeding by themselves yet but I don’t think they are far away from this.

If anyone is keen to take them and look after them until they can leave the nest that would be appreciated.

They are currently housed in a shoe box and I’ve got bird feed for them.

Free

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1408 days ago

Is Whittaker's your dream job?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It’s every kid’s dream to work at a chocolate factory. Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
View more
It’s every kid’s dream to work at a chocolate factory. Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
It’s called the micro-lab, and within its walls there are cupboards of flavours and scents, everything from cake batter to beetroot, a mini bean roaster, and a mixing machine called a melange.
In this, she can make 12 kilogram batches to test flavours, or 45kg batches in the one in the room next door; small quantities compared to the tonnes pumped out by the main factory on a daily basis.

1410 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Smokey

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Smokey is a rehomed cat who is loving his new life with his happy new owner.
“He is really relaxed now, loves purring and is extremely happy, although is still on guard with unfamiliar noises. Smokey started off being quite afraid of most things, but now is a well-behaved cat who is newly … View more
Smokey is a rehomed cat who is loving his new life with his happy new owner.
“He is really relaxed now, loves purring and is extremely happy, although is still on guard with unfamiliar noises. Smokey started off being quite afraid of most things, but now is a well-behaved cat who is newly learning to use his scratching post, rather than a carpet! Smokey loves routine and "helps" people by sitting in their laps when they are trying to work or type. He has become an integral part of a piano teaching studio and loves both music and all the students.”

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1408 days ago

40 inch LCD TV

Suresh from Waterloo

Samsung LCD TV 40". This TV works well but it has one defect is when turned on the display will be blurred and after few minutes it will be normal sharp display.

Negotiable

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1408 days ago

Is it safe to swim?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Summer is a great time to enjoy our coast and waterways, but it pays to check first to see if the water is safe to swim in.

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1408 days ago

The rare but impressive yellow pōhutukawa

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Thank-you to everybody who came forward with tips on yellow pōhutukawa. There are certainly more in the region than many people realise.

1408 days ago

Rubbish and recycling

Breanna Mudge from Hutt City Council

Don’t forget to check your November rates bill or speak with your landlord to choose your bins size and complete your selection before 31 January, 2021.

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1408 days ago

Countdown for bin choice

Hutt City Council

Remember to check your latest rates bill, choose your bins and complete your selection before 31 January so you’re ready for the rubbish and recycling upgrade in July.

If you’ve lost your rates letter or the included bin form, you can visit us on Laings Rd or at your local library/community … View more
Remember to check your latest rates bill, choose your bins and complete your selection before 31 January so you’re ready for the rubbish and recycling upgrade in July.

If you’ve lost your rates letter or the included bin form, you can visit us on Laings Rd or at your local library/community hub, or call 04 570 6666.

We’re on the move to a sustainable future, with 524,00 plastic rubbish bags set to be saved from landfill each year under the upgrade.
Find out more

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1409 days ago

HVHS PE Uniform

Louise from Woburn

Hi all, I still have the HVHS PE uniform if anyone wants it. Girls, ladies 14-16 (although my size 10-12 girl wore it no problem). Pants have drawstring for easy fit. Good condition.

Free

1409 days ago

Empty tins and glass water bottle

Louise from Woburn

These seemed a bit too nice to chuck in the bin. Can anyone use them? Might be good for teabags/sugar/biscuits, seem quite airtight.

Free

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1409 days ago

Placecard holders - wedding or party

Louise from Woburn

Homemade wooden rustic placecard holders. Used these for my daughter's wedding back in Jan before the 'Rona. There are about 70, but you could take as few or as many as you like.

Free

1409 days ago

Men's trousers - 32-34 Reg to shortish length

Louise from Woburn

Seven pairs of men's trousers. Three are brand new! Two have a very small hole (less than 3mm) - the hazard of working with chemicals while not wearing a lab coat, but barely noticeable. All good quality ex-Kirks or David Jones. Unfortunately, my hubby's girth has increased before he got … View moreSeven pairs of men's trousers. Three are brand new! Two have a very small hole (less than 3mm) - the hazard of working with chemicals while not wearing a lab coat, but barely noticeable. All good quality ex-Kirks or David Jones. Unfortunately, my hubby's girth has increased before he got a chance to wear the new pairs. Would need someone not too tall with quite a svelte figure - 5ft9 and slim waist. Might suit a young man for work. DM me if interested. Must pick up in Woburn.

Free

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1409 days ago

Protecting your home from fires

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (The Curtain Store)

1. Check your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning in case of a fire inside your home. Traditional alarms beep when they detect smoke or fire, while smart detectors also send an alert to your phone. There should be a smoke detector in every room in your house except bathrooms, for … View more
1. Check your smoke alarms
Smoke alarms provide an early warning in case of a fire inside your home. Traditional alarms beep when they detect smoke or fire, while smart detectors also send an alert to your phone. There should be a smoke detector in every room in your house except bathrooms, for maximum protection. You also need one in the hallway between the living area and bedrooms.
Crucially, you are highly advised to test your smoke alarms at least once a year to ensure they still work. You are four times more likely to die in a house fire without a functioning smoke alarm!

2. Get a fire extinguisher
Having a fire extinguisher handy can make the difference between a small kitchen mishap that was successfully contained, and the house literally burning down. There are different types of fire extinguisher, classified according to the kind of fire they’re designed to tackle. Make sure you are aware of what the differences are and how to use each one in an emergency situation. A typical home extinguisher should have an ABC rating:
• Class A – combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, household rubbish, most plastics
• Class B – flammable liquids, solvents, oil, petrol, paints and lacquers
• Class C – gases including methane, propane, hydrogen, acetylene and natural gas
• Class D – combustible metals including magnesium and aluminium swarf
• Class E – Electrical fires
• Class F – chip pan fires, as an alternative to a fire blanket

3. Create a fire stopping landscape
A fire originating from outside, such as a wildfire, is best thwarted by preventing it from reaching your house in the first place. You can use landscape gardening design to slow down or stop the spread of fire towards your home, by adhering to these tips:
• Use hard landscaping such as concrete, stone or gravel around the house
• Clear any dry vegetation from around the home, particularly in the summer
• Use fire resistant plants such as lavender and honeysuckle for soft landscaping, and spread them out, to slow down fire and stop it from spreading
• Keep outdoor plants well watered during the summer months. Lush green planting is less likely to burn.

4. Use fire retardant materials
Let’s start with building materials; some are more vulnerable to fire than others. Using fire retardant alternatives and fireproofing your interiors are good first lines of defence against a potentially serious tragedy. Make the changes when you are refurbishing or redecorating your home. The Building.govt.nz website has a comprehensive list of everything you can do to help prevention of fire occurring. Designing for fire can also be designing for sustainability which is without a doubt a win-win!

When it comes to materials, concrete panels, stucco or brick for exterior walls, steel framing for windows and concrete or metal for roofing are all good choices. Fire retardant paint is also a good idea. For decking, concrete, tiles, stone or brick are better than wood.

Inside your home, choose fire resistant curtains and upholstery fabrics. Additional flameproofing can also be administered to your existing home fabrics and upholstered furniture in situ. Curtain Clean can service your existing upholstery anywhere in the country. Call us on 0800 579 0501 for prices and to find out more.

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