Paremata, Porirua

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1338 days ago

Local heroes, two women remove tonnes of rubbish

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

What can we do to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into the sea? That is the question two women are asking after spending a year cleaning up a coastal seal colony near Wellington.
Fishhooks, hundreds of shoes, 160 coffee sacks of rubbish, 48 tyres and 15 crayfish pots.
That is just some of … View more
What can we do to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into the sea? That is the question two women are asking after spending a year cleaning up a coastal seal colony near Wellington.
Fishhooks, hundreds of shoes, 160 coffee sacks of rubbish, 48 tyres and 15 crayfish pots.
That is just some of the rubbish Lorraine Shaab​ and Noeline Angus​ have removed from a seal colony on the Wainuiomata Coast, near Wellington, over the past year.

1339 days ago

My Wellington: Swee Tan

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Dr Swee Tan is a world-renowned researcher and plastic surgeon who has lived in Khandallah for 26 years. Born in Malaysia, Tan travelled the world before settling in the capital, where he heads up the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. Here’s his take on life in the capital.

How long have you … View more
Dr Swee Tan is a world-renowned researcher and plastic surgeon who has lived in Khandallah for 26 years. Born in Malaysia, Tan travelled the world before settling in the capital, where he heads up the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. Here’s his take on life in the capital.

How long have you been a Wellingtonian?
I was here in 1992 when I was doing my training in plastic surgery. We lived here for one year and then went overseas to London, then Oxford and Boston, and then came back in 1995. I was born in Malaysia, and left in 1980. I went to Melbourne, where I studied, and then I went to Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington. I resisted coming to Wellington because I went through Wellington in 1987 – it was a dead place, there was no restaurant open after 7pm.

Where is your favourite place to eat out?
We are very lucky to have good eating places. Yum cha at Dragons, for example, is one of our favourites. There are so many choices. Noble Rot is a very good place for dinner. If you are after brunch, Cafe Thyme next to the Twigland Garden Centre, which is my favourite garden centre. It’s between Johnsonville and Churton Park.

Where is the best coffee in Wellington?
You put me in a difficult position because in Wellington we have so many great places for coffee. Prefab is great, or Neo Cafe, and Revive in Petone. You can get good coffee anywhere really, but those are really great spot.

What’s an underrated attraction near you?
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is the only public botanical garden dedicated to native plants, and they are really nice: about 11 kilometres, with many bushes and gardens. We used to take our children there when they were younger. There is a stream there with eels, beautiful eels, an 800-year-old rimu tree and a nice canopy of trees. It is only five minutes away [from the city], it is right here on our doorstep.

What, in Wellington, can’t be beaten on a good day?
Walking along the waterfront with Maestro [Tan’s dog] along the path that takes you to Oriental Pde. It is such a beautiful place.

Image
1339 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Spike

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This week's Wellington SPCA Pet of the Day is a cat called Spike, who was adopted from the SPCA.

"Spike is going really well and has fully grown into his name. He’s a complete goon! He now spends his time running about the house, playing and snuggling with gusto. His favourite toy is … View more
This week's Wellington SPCA Pet of the Day is a cat called Spike, who was adopted from the SPCA.

"Spike is going really well and has fully grown into his name. He’s a complete goon! He now spends his time running about the house, playing and snuggling with gusto. His favourite toy is his mouse from the SPCA. He charges around the house with it in his mouth so it’s always near. The best thing we’ve enjoyed though is how the relationship between our dog Sadie and him has developed. Spike loves being near her, and always snuggles up next to her when he’s tired out from playing (as you can see from the photos!) Sadie is pretty smitten with him too. We all are. Thanks again for everything, Julia, Dave, Sadie and Spike."

1338 days ago

Get your hands dirty for a good cause

Porirua City Council

Porirua City Council and Conservation Volunteers Wellington are collaborating on several community conservation projects in Porirua to help restore and clean up litter in our local parks and reserves.

“We want to encourage our residents to get involved in these community conservation projectsView more
Porirua City Council and Conservation Volunteers Wellington are collaborating on several community conservation projects in Porirua to help restore and clean up litter in our local parks and reserves.

“We want to encourage our residents to get involved in these community conservation projects, it is a fantastic way to give back and you don’t need any training or special gear – Conservation Volunteers will provide everything that you may need,” says Julian Emeny, the Council’s Parks Manager.

Conservation Volunteers has all bases covered – they provide a fully trained team leader overseeing the event, gloves, tools, health and safety management, and training.

“We ask volunteers to wear good sturdy boots, long sleeves and pants. Bringahat, a weatherproof jacket and a packed lunch, snacks and water to keep you going while saving the planet!” says Emeny.

He says that it is also a fun day out for families and a great way to get young and old involved in local conservation projects. “Bring the whole whānau along and makeaday of it. We’d love to see a great turnout of people supporting their local parks and reserves.”

Upcoming events

20 March, 9am Bothamley Park Restoration, 14 Fiordland Place, Aotea. We’ll attend to previously planted trees and do a litter cleanup. Afterwards there will be a short, guided hikoi through the bush.

24 March, 9am Porirua wetland restoration, Bowlers Wharf, Papakōwhai. We’ll be cleaning up rubbish and removing invasive weeds from around estuary areas and streambanks.

8 April, 9am Sievers Grove Nursery day. We’ll help with the propagation processes to nurture and raise native plants which will be used to restore ecosystems and wildlife habitats.

17 April, 9am Cannons Creek Lakes clean up. Come and help us to restore and protect the creek for all the critters and native plants that live there.

You can find more information on volunteering opportunities at conservationvolunteers.co.nz
Find out more

Image
1339 days ago

Cat survives being shot in face

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A cherished family cat has survived being shot in the face, but sustained serious damage from the attack.
Ginger cat Jamie​ took a bullet to the cheek – millimetres from his left eye and narrowly missing his brain – fragmenting his skull.
He was lucky to survive the recent shooting in … View more
A cherished family cat has survived being shot in the face, but sustained serious damage from the attack.
Ginger cat Jamie​ took a bullet to the cheek – millimetres from his left eye and narrowly missing his brain – fragmenting his skull.
He was lucky to survive the recent shooting in Wellington.
But the incident has left him deaf in one ear and the pupil in his left eye unable to contract.
Meanwhile, the SPCA is appealing to the public for help with its investigation into the shooting.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 0800 467 732 in confidence and quote reference 323422.

Image
1339 days ago

Calling all painters

Mikaela Wilkes Reporter from Homed

Hey neighbours,
are you using the long weekend to tackle that long-over due reno? Or do you have a project you'd love to do in your home or garden but don't know where to start?

The experts at Resene are offering to help answer all your painting and decorating questions. Whether … View more
Hey neighbours,
are you using the long weekend to tackle that long-over due reno? Or do you have a project you'd love to do in your home or garden but don't know where to start?

The experts at Resene are offering to help answer all your painting and decorating questions. Whether it's how to choose the right type of paint to cover a stain, how to go about planning a mural, or how long you really need to spend on sanding down that woodwork, they're happy to help.

Send us your question at homed@stuff.co.nz or leave it in the comments and we'll put the best questions to the Resene team (please note: we may not be able to answer every single question). The answers will be published in an article on Stuff ahead of the long weekend.

If you don't want us to use your comment or name on Stuff, please mention that in your post.

Image
1339 days ago

Everyone deserves to feel safe in their own community. 💐

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

Today we remember the victims, families and communities affected on 15.03.2019

Image
1339 days ago

SuperSeniors

Office for Seniors

Consumer groups are warning seniors to be vigilant when being invited to join discount clubs with seemingly 'exclusive' offers.

Senior Advantage charges an upfront yearly fee of $39, claiming on its website that members can "save up to 70% at almost every store in New Zealand".… View more
Consumer groups are warning seniors to be vigilant when being invited to join discount clubs with seemingly 'exclusive' offers.

Senior Advantage charges an upfront yearly fee of $39, claiming on its website that members can "save up to 70% at almost every store in New Zealand". However, TVNZ 1 News, along with Consumer NZ, have voiced concerns.

For more information and advice, read our article in the latest SuperSeniors newsletter: bit.ly...

Image
1344 days ago

Awareness Week 8-14 March 2021

Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand

Do you know we help everyone? Some people get a bit stuck on our name, but you don’t have to have NZ citizenship to use our service. We’re here for everyone, no matter your nationality, age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality… (or other wonderful identifying feature of a person!).

Join us for CAB… View more
Do you know we help everyone? Some people get a bit stuck on our name, but you don’t have to have NZ citizenship to use our service. We’re here for everyone, no matter your nationality, age, ethnicity, gender, sexuality… (or other wonderful identifying feature of a person!).

Join us for CAB Awareness Week 8-14 March 2021, where we celebrate 50 years of serving the community.

www.cab.org.nz...

Image
1339 days ago

Find out more about volunteering for Victim Support!

Victim Support

What does 2021 hold in store for you? How about volunteering with Victim Support?

We’re recruiting new volunteers in your neighbourhood!

Volunteer Support Workers come from all walks of life, just like those who need our help. They make an incredible difference by providing support and … View more
What does 2021 hold in store for you? How about volunteering with Victim Support?

We’re recruiting new volunteers in your neighbourhood!

Volunteer Support Workers come from all walks of life, just like those who need our help. They make an incredible difference by providing support and information for people affected by crime, trauma, and suicide. Volunteers receive comprehensive training and assistance from our locally based staff.

Come and meet some of our Wellington and Hutt Valley team to find out what it’s all about!

Our next Volunteer Information Evenings are coming up on Tuesday 30 March (Hutt Valley) and Wednesday 31 March (Wellington). Follow the link to register or find out more.
Find out more

Image
1344 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This should not be too hard? What do you know about this image?

Image
1342 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Another pic from Kelson photographer Andrew Gorrie of a tui. O think you will agree it is a lovely photo.

Image
1341 days ago

Pet of the Day: Meet Girlgirl

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This week we feature Girlgirl from Masterton, who enjoys checking out the view. She is an ex SPCA rescue kitty and belongs to Karen Wilson from Masterton.

Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say what … View more
This week we feature Girlgirl from Masterton, who enjoys checking out the view. She is an ex SPCA rescue kitty and belongs to Karen Wilson from Masterton.

Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say what suburb you are from.

Image
1342 days ago

Retro coffee table

The Team from Resene ColorShop Petone

Refresh a retro coffee table without losing its character with a touch of colour and Resene Aquaclear.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how you can refresh your old table.

Image
K
1371 days ago

Housework costs

Kay from Aotea

I know there’s a minimum wage but not sure what to offer a house cleaner per hour. Any suggestions please?

Top