HUNTING HOUSES HUTT VALLEY
Tv One's house hunting in the country series had its controversies. No more so than when prospective buyers went through a home that they actually owned and lived in and of course wanted to get out of. They treated the arrangement as though they had never seen their house and property before and thus as per one of the show's three houses presented to them for considering to buy.
Then in the final episode of the 2024 series, there were a family of six plus two dogs and a cat looking for a large home in Lower Hutt city.
Some country and to top it off it was billed as the Hutt Valley at least a dozen times yet the three houses shown to the family were all in Lower Hutt - a Western Hills suburb home, one in the heart of Naenae and the third a near historical house in urban Petone. The latter was too small for me, my wife and Corgi.
So no Upper Hutt but still billed as the Hutt Valley with its near 170,000 combined population. I suppose "Hutt Valley" has a countryside connotation.
We're taking the bus!
The number of Wellingtonians taking the bus and train rose by 3% last week compared to the same time last year, according to Metlink.
Not surprising given petrol prices at the moment. But if you're considering giving up your car commute for a leisurely bus ride in the mornings, it would be worth it.
It's about to get even easier: In April, e-pay will be launched, meaning you can tap on with your credit cards as well as smart devices.
It's better on the environment too: With most Metlink trains running on electricity, 25% of the bus fleet being EVβs and the Ika Rere electric ferry, Metlink is able to move more people using less fuel than any other transport option.
With fuel costs so high, it's a good idea to jump on board if you can. If you've become a public transport convert recently, how have you found it?
Poll: Tightening the belt at the pump ... How are you pivoting? ππ²π
Between the headlines about the Strait of Hormuz and the creeping costs at our local stations, the "fuel crisis" has moved from the news to our wallets.
A recent opinion piece in The Post suggested that Wellington Councils should be shifting our public facilities to renewable energy ASAP to keep our rates from being vulnerable to these global fuel hikes. Itβs a big conversation for the city, but what about your daily commute?
We want to know: With fuel prices staying high for the foreseeable future, are you changing how you get around the capital?
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18.8% Yes β Iβm a bus/train user
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6.1% Dusting off the bike
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6.1% Working from home
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62.4% Nope, same as always
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6.6% Other (Tell us your strategy in the comments!)
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