Colonial Knob, Porirua

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

1519 days ago

It is time to count Kererū

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It’s time for the Great Kererū Count 2020. Kererū Discovery is calling on all Kiwis to get out and count kererū.

Kererū only live in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whether you love their classic white singlets, their whooping wingbeats, or their awesome air shows, kererū are as Kiwi as kiwi.

This … View more
It’s time for the Great Kererū Count 2020. Kererū Discovery is calling on all Kiwis to get out and count kererū.

Kererū only live in Aotearoa New Zealand. Whether you love their classic white singlets, their whooping wingbeats, or their awesome air shows, kererū are as Kiwi as kiwi.

This year the annual Great Kererū Count 2020 runs from 18-27 September.

As well as being real characters of the bush, kererū are also known as the gardeners of the sky –spreading precious seeds of forest giants such as tawa, miro and hinau. Tony Stoddard of Kererū Discovery, who coordinates the count, says kererū can pop anywhere

“At this time of the year kererū will be flocking to trees like willow and tree lucerne. These trees are kererū-magnets as the birds come out of their winter-feeding grounds and prepare for the breeding season by feeding on the nitrogen-rich leaves.”

“In urban areas, kōwhai are another important food source for kererū, and you will often see or hear angry tui defending their trees from hungry kererū.”

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1513 days ago
1515 days ago

Rosemary a Good Sort at 72

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Rosemary’s voice has provided comfort to anxious, lonely and depressed callers on the Samaritans helpline for five decades.

She is known as Rosemary 23, the call number assigned on her return to the Samaritans in 1973. She first joined in February 1966, as soon as she left school and was old … View more
Rosemary’s voice has provided comfort to anxious, lonely and depressed callers on the Samaritans helpline for five decades.

She is known as Rosemary 23, the call number assigned on her return to the Samaritans in 1973. She first joined in February 1966, as soon as she left school and was old enough to train as a volunteer, and was originally known as Rosemary 111 – the first in the eleventh training group of 1966.

Wellington Samaritans can be reached at 0800 726 666, available 24/7.

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1518 days ago

Labour will get rid of decile school system

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

If Labour is re-elected, the school decile system will be gone and a new "Equity Index" put in place. It's aim is to increase resources for the most disadvantaged students in New Zealand. What do you think? Has Chris Hipkins got it right? Will our kids be better off, or is it just a… View moreIf Labour is re-elected, the school decile system will be gone and a new "Equity Index" put in place. It's aim is to increase resources for the most disadvantaged students in New Zealand. What do you think? Has Chris Hipkins got it right? Will our kids be better off, or is it just a new name on an old system?

If you do not want your comments used in a story please put NFP (Not For Publication).

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1516 days ago

Leave your car at home and use your feet

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Next Tuesday is World Car Free Day and the council is encouraging Wellingtonians to leave their car at home.

Local schools will also be encouraging students to walk, cycle or scooter.
Workers will be encouraged take a bus or a train, or even walk, rather than their car. Have your ever thought … View more
Next Tuesday is World Car Free Day and the council is encouraging Wellingtonians to leave their car at home.

Local schools will also be encouraging students to walk, cycle or scooter.
Workers will be encouraged take a bus or a train, or even walk, rather than their car. Have your ever thought what your neighborhood would be like if there were fewer cars?

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1515 days ago

Orchestra Wellington's Symphonic Dances

Orchestra Wellington

Hi Neighbours – join us on Saturday 26 September as we celebrate the music of Russian master Sergei Rachmaninoff, performing his dazzling Symphonic Dances.

Our concert features guest soloist Michael Houstoun in a thrilling piano concerto, Three Psalms, from the repertoire of internationally … View more
Hi Neighbours – join us on Saturday 26 September as we celebrate the music of Russian master Sergei Rachmaninoff, performing his dazzling Symphonic Dances.

Our concert features guest soloist Michael Houstoun in a thrilling piano concerto, Three Psalms, from the repertoire of internationally acclaimed Kiwi composer John Psathas. Conducted as always by our Music Director Marc Taddei, who will also lead our players through Tchaikovsky’s unmistakable Serenade For Strings.

Tickets start from $40, and the concert will take place at 7:30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre.

Kirsten Mason
General Manager, Orchestra Wellington.
Find out more

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1515 days ago

Whitby Collegiate OPEN DAY this Sunday, 11am - 1pm

Whitby Collegiate

These are the years that set students up for life and this is the school that can do that.

We’re the first co-educational, independent school in the Wellington region for Years 7-13, giving us a rare ability to create a place where all students are happy, generous achievers.

We’d be … View more
These are the years that set students up for life and this is the school that can do that.

We’re the first co-educational, independent school in the Wellington region for Years 7-13, giving us a rare ability to create a place where all students are happy, generous achievers.

We’d be delighted to show you our school and tell you more in person.

To register for our next open day visit our website or give us a call.
Register online

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1516 days ago

Retirement village information webinar

The Team from

Are you or a loved one thinking of moving into a retirement village? The Office of the Retirement Commissioner is hosting a free, two-part webinar series on 23 and 24 September for anyone interested to help you understand the personal, legal, and financial implications. Selling the family home and… View moreAre you or a loved one thinking of moving into a retirement village? The Office of the Retirement Commissioner is hosting a free, two-part webinar series on 23 and 24 September for anyone interested to help you understand the personal, legal, and financial implications. Selling the family home and moving into a village is a big decision, so register today and let our experts guide you through what you and your family need to know so you can be sure you make the right choice.

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1516 days ago

Finally, some progress on Snapper Cards

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Train tickets could be a thing of the past. Greater Wellington is today looking at a report supporting looking at the introduction of Snapper. on local trains.

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1515 days ago

Do you know what to plant in the garden right now?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

In this week’s issue we say grow plenty of swan plants for hungry caterpillars. It’s time to sow and plant beetroot, spring clean your houseplants, let brassicas bloom for the bees, trim scraggly mint and record when fruit trees blossom.

Meet more of our favourite 2020 Houseplant Hero entrants… View more
In this week’s issue we say grow plenty of swan plants for hungry caterpillars. It’s time to sow and plant beetroot, spring clean your houseplants, let brassicas bloom for the bees, trim scraggly mint and record when fruit trees blossom.

Meet more of our favourite 2020 Houseplant Hero entrants and upcycle an old pallet into a multipurpose tray. Plus go in the draw for Yates wildflower seeds and Manuka Doctor honey from Palmers.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here:

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1515 days ago

Mary Potter Hospice needs your help

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Today and tomorrow is the annual street appeal for the Mary Potter Hospice. With the bad weather and restrictions caused by Covid-19, there are likely to be fewer collectors this year.
If you want to donate online, you can do so on their donation line or donations@marypotter.org.nz

Donation Line … View more
Today and tomorrow is the annual street appeal for the Mary Potter Hospice. With the bad weather and restrictions caused by Covid-19, there are likely to be fewer collectors this year.
If you want to donate online, you can do so on their donation line or donations@marypotter.org.nz

Donation Line 0800 MARYPOTTER (627 976)

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1515 days ago

Free Garden health check!

Ian Hamilton from Natures choice gardening services - Aotea

We all go to google when we are sick , so why not call a Garden doctor? To find out how to fix these problem areas, it could be a tree should come out or some mulch put down to stop the weeds? Maybe just some weeding is all that’s needed . Call me today for a free conciliation
0272430951

1517 days ago

Help wanted

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

I am looking for feedback on what you would like to see on Neighbourly.
At the moment the only regular feature is Way Back Wednesday, featuring historical pictures of Wellington.
One option is a regular feature on a well known sportsperson or your favourite restaurant. Or perhaps a post featuring … View more
I am looking for feedback on what you would like to see on Neighbourly.
At the moment the only regular feature is Way Back Wednesday, featuring historical pictures of Wellington.
One option is a regular feature on a well known sportsperson or your favourite restaurant. Or perhaps a post featuring your favourite bird (mine is the mighty kārearea).
Tell me what you would like to see.

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1517 days ago

Kārearea enjoys the taste of tūturuatu on Mana Island

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A hungry kārearea played a part in a failed attempt to establish a colony of critically endangered shore birds on Mana Island.

In February the Department of Conservation translocated 29 juvenile tūturuatu, or shore plovers, to Mana, off Porirua, however in July it was reported all 29 birds had … View more
A hungry kārearea played a part in a failed attempt to establish a colony of critically endangered shore birds on Mana Island.

In February the Department of Conservation translocated 29 juvenile tūturuatu, or shore plovers, to Mana, off Porirua, however in July it was reported all 29 birds had vanished. Some were discovered on the mainland, recaptured and placed back on the island with more captive-bred plovers.

Last month it was discovered some had ended up as lunch for a resident kārearea or New Zealand falcon. Others would have been susceptible to being gobbled up by cats, rats and stoats on the mainland.

1517 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

An easy one this week. Where is it and what are your memories?

Today's photograph comes courtesy of Graham Stewart and the Woolf Collection

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