74 days ago

FEBRUARY'S WEATHER

Murray from Paraparaumu

February in Kāpiti, along with the rest of western central New Zealand, saw a return to the cool, cloudy and windy conditions of December, more like what we might expect in autumn. Except for January it wasn’t the greatest summer, but it was dry.

Our daily average maximum temperature of 22.6C was almost a degree cooler than average, and a degree cooler than February 2023. But for much of the month it was actually the coolest February recorded in over a decade. Despite lower temperatures we still reached 20C every day; the warmest being Wednesday 22 with 27.7C.

As usual for time of year, and especially this El Nino summer, east coast Blenheim and Masterton had the highest average maximums in central New Zealand, however, Kāpiti’s overall mean temperature of 18.4C was the highest in central New Zealand,

February had the equivalent of 17 sunny days, two fewer than average, with the longest spell of sunshine occurring in the third week, despite rain being forecast.

Total rainfall of 33mm recorded at the airport was half the longtime average, again reflecting the low precipitation of recent months. Yesterday’s rain (March 4) amounting to just under 30mm will go some way in relieving recent months’ deficits.

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Have you ever been bullied?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.

This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.

Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Have you ever been bullied?
  • 79.9% Yes
    79.9% Complete
  • 19.7% No
    19.7% Complete
  • 0.4% Other - I'll share below
    0.4% Complete
1583 votes
21 hours ago

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Vincent from Waikanae

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3 days ago

Government to Reintroduce Charter Schools

Murray from Paraparaumu

The reintroduction of charter schools in New Zealand seems little more than a sop to National’s right wing ideologues and will achieve little except the diversion of funds from the already financially stretched state schools.

There appears to be little, if any evidence that they especially benefit underperforming children, who indeed appear better off in a state system, provided adequate support is provided. Charter schools also foster conservatism, elitism, and in some instances religious fundamentalism, the cause of so much strife in the world.

It could be argued that of all children who might benefit from a broad state education and mixing with their community peers, it’s those from these conservative, elitist backgrounds.