125 days ago

Porirua scrub fire

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Fire crews continue to fight a scrub fire in the Porirua seaside area of Titahi Bay this morning (Friday) which began late on Thursday night and northerly winds pushed a veil of smoke from the blaze over Wellington’s northern suburbs. Smoke was also reported in the Hutt Valley and the Wellington coastal suburb of Miramar.

What you need to know:
- Fenz was alerted to the blaze at 11.04pm on Thursday, and the first crews arrived by about 11.10pm.
- About 7.15am Friday, Fire and Emergency NZ said eight crews were still working to bring the vegetation fire under control. Helicopters with monsoon buckets would also be working on Friday morning.
- The fire was burning over about 10ha in Whitireia Park, and people were asked to stay away from the area. No homes were at risk, Fenz said.
- Residents in Wellington’s northern suburbs woke to the sight of a red glow in the sky and the smell of smoke in the air.
- Commuters travelling into Wellington city from the north were also driving through heavy smoke over the motorway in the central Porirua area.
- Fenz said smoke was affecting a large part of Porirua, and the National Public Health Service had advised that people in an area where there was smoke should go inside, close the windows and doors and turn off air conditioning units. Anyone who had been exposed to the smoke and was feeling unwell should contact Healthline (0800 611 116) or ring their doctor for advice.

Beware of inhaling smoke:
People should avoid exposure to smoke if possible.
Smoke may irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and airways. Symptoms could include watery or sore eyes, dry or sore throat, sore nose, cough, tightness of the chest or difficulty breathing. In healthy people, most symptoms disappeared soon after exposure to smoke ended and did not cause long-term health problems. Smokers, the elderly, children, and those with heart disease, asthma or other lung disease were at the greatest risk of harm from smoke inhalation.

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More messages from your neighbours
3 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?
  • 81.8% Yes
    81.8% Complete
  • 17.9% No
    17.9% Complete
  • 0.3% Other - I'll share below
    0.3% Complete
1061 votes
H
5 hours ago

Porirua Has Talent Hits Town:

Porirua Women and Family Centre

Dance, Sing, Shine!
There’s a buzz and excitement is rising – Porirua Has Talent has landed, and registrations are open.
That’s the word from Kylie Anderson, Team Leader Porirua Women and Family Centre, who says students visited at local schools can’t wait to sign up.
“They’re just so excited about the chance to show off their talents and take part in something really positive for the city.
From singing in the shower to back flips in the garden – talented young people all over town have been showing off to friends and family for years now’s the chance to take this to the big stage.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says she is delighted that the Porirua Women and Family centre is providing a platform for young people to shine.

Registrations are open to anyone from Porirua aged 5 to 25.
* Register online by 14th June 2024.
* Numbers are limited so get in quick.

Auditions are being held in the July school holidays with online auditions available for those who can’t make it in person. The quarter, semi, and grand finals will be held in August and September.
Find out more

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5 hours ago

What word is always spelled wrong?

Riddles from The Neighbourly Riddler

The riddle of the day is...What word is always spelled wrong?

*Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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