Support our Local Charity
Open letter to Porirua City Councillors
It is with disbelief I write this.
How can councilors who are elected by the people, to work for what is best for them and their city, deny what is one of our city’s most beneficial groups in recent years? I refer of course to the Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust led by Liz Sneyd and Craig Utting with their wonderful support group.
This charity has for many years offered free of charge to many of our, decile 1 and 2 schools, Tamariki and their Whanau the opportunity to learn a variety of musical instruments through After School Programmes, Holiday Programmes, evening practices and private lessons.
Virtuoso Strings have provided instruments to over 200 Tamariki and paid for any repairs to the instruments when required.
When the Tamariki become more proficient, they are offered the opportunity to sit Trinity College Music Exams paid for by Virtuoso Strings and with an almost perfect pass rate. These Tamariki also offer peer support to the younger learners. It is in this way that our Tamariki are learning Reliability, Commitment and Perseverance.
Over the past two years the Tamariki through Virtuoso Strings has achieved so much. Including but not limited to Concerts with world renowned Jonathon Lemalu and Black Grace (Neil Ieremia).
Through various fundraising activities the senior members have travelled throughout the North Island giving free concerts at various retirement villages and other venues. This teaches our Tamariki the value of working for what they want, giving to others and about New Zealand’s geography.
The most recent achievements for Virtuoso Strings was the award given to Liz Sneyd for the Inaugural NZ Music teacher of the year. And to the Virtuoso Strings Octet who won the Gold Award and Peoples Choice award at the recent Chamber Music Competition Finals.
Virtuoso Strings senior members also, at times with very short notice, provide music for businesses / conferences etc. in the Wellington area.
I am sure I have missed many things in the above outline, sufficient to say that Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust provides a lot in the way of the wider community involvement through the Tamariki and their Whanau.
How is it then they can be denied the funding previously provided by the council due to the parting of the ways from Ole’ Academy. Surely commonsense should prevail.
Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust is worth every cent the Council can provide them.
Come on Porirua City Council. Take a second look, change your mind and do the right thing!
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.6% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.9% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.5% ... It is complicated
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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