Paremata, Porirua

1201 days ago

Rotary challenges young minds

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

Aleha Thorn (who was accompanied by her father, Joel) spoke to us about her recent experience attending the six day live-in programme for Innovative Young Minds.

Along with forty other young women, she was swept along with the intensity of the work aimed at involving them in a variety of … View more
Aleha Thorn (who was accompanied by her father, Joel) spoke to us about her recent experience attending the six day live-in programme for Innovative Young Minds.

Along with forty other young women, she was swept along with the intensity of the work aimed at involving them in a variety of activities associated with the STEM sector. With inspirational speakers, visits to several organisations and hands-on environmental problem solving, the days were full and challenging.

As a young woman, Aleha is often asked the common question of 'what do you want to do?' and of course the answer is not always clear. While having a broad range of study interests, Aleha noted few students understand or can uncover the mysteries of the future.

The IYM programme with its real-life and hands-on experiences will be a great help in guiding her along the paths to unexpected places her life can lead her.

Aleha finished her presentation by thanking the club for the opportunity to attend the programme and expressing the hope that the support might be continued for other young women in the future.

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1201 days ago

John Burnet talked about his bees

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

Some 30 years ago, our speaker tonight, John Burnet, acquired a single beehive, and this introduced him to the exciting world of bees and the consequent growth of his hive holding to twenty-four. This hive empire, which is urban-based, produces about 200 kg of honey in a year and John consumes some… View moreSome 30 years ago, our speaker tonight, John Burnet, acquired a single beehive, and this introduced him to the exciting world of bees and the consequent growth of his hive holding to twenty-four. This hive empire, which is urban-based, produces about 200 kg of honey in a year and John consumes some himself and then sells the surplus on the local market.

Bees are essential for pollination in agriculture and horticulture and so, in 1839, Mary Bumby managed to establish two hives in the Hokianga (imagine the issues around bringing hives on a sailing ship from the other side of the world!) and then commercial beekeeping was established in 1878.

Most bees in New Zealand are honeybees (an Italian variety) although there are less social and shorter living native bees and smaller numbers of other introduced bees.

We have the highest number of hives per capita in the world with 885,160 registered hives with 10,340 beekeepers managing them.

Hive production has decreased over the years as commercial production has increased and the workload for managing hives has increased because of the establishment of varroa mites throughout the country.

We all know about the pampered life a Queen bee leads but of interest was the fact that any worker bee can be transformed into a queen if the need arises. The queen also, by choice, chooses the sex of her offspring.

Worker bees are infertile females, and they work a punishing schedule during their life that can last from six weeks to six months in the winter. It is all work and no play.

The drones are indolent males; however, there is a certain brutality to life as they are thrown out in winter when the hive population declines from around 60,000 to 20,000 and their sexual abilities are no longer in demand.

There is considerable interest in having bees in an urban environment and brightly coloured hives can be seen in many locations. If you have wondered why the multi-colour hives exist, the answer is it helps the bees find their home after a hard day in the field.

There are many plants that can be used to attract bees which are in everyone’s interest but the tip that found the most favour was to let your lawn grow longer by mowing less frequently.

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1204 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Any thoughts on this picture? You will do well to get all four names.

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1201 days ago

Free climate-action workshop for teachers and educators

Sustainability Trust

Tēnā koutou! Are you a teacher or educator who is keen to help your school and your students embrace a culture dedicated to climate action? Does the idea of sustainable behaviour patterns for life appeal to you? Or maybe you’d like to be the person who transformed the way your kura/school or … View moreTēnā koutou! Are you a teacher or educator who is keen to help your school and your students embrace a culture dedicated to climate action? Does the idea of sustainable behaviour patterns for life appeal to you? Or maybe you’d like to be the person who transformed the way your kura/school or kōhanga/early childhood centre thought about and dealt with waste?

Well, thanks to funding from the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainability Trust is holding a FREE 1-day workshop to help you do this.

This workshop is part of the Your Sustainable Schools (YSSN) Train the Trainer programme.

YSSN Train the Trainer Porirua is on 12 August from 9 am to 4 pm at Te Rauparaha Arena.
Only 20 spots remaining.

For more information & to book, head to - Your Sustainable Schools Porirua
Find out more

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1202 days ago
1202 days ago

Wooden butterfly

The Team from Resene ColorShop Petone

Recreate a Kiwiana classic using butterflise and Resene testpots.

Find out how to create your own.

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1203 days ago

Honey - the healthy sweetener

Rod from Hive World Honey

I am not sure all these benefits are scientifically proven but honey makes you feel good anyway.

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1203 days ago

Wish dinner time was a little...simpler?

The Team from HelloFresh

Hi Neighbours, back to school has thrown your routine into chaos? HelloFresh has dinner sorted for you. With our +20 quick and easy recipes (covering a range of dietary needs with new ones added every week!), dinner time will become a delicious breeze🌿

With no lock-in contracts, you can … View more
Hi Neighbours, back to school has thrown your routine into chaos? HelloFresh has dinner sorted for you. With our +20 quick and easy recipes (covering a range of dietary needs with new ones added every week!), dinner time will become a delicious breeze🌿

With no lock-in contracts, you can pause, skip or cancel your subscription at any time. You can also switch up your plan sizes and delivery times to suit your household and schedule.

Sign up today and get up to $100 off across your first 4 boxes with code “NEIGHBOUR”. All you need to do is cook!
Order now

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1203 days ago

Puppy

Luana from Ranui

PUPPY AVAILABLE, Has had first parvo shot and vet check.
9wks old Thursday the 29th, so ready for new home.
Mastiff X StaffyX Has been wormed every 2wks from 4wks old. Fully weaned off mum.
Only experienced dog owners with fenced sections will be considered. Please no time wasters. Location is … View more
PUPPY AVAILABLE, Has had first parvo shot and vet check.
9wks old Thursday the 29th, so ready for new home.
Mastiff X StaffyX Has been wormed every 2wks from 4wks old. Fully weaned off mum.
Only experienced dog owners with fenced sections will be considered. Please no time wasters. Location is Porirua/Wellington Region

Price: $300

1204 days ago

Kiwi Can

The Team from Graeme Dingle Foundation Wellington

Kiwi Can can go beyond a students time at Primary School 💚

Check out what Head of Memberships at Diversity Works NZ, Ola Ioane has to say about his experience with Kiwi Can!

"I have a deeply personal connection to Graeme Dingle Foundation as I was blessed to be a child in your youth … View more
Kiwi Can can go beyond a students time at Primary School 💚

Check out what Head of Memberships at Diversity Works NZ, Ola Ioane has to say about his experience with Kiwi Can!

"I have a deeply personal connection to Graeme Dingle Foundation as I was blessed to be a child in your youth development programmes many years ago. For this, I extend a massive fa’afetai lava (thank you!). Will always be super grateful for the learning and development from your programme. I was part of Kiwi Can through Koru School. My Kiwi Can Leader was an awesome human named Ina (I think that’s his name). Funny – I don’t remember much about primary school but I definitely remember our Kiwi Can sessions."

Ola Ioane, Diversity Works NZ

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1204 days ago

NEW Wellington Community Pools Facebook page!

Lessi Riccio from Wellington City Council

We now have a new official combined Facebook page for our Wellington Community Pools - Tawa, Karori, Keith Spry, Freyberg, Thorndon and Khandallah. It’s your one stop shop for all pool updates, timetable information and any upcoming fun events.

All of our individual pool pages will be closing … View more
We now have a new official combined Facebook page for our Wellington Community Pools - Tawa, Karori, Keith Spry, Freyberg, Thorndon and Khandallah. It’s your one stop shop for all pool updates, timetable information and any upcoming fun events.

All of our individual pool pages will be closing down on Monday 2 August, so now is the time to follow our new page to get updates on your local pool. This page does not include Wellington Regional Aquatic Centre.

Click the read more button below to follow the page now!

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1204 days ago

Raising Funds for our Charity

Logan from Freedom Living Charitable Trust

As a way of raising funds for our Charity, we are providing onsite IT services to the general public of the Wellington Region at an affordable price of $80 per hour, with a minimum of an hour.

IT Services:

• Computer and device troubleshooting
• Computer and hardware upgrades
• Tutorials … View more
As a way of raising funds for our Charity, we are providing onsite IT services to the general public of the Wellington Region at an affordable price of $80 per hour, with a minimum of an hour.

IT Services:

• Computer and device troubleshooting
• Computer and hardware upgrades
• Tutorials on how to use your technology
• Anti-Virus checks
• IT advice and recommendations
• Or any issues or questions you may have with technology

You can check us out on our website, but if you prefer, you can contact us directly on 021 467 119, or email lsayers@flct.org.nz

1204 days ago

60+? Book your vaccination now.

The Team from Ministry of Health

Are you aged 60+? If so, go to BookMyVaccine.nz now to reserve your spot to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

You can be vaccinated at any point from now – there’s no cut off.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and your whānau from COVID-19.

The stronger our immunity, the … View more
Are you aged 60+? If so, go to BookMyVaccine.nz now to reserve your spot to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

You can be vaccinated at any point from now – there’s no cut off.

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect you and your whānau from COVID-19.

The stronger our immunity, the greater our possibilities.

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1204 days ago

Homeowners - eligible for a free home energy assessment.

Sustainability Trust

Are your energy bills so high they've got you feeling down? Maybe you're wondering where that draught is coming from or where all that expensive heat is going?

Or maybe your home feels (dare we say it) MOIST?

The truth is that there are lots of things that contribute to how healthy … View more
Are your energy bills so high they've got you feeling down? Maybe you're wondering where that draught is coming from or where all that expensive heat is going?

Or maybe your home feels (dare we say it) MOIST?

The truth is that there are lots of things that contribute to how healthy a home feels and how well it functions.

That's why Wellington City Council in partnership with us (Sustainability Trust) offer free personalised home energy plans specific to your home. The end goal is to arm you with the information you need to create a warm, dry, healthier home. You can even find out if your home is EV or solar ready.

This is a completely free service for homeowners in Wellington City.

Book your free home energy assessment today.
Find out more

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1205 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Words and pictures by Rosa Marie.

"This afternoon it was off to Pāuatahanui for a kingfisher hunt with a husband who is very good at taking my hints about it being a beautiful day whilst staring at the birds that were flying around outside!
The kingfishers were certainly in the usual place, … View more
Words and pictures by Rosa Marie.

"This afternoon it was off to Pāuatahanui for a kingfisher hunt with a husband who is very good at taking my hints about it being a beautiful day whilst staring at the birds that were flying around outside!
The kingfishers were certainly in the usual place, but not really being social with each other as they were on our previous trip.
I waded out in my wellies but couldn't really get as close to them as I would have wanted to! Here are a few shots of them on various bits of driftwood, some with crabs in their mouths, some without! It was lovely to also capture the spoonbills coming into land to have a feed."

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