Colonial Knob, Porirua

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1530 days ago
1531 days ago

How can we better celebrate the Pulse?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

In all the fuss over Covid-19, it has largely been forgotten that the Pulse recently won the ANZ Premiership Grand Final.
Having won the title two years running, they are Wellington's most successful sporting team.
What can we do to better recognise their success?

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1530 days ago

All new Jeep Gladiator Landing at Gazley

The Team from Gazley

This all new precision-crafted truck is packed with intuitive technology and authentic Jeep® cues to ensures you ride in style.

Gladiator Rubicon is the most capable Jeep® truck ever thanks to a combination of impressive equipment like front and rear Tru-Lok® locking differentials, branded … View more
This all new precision-crafted truck is packed with intuitive technology and authentic Jeep® cues to ensures you ride in style.

Gladiator Rubicon is the most capable Jeep® truck ever thanks to a combination of impressive equipment like front and rear Tru-Lok® locking differentials, branded FOX shocks and a forward-facing TrailCam Off-Road Cameras and more. With nothing else like it on the market you need to get into Gazley Jeep to witness this beast in the flesh.
Find out more

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1532 days ago

Has the nurses' strike had any impact on you?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

More than 3000 primary care nurses are on strike today. We are looking for feedback on the impact it has has had on the community.
If you have not been able to pick up your prescription or have had an appointment cancelled we would like to hear from you.

Contact Matt Tso on 027 563 9487 or by … View more
More than 3000 primary care nurses are on strike today. We are looking for feedback on the impact it has has had on the community.
If you have not been able to pick up your prescription or have had an appointment cancelled we would like to hear from you.

Contact Matt Tso on 027 563 9487 or by email matt.tso@stuff.co.nz

1533 days ago

Time to get Neighbourly

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Nicholas Boyack here, I am the Stuff Neighbourly reporter for Wellington, Lower and Upper Hutt, Kāpiti, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.

Neighbourly is your tool to access local news, and as a way to keep in touch with those around you. I'm here to bring you the news closest to you, in a role… View more
Nicholas Boyack here, I am the Stuff Neighbourly reporter for Wellington, Lower and Upper Hutt, Kāpiti, Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa.

Neighbourly is your tool to access local news, and as a way to keep in touch with those around you. I'm here to bring you the news closest to you, in a role which will work like a community newspaper reporter. I worked for the Hutt News for two decades and had spells with the Wairarapa News, Wellingtonian and Dominion Post.

If you have any stories or interesting things happening in your suburb or area, please get in touch! Tips, insults and bribes can be sent on Neighbourly or to nicholas.boyack@stuff.co.nz.

If you see items posted about your area, please get involved and reply with your comments and thoughts on the issues at hand. I'm keen for robust discussion, and a bit of banter never goes amiss. It is a big area to cover and I hope to hear from you all. Thanks in advance and I look forward to chatting with you all!

- Nicholas 027 6420086

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1533 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

How are all the history buffs doing? Where do you think we are this week and what are your memories?

This should be easy!

As with last week's Way Back Wednesday, today's photograph comes courtesy of Graham Stewart and the Woolf Collection.

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1531 days ago

Porirua dog park linked to sick dogs

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

The Porirua City Council is reporting that it is receiving reports of dogs getting sick and there is a possible link to the Pilmmerton Dog Park.

"We haven’t had any notification that the dog park is the likely source, but as a precaution we will be switching off the drinking fountains and … View more
The Porirua City Council is reporting that it is receiving reports of dogs getting sick and there is a possible link to the Pilmmerton Dog Park.

"We haven’t had any notification that the dog park is the likely source, but as a precaution we will be switching off the drinking fountains and dog shower by the end of today, and will continue to monitor the situation."

Have you heard any reports of dogs getting sick?

1533 days ago

Mayor's safety funding flip-flop

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

After promising to support increased funding for a Courtenay Place safety initiative, Wellington Mayor Andy Foster did a U-turn when costs went up by $15,000.

The funding was for Take 10, a group that helps drunk people stay out of trouble.

On Sunday, Foster told Stuff he supported providing … View more
After promising to support increased funding for a Courtenay Place safety initiative, Wellington Mayor Andy Foster did a U-turn when costs went up by $15,000.

The funding was for Take 10, a group that helps drunk people stay out of trouble.

On Sunday, Foster told Stuff he supported providing funding. On Wednesday, however, he voted against it.

He said the proposed cost had risen by $15,000 to $95,000 and he was no longer prepared to support it.

His no vote was not enough to stop the funding, which the majority of councillors supported.

Councillor Fleur Fitzsimons, who chaired the grants committee, voted in favour of the increased funding.

“The extension of Take 10 to Friday nights is one step towards reducing alcohol-related harm and violence on Courtenay Place,” she said.

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1532 days ago

Poll: Upcycling Award finalists *VOTES ARE OPEN!*

Resene

We need your help! The calibre of entries for this year's Resene Upcycling Awards has blown us away. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite below. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!

Find out more about each entry here. … View more
We need your help! The calibre of entries for this year's Resene Upcycling Awards has blown us away. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite below. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!

Find out more about each entry here. If you entered and didn't make the cut, don't worry! There's still spot prizes and other special category winners that are yet to be announced...

Thanks for voting; your clever neighbours thank you!

Upcycling Award finalists *VOTES ARE OPEN!*
  • 8.1% 1. Plant Drawers (Lee Morris from Levin)
    8.1% Complete
  • 6.4% 2. Garden Fridge Box (Daniel Todd from Linton)
    6.4% Complete
  • 16.6% 3. Plastic Spool Racetrack (Helen McFetrish from Hei Hei/Hornby)
    16.6% Complete
  • 20.2% 4. Playhouse (Pete Knewstubb from Waikanae)
    20.2% Complete
  • 12% 5. Remu Wall Art (Richard Barnett from Huntsbury)
    12% Complete
  • 3.4% 6. Pink and Grey Desk (Fran Bellingham from Hataitai)
    3.4% Complete
  • 7.6% 7. Kid's Kitchen (Wendy van der Voort from Hoon Hay)
    7.6% Complete
  • 25.5% Plastic Knives, Forks & Spoons Bird (Edith Gibson from Mount Albert)
    25.5% Complete
2384 votes
1531 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 you can grow herbs even in small gardens. Plus get cracking with spring seed sowing, repot houseplants, sow sweet peas, feed rhubarb plants, and look after newly-planted fruit trees. Follow this month’s guide to plants to sow and grow and meet the 2020 Houseplant … View moreIn this week’s issue we say you can grow herbs even in small gardens. Plus get cracking with spring seed sowing, repot houseplants, sow sweet peas, feed rhubarb plants, and look after newly-planted fruit trees. Follow this month’s guide to plants to sow and grow and meet the 2020 Houseplant Hero. Plus go in the draw for Tui potato growing products and Mr Fothergill’s ultimate gardening pack.

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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1531 days ago

Conservation dog has a nose for kororā

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Mena is a super dog hero.

Certified by the Department of Conservation to work as a conservation dog, she has done her bit to keep kororā (little blue penguins) safe on Cobham Drive.

Wellington City Council engineer Veronica Byrne sees careful penguin management as a top priority for the Cobham … View more
Mena is a super dog hero.

Certified by the Department of Conservation to work as a conservation dog, she has done her bit to keep kororā (little blue penguins) safe on Cobham Drive.

Wellington City Council engineer Veronica Byrne sees careful penguin management as a top priority for the Cobham Drive project, which is transforming this previously neglected area into a much more appealing place for people to walk, run, bike, scoot and spend time.

Every morning before work begins, workers checks for kororā which could have taken refuge over night.

They check under and around vehicles, and in the areas where rock is going to be moved from and to – using a torch when necessary, and a special camera to help them see into the crevices between rocks.

Mena has also played a key role. A New Zealand-born Hungarian Vizsla, she is specially trained to find places where penguins may be present, or have been regularly frequenting.

The detection experts from Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute (KORI) have carried out three searches so far, checking vegetation and rocks along the foreshore and mapping spots where special care needs to be taken.

Penguins tend to avoid the construction zone, but if one is spotted, which has happened on a few occasions, work in the immediate vicinity stops, and the team seek advice expert advice on the best course of action.

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1532 days ago

A saucy rebrand brings te reo Māori to Kiwi fridges and dinner tables

The Team Reporter from Stuff

Hi neighbours,

Are you looking for a new pantry staple? A Canterbury restaurateur has launched his own te reo Māori-branded tomato sauce after boycotting another for “bastardising” the language.

Fush owner Anton Matthews has teamed up with Barkers to produce Kīnaki Tomato after removing … View more
Hi neighbours,

Are you looking for a new pantry staple? A Canterbury restaurateur has launched his own te reo Māori-branded tomato sauce after boycotting another for “bastardising” the language.

Fush owner Anton Matthews has teamed up with Barkers to produce Kīnaki Tomato after removing Watties from his Christchurch restaurant because the company poked fun at Māori place names in an advertising campaign.

Matthews, who has become well-known for championing the country’s indigenous language, is proud to have te reo Māori on sauces displayed on his tables.

When he went in search of a new sauce to accompany his kaimoana (fish) and chips in January, they picked a sauce they loved, and asked the Geraldine-based condiment producer if it could collaborate on a label.

“I’m really stoked that they’ve taken a chance on us.”

To read more about Kīnaki Tomato, click here

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1532 days ago

Bold plan to boost Māori economic prosperity

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A regional strategy designed to boost Māori prosperity has been launched by the regional council..

The strategy focuses on five primary areas, each supported by an integrated range of actions to deliver economic, cultural, environmental, social and leadership outcomes for Māori over the next 10 … View more
A regional strategy designed to boost Māori prosperity has been launched by the regional council..

The strategy focuses on five primary areas, each supported by an integrated range of actions to deliver economic, cultural, environmental, social and leadership outcomes for Māori over the next 10 years.

Coordination of the project was led by Te Puritanga Jefferies, Senior Māori Economic Development Advisor within Te Pane Matua Taio (Greater Wellington), and supported by contractors from Orauariki, Wellington School of Business and Government.

The strategy is a first for Wellington and a key objective is to increase the number of Māori in Wellington’s professional workforce.

The strategy is called Te Matarau a Māui: Collaborative Pathways to Prosperous Māori Futures..

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1533 days ago

Poll: Is it time to ban smoking in public?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Earlier this month the Upper Hutt City Counci voted to extend its existing ban on smoking in public.

The ban covers all parks, reserves and sports grounds, as well as bus stations and bus stops.

Mayor Wayne Guppy said the Council wanted the city’s public spaces to be healthy environments for … View more
Earlier this month the Upper Hutt City Counci voted to extend its existing ban on smoking in public.

The ban covers all parks, reserves and sports grounds, as well as bus stations and bus stops.

Mayor Wayne Guppy said the Council wanted the city’s public spaces to be healthy environments for its children and young people to play in and enjoy.

A number of councils in the region have similar bans. Is it time to become totally smokefree and ban smoking in all public areas?

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Is it time to ban smoking in public?
  • 62.7% Should there be a total ban on smoking in public
    62.7% Complete
  • 37.3% No the current rules are tough enough
    37.3% Complete
491 votes
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