Brown Owl, Upper Hutt

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman villages across the country are open every Wednesday in November.

1419 days ago

Watch out for toxic algae in local rivers

Reporter Community News

With the warmer weather it is time to remember to look out for toxic algae, which is lethal to dogs, in local rivers.
There is currently outbreaks in the Pakuratahi River (Kaitoke) and Waipoua River in the Wairarapa. People are advised not to swim in both areas and to keep dogs on a lead.

1420 days ago

A supportive and social village life for Alan

Bupa Fergusson Retirement Village

Alan sadly lost his wife Phyllis just before the first lockdown in 2020, after the couple moved into the village five years ago.

“They have all been so supportive when I really needed it most. I wrote them all a personal letter to thank them.”

The 90 year old, who has spent his entire life in… View more
Alan sadly lost his wife Phyllis just before the first lockdown in 2020, after the couple moved into the village five years ago.

“They have all been so supportive when I really needed it most. I wrote them all a personal letter to thank them.”

The 90 year old, who has spent his entire life in Christchurch, says his regular expenses are down due to village living and was immediately taken with the apartment opportunity after a tour.

“The security of this place appealed to me, and it was very warm. I also liked that there’s nothing to worry about, you don’t have to think about getting a plumber in for example.”

The couple’s two daughters and son helped them both move into the village, a downsizing that was far easier than Alan thought it would be. Now with a two bedroom apartment, Alan says he really enjoys having a dwelling more compact than his original family home.

“You’ve got to adapt haven’t you, and an apartment is just so easy to keep clean and tidy. I still have a small garden and I like to grow runner beans.”

With a wool buying background and a stint as a golf professional too, Alan has had a busy career but says he prefers the quieter life these days with enough social activities, like bowls and mahjong, to keep him entertained.

Alan helped to start a village choir that now has 24 members and regular practice sessions to prepare for upcoming recitals. The grandfather of five grandchildren and six great grandchildren (pictured with artwork from one of his great grandchildren Tabitha) says he’s always open to welcoming new residents as neighbours.

“To be free of all that worry of maintenance at my time of life is a relief. Plus we could do with a few more in the choir too.”

Get more info about Bupa Fergusson: www.bupa.co.nz...

Image
1420 days ago

Free stuff - Moved house and can't fit it all in

Alena from Trentham

2 x mirrors
Infra-red lamp
Kids Easel and blackboard in one
Oil heater
Contact me on 021904484. Pick up Trentham

Free

1421 days ago

Is Whittaker's your dream job?

Reporter Community News

It’s every kid’s dream to work at a chocolate factory. Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
View more
It’s every kid’s dream to work at a chocolate factory. Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
Megan Sinclair, the new product development manager at Whittaker’s in Wellington, is living that dream – albeit without the chocolate rivers – designing flavours and roasting batches of beans in her little lab on the factory floor.
It’s called the micro-lab, and within its walls there are cupboards of flavours and scents, everything from cake batter to beetroot, a mini bean roaster, and a mixing machine called a melange.
In this, she can make 12 kilogram batches to test flavours, or 45kg batches in the one in the room next door; small quantities compared to the tonnes pumped out by the main factory on a daily basis.

C
1420 days ago

Canvas prints for sale

Clare from Trentham

Arc de Triomphe 51cm x 51cm
Eiffel Tower 36cm x 53cm
Collage print 50cm x 68cm
Parrot 40cm x 60cm
Pick up or can drop off in Upper Hutt

Price: $30

Image
1420 days ago

Upgrade for Upper Hutt Railway Station

Reporter Community News

Work has begun this week on an upgrade of the Upper Hutt Railway Station.
Station users will begin to see upgrades to the carpark area, including more commuter parking, a space for new bicycle parking, a new crossing, carpool spaces and new accessible parks.
The work is expected to be finished by … View more
Work has begun this week on an upgrade of the Upper Hutt Railway Station.
Station users will begin to see upgrades to the carpark area, including more commuter parking, a space for new bicycle parking, a new crossing, carpool spaces and new accessible parks.
The work is expected to be finished by the end of April.
And for train spotters, our picture is from 1956.

Image
1421 days ago

Get fit & learn self-defence at the same time! Upper Hutt classes open next week!

Carl from Pinehaven

Looking to gain some fitness and work off those christmas dinners?
Have fun doing it and learn self-defence at the same time.


The Inspired Lives School of Self-Defence kicks off again next Tuesday, 12 January. We're a Wing-Chun and Zen Do Kai-based school that also incorporates Arnis … View more
Looking to gain some fitness and work off those christmas dinners?
Have fun doing it and learn self-defence at the same time.


The Inspired Lives School of Self-Defence kicks off again next Tuesday, 12 January. We're a Wing-Chun and Zen Do Kai-based school that also incorporates Arnis (Phillipino stick fighting) and BJJ.


We train Tues and Thurs nights, 7.30-9pm and hold a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals class on Saturday mornings, 8.30-9.30am. It's open to anyone, age 13 and up.


Learn more at www.schoolofselfdefence.net.... Any questions, drop Carl a line at carl@inspiredlives.co.nz or on 021 263 5508.


It's just $10 a week (or a maximum $15 per week for the whole family) and we're based at 'The Spot', on the corner of Milton St and Fergusson Drive. Look forward to seeing you there!

Image
1423 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Smokey

Reporter Community News

Smokey is a rehomed cat who is loving his new life with his happy new owner.
“He is really relaxed now, loves purring and is extremely happy, although is still on guard with unfamiliar noises. Smokey started off being quite afraid of most things, but now is a well-behaved cat who is newly … View more
Smokey is a rehomed cat who is loving his new life with his happy new owner.
“He is really relaxed now, loves purring and is extremely happy, although is still on guard with unfamiliar noises. Smokey started off being quite afraid of most things, but now is a well-behaved cat who is newly learning to use his scratching post, rather than a carpet! Smokey loves routine and "helps" people by sitting in their laps when they are trying to work or type. He has become an integral part of a piano teaching studio and loves both music and all the students.”

Image
1421 days ago

Is it safe to swim?

Reporter Community News

Summer is a great time to enjoy our coast and waterways, but it pays to check first to see if the water is safe to swim in.

Image
1421 days ago

The rare but impressive yellow pōhutukawa

Reporter Community News

Thank-you to everybody who came forward with tips on yellow pōhutukawa. There are certainly more in the region than many people realise.

1423 days ago

Housesitting & Pet Sitting 🏡 🐶

Paige from Trentham

Hello everyone,

Are you wanting to go on holiday? But worried about who will take care of your precious pets and house? Well don’t fret as I am now available for house sitting as well as pet sitting for 2021!

I have a few dates for this year already booked in however have lots of space … View more
Hello everyone,

Are you wanting to go on holiday? But worried about who will take care of your precious pets and house? Well don’t fret as I am now available for house sitting as well as pet sitting for 2021!

I have a few dates for this year already booked in however have lots of space available for 2021 🏡 get in touch with me via message on here or feel free to flick me a text on 0226524010

I am incredibly tidy, sensible and organised. I even have a post on neighbourly from someone I house/dog sitted for backing this up. 🤩

Thanks everyone, don’t be afraid to get in touch with any questions/ concerns!

Paige Barnden-Leslie

1424 days ago

Pets of the Day: Jack and Lily

Reporter Community News

A bonus this week, Jack the cat and Lily the Maltese Sydney Silkie cross.

Jack belongs to Catrina Nicholson.
"Jack is seven years old and we have had him for under two months now. I put out a post asking if anyone was trying to find a home for a cat they could no longer take care of. So we… View more
A bonus this week, Jack the cat and Lily the Maltese Sydney Silkie cross.

Jack belongs to Catrina Nicholson.
"Jack is seven years old and we have had him for under two months now. I put out a post asking if anyone was trying to find a home for a cat they could no longer take care of. So we had two on the day we went to see them. And we went for this boy Jack, settled in so fast."

Lily belongs to John and Virginia Francis, from Paraparaumu.
"Our Lily is a Maltese Sydney Silkie cross. At 17 months she is fully grown at 3kg. Loves meeting children and other small dogs."

If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo.

1426 days ago

Did you feel the shake this morning?

Reporter Community News

There was a short but quite intense earthquake this morning, centred near Upper Hutt. Did you feel it?

Image
1424 days ago

Shoes

Maurene from Birchville

Woman’s black shoes with a small heel hush puppies size 7
Phone 0275004576

Price: $25

1426 days ago

The cat that came back

Reporter Community News

For 18 months, Nikki Guthardt’s thought her cat was probably dead. She’d even mourned over what she thought was his body.
But then, the cat came back.
Romeo the cat was last seen running out Guthardt’s​ front door not long after her family shifted to Upper Hutt in June last year.
Month … View more
For 18 months, Nikki Guthardt’s thought her cat was probably dead. She’d even mourned over what she thought was his body.
But then, the cat came back.
Romeo the cat was last seen running out Guthardt’s​ front door not long after her family shifted to Upper Hutt in June last year.
Month after month she posted about Romeo, asking people to keep en eye out for him on community pages and lost pet registers.

Image
Top