Kaitoke, Upper Hutt

1348 days ago

Former journo bringing flamenco to Upper Hutt

Reporter Community News

Ian Sinclair has partied with Rod Stewart, been arrested in Spain by General Francisco Franco’s​ secret police, and in his sixties has found a new career as a flamenco guitarist.
Best known as an experienced journalist on TV One, he covered more than 2000 stories. A regular on the Holmes Show, … View more
Ian Sinclair has partied with Rod Stewart, been arrested in Spain by General Francisco Franco’s​ secret police, and in his sixties has found a new career as a flamenco guitarist.
Best known as an experienced journalist on TV One, he covered more than 2000 stories. A regular on the Holmes Show, he spent periods as a foreign correspondent in areas like Kosovo and Afghanistan.
On Monday, March 22, he will be playing Ian Sinclair – My Secret Life, at Expressions Upper Hutt, combining his love of flamenco with the story of his life and career.
My Secret Life, at Expressions Upper Hutt, Monday, March 22 8pm, tickets $20.

Image
1348 days ago

We Say/You Say: Bottomless Brunches

Reporter Upper Hutt Leader

Hi neighbours,

What do you think about the Wellington City Council's move to ban "bottomless brunches?"

All-you-can-drink alcoholic beverages over a restaurant brunch could be in jeopardy after councillors indicated a ban on such deals.

Several establishments across the city… View more
Hi neighbours,

What do you think about the Wellington City Council's move to ban "bottomless brunches?"

All-you-can-drink alcoholic beverages over a restaurant brunch could be in jeopardy after councillors indicated a ban on such deals.

Several establishments across the city offer unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for a fixed price and this has led to complaints of excessive drinking.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean mentioned that several complaints were being followed up by council and police regarding these "all you can drink" deals.

“The ‘bottomless brunch' arrangements are a clear breach of liquor-licensing laws - which are designed to rule out irresponsible consumption of alcohol and intoxication,” MacLean said.

Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments featured in your local community newspaper.

Image
1348 days ago

Te Omanga Hospice boss wins community award

Reporter Community News

Hutt Valley residents did well in the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
Epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker took home the supreme award.
Te Omanga Hospice chief executive Biddy Harford (pictured) rook out the community award. Eastbourne resident Dr Ashley Bloomfield won the public service … View more
Hutt Valley residents did well in the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
Epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker took home the supreme award.
Te Omanga Hospice chief executive Biddy Harford (pictured) rook out the community award. Eastbourne resident Dr Ashley Bloomfield won the public service category and Upper Hutt businessman Malcolm Gillies took out the business category.
Created by The Dominion Post, the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards were started in 1989 to celebrate achievements and contributions across all sectors of the greater Wellington community, awarding those who make the region exciting and vibrant.

Image
1348 days ago

Upcycling Awards is back for 2021!

Resene

Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us … View more
Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us your all, we want to see your creations! Check out some of last years' entires here.

Take part in the 2021 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Learn more

Image
1349 days ago

All go for Maidstone Sports Hub

Reporter Community News

The $18 million Maidstone Sports Hub has got the green light.
Work will begin in April, with a completion date December 2022.
This redevelopment will create a multi-purpose sports park, which will be a focal point for recreation in the city, and the Wellington region.
The plan is to create a mix … View more
The $18 million Maidstone Sports Hub has got the green light.
Work will begin in April, with a completion date December 2022.
This redevelopment will create a multi-purpose sports park, which will be a focal point for recreation in the city, and the Wellington region.
The plan is to create a mix of new facilities and improvements; directly addressing the issue of ageing sports infrastructure in Upper Hutt.
The government has allocated $12m from the COVID-19 ‘Shovel Ready Projects’ funds.

1350 days ago

Local heroes, two women remove tonnes of rubbish

Reporter 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.

1351 days ago

My Wellington: Swee Tan

Reporter 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
1351 days ago

Cat survives being shot in face

Reporter 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
1351 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
1351 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
1351 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
1356 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
1351 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
1356 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Reporter Community News

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

Image
1354 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Reporter Community News

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

Image
Top