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Hi Neighbourly folk, this lovely story about a cat named Moose reminds us important pets are in lockdown. Moose is a SPCA rescue cat.
Ho is your pet coping in lockdown and feel free to post a picture.
“I wanted to give an update on how “Clarence”—now named Moose— is settling in. He’s … View moreHi Neighbourly folk, this lovely story about a cat named Moose reminds us important pets are in lockdown. Moose is a SPCA rescue cat.
Ho is your pet coping in lockdown and feel free to post a picture.
“I wanted to give an update on how “Clarence”—now named Moose— is settling in. He’s such a relaxed cat! He’s become very attached to our 14m old lab/collie mix and they play together really well! We had hoped they would get along, as he had been fostered with a dog, but it’s been great to see them bond so quickly. Moose has also bonded strongly with my partner and I, falling asleep on us while we work and my partner even moves his little bed onto his desk while he’s in meetings working from home. Hope you guys enjoy some photos.”
Since May of this year, we have noticed that all attempts at community representation have been denied, or ignored. Feedback to the long term plan was ignored, the petition to retain the Waikanae recycling centre was ignored, and numerous attempts to serve a notice of motion at council have been … View moreSince May of this year, we have noticed that all attempts at community representation have been denied, or ignored. Feedback to the long term plan was ignored, the petition to retain the Waikanae recycling centre was ignored, and numerous attempts to serve a notice of motion at council have been rejected. We lost our recycling facility in Waikanae, and now we are about to lose our community boards and the Waikanae ward.
Now according to the Local Government Act, (2002) there are some fairly stringent requirements which must be observed in relation to any withdrawal of service. In accordance with section 93E of the act, it should give the details of the proposed decision, the reasons for this decision, an analysis of options and any potential conflict of interest which may arise. Clearly, these comprehensive requirements were not met. We were given the most implausible reasons for the loss of the recycling centre. Briefings on the proposed loss of community boards etc were held in secret. Why the haste and lack of transparency, I wonder?
Several possibilities arise here. First off is the $5 million shortfall in the Gateway project. In their haste to grab some free government money council appears to have overlooked that they have to find another 5 million of ratepayers money. Imagine the embarrassment of the Chief Executive if the council ends up insolvent? They are desperate to cut spending anywhere they can. If this means doing away with democratic representation, then so be it. It raises the possibility of more cuts in service to come. Something we should watch for.
Second on my list is the corporate expansion this council is undertaking. How many people are aware, I wonder, that, in addition to their flash new offices in Ivor Trask Place, they have also taken over the entire top floor of the new Takiri building in Rimu Rd. That's a big rent bill. What are these people doing in their flash new Takiri Offices? We will probably never know. Certainly there does not appear to be any significant community project being undertaken, quite the reverse. Other observations have reinforced my view that this is a very inward looking council. They spend an inordinate amount of time on minutiae, dealing with their own internal processes and their status. In recent months they have lost the confidence of their electorate. There appears to be little concern given to the welfare of Kapiti residents. They will not step up regarding the housing crisis, the food bank is still struggling to find a place to operate and Waikanae is still making do with a makeshift library. This lack of concern could be a fatal mistake. First rule of local government is that one should always take the community with you in any initiative. Anyone got any other interesting theories about why the council is behaving so badly?
Seems that my post on Despicable Them as been corrupted. When I click on the "view all replies", I get Stephen Brunton's disabled profile. Anyone know how to fix this?
On Thursday 25 August, during level four lockdown. KCDC intends to hold a council meeting. At this meeting they are voting to do away with the Waikanae Community board and the Waikanae Ward and combine Paraparaumu and Waikanae into one big ward. Its Gerrymandering at its best, and guess what … View moreOn Thursday 25 August, during level four lockdown. KCDC intends to hold a council meeting. At this meeting they are voting to do away with the Waikanae Community board and the Waikanae Ward and combine Paraparaumu and Waikanae into one big ward. Its Gerrymandering at its best, and guess what folks, they 're doing it all by zoom.
Parliament is not sitting during level four, but of course KCDC is so special they can hold a meeting. So they are going to vote on doing away with the local government services for a town where over half the people are aged over 60 and it is estimated that a large proportion of these residents either don't have zoom or don't know how to use it Still others may not be comfortable using zoom in a formal meeting setting. This is about as inequitable as it gets.
If they had an ounce of integrity they would cancel this meeting. They are well aware of the inequity. As the Chief Executive sneered during the June 24 meeting regarding a councilor joining the meeting via zoom: "if he hasn't got the technology, he cant participate".
Holding the meeting via zoom seriously restricts the ability of Waikanae residents to participate in important decisions about their local government representation. I urge everyone to email their ward and district wide Councillors and express your disapproval of this action. Email the Mayor too. I really think they have gone too far this time.
I suspect this will lead to yet another complaint to the ombudsman about this council and this time we will consider a request for a full review of council activities. This council is not fit to govern.
If you are managing to utilize this time at home to catch up on some gardening and yard work, make sure you are looking after your spine in the process! 👍
Check out Dave's video below for simple, practical ways to ensure your gardening work doesn't need to be a pain! 👩🌾
- … View moreIf you are managing to utilize this time at home to catch up on some gardening and yard work, make sure you are looking after your spine in the process! 👍
Check out Dave's video below for simple, practical ways to ensure your gardening work doesn't need to be a pain! 👩🌾
- Take regular breaks 😴
- Lift heavy objects/loads with your legs 🦵
- Avoid bending over for extended periods 🙅♀️
- Kneel on a soft pad, or sit on a small stool during longer tasks 🧎
Happy gardening!
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The Pest Man is operating at all Covid 19 Levels. Don't be stuck in your home with unwanted pests. We can help Free Your Home - Calm Your Mind.
Supermarkets in NZ have never had it so good. They are certainly raking in the money during Level 3 and 4 as people are forced into cooking meals.
I live where four supermarkets are within a somewhat fit person's walking distance.
Never have I seen such an overall raked-up price hike on … View moreSupermarkets in NZ have never had it so good. They are certainly raking in the money during Level 3 and 4 as people are forced into cooking meals.
I live where four supermarkets are within a somewhat fit person's walking distance.
Never have I seen such an overall raked-up price hike on vegetables, fruit and meat as in the last several days. It is like pre-Christmas Day times, only worse.
It is as if Covid 19 is also killing and strangulating the agricultural and horticultural sectors.
Upper Hutt has lost a sporting great with the death of Harry Kent.
Kent, who lived all his life in Upper Hutt, was a pioneering cyclist who was crowned New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 1970.
Sports historian Ron Palenski remembers Kent as a sporting great who deserved to be much more widely … View moreUpper Hutt has lost a sporting great with the death of Harry Kent.
Kent, who lived all his life in Upper Hutt, was a pioneering cyclist who was crowned New Zealand Sportsman of the Year in 1970.
Sports historian Ron Palenski remembers Kent as a sporting great who deserved to be much more widely recognised, saying the impact Kent’s success had on cycling cannot overstated.
“New Zealand cycling has been forever in Kent’s debt,” Palenski said.
Do you have any memories of Kent?
This is not a drill, Wellington 📣 there are less than 48 hours until nominations close for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
This is your LAST CHANCE to nominate a good sort making a positive impact - whether they’re an artist you admire, a coach going the extra mile, or an … View moreThis is not a drill, Wellington 📣 there are less than 48 hours until nominations close for the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.
This is your LAST CHANCE to nominate a good sort making a positive impact - whether they’re an artist you admire, a coach going the extra mile, or an essential worker making a difference - it’s up to you to get their name in the ring! Nominations close midnight 31 August.
What are you waiting for? Head over the nzawards.org.nz/nominate now!
Dear neighbours,
We're looking for lockdown gardening ideas! With New Zealanders stuck at home everyone is keen to get into their gardens, but they can't get to the shops to buy plants and seeds. So we want to hear from you some suggestions for crops you can start or sow from what you … View moreDear neighbours,
We're looking for lockdown gardening ideas! With New Zealanders stuck at home everyone is keen to get into their gardens, but they can't get to the shops to buy plants and seeds. So we want to hear from you some suggestions for crops you can start or sow from what you have on hand or useful gardening hacks using just what you have at home already without going to the shops.
It doesn't have to be a big idea - just something like growing spring onions from the base or sprouting avocado seeds to make a houseplant. Send your tips and ideas to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz and we'll publish the best ideas in NZ Gardener.
Make sure you include your full name and address - only your name and the region you live in will be published but if we use your tip we will send you a free copy of the magazine.
Hi Everyone
Welcome to the upcoming 2021-22 season. New players are very welcome to join us. You don't need to have played before to enjoy the game. Regos are happening now. See the link below to access our registration forms on Sporty and register for this season This year we intend to have … View moreHi Everyone
Welcome to the upcoming 2021-22 season. New players are very welcome to join us. You don't need to have played before to enjoy the game. Regos are happening now. See the link below to access our registration forms on Sporty and register for this season This year we intend to have teams playing in all grades from U5 to Prem 2. Any queries don't hesitate to contact our Club Secretary Lynley at sec.tpsc@gmail.com.
www.sporty.co.nz...
www.facebook.com...
Looking forward to seeing you all around the diamonds soon
Dear neighbours,
Here's our list of the best new-release varieties of edible plants to grow this season.
Upper Hutt is now the most expensive place in the Wellington region to rent a house, surpassing the capital city and even the median rent across Auckland.
Can people still afford to rent in Upper Hutt?
Photographer Louise Thomas made a visit to Bushy Park, prior to lockdown. Now that we are all at home, please feel free to post a picture of the birds you have in your garden.
"Bush robins/toutouwai (Petroica longipes) have an open heart, they roam tramping tracks without fear because it … View morePhotographer Louise Thomas made a visit to Bushy Park, prior to lockdown. Now that we are all at home, please feel free to post a picture of the birds you have in your garden.
"Bush robins/toutouwai (Petroica longipes) have an open heart, they roam tramping tracks without fear because it doesn’t occur to them to be afraid. They have no armour on their personalities. If they were humans they would help you change your tyre and laugh about the experience.
They will stand on your shoes if you sit too long. And rummage inquiringly while you unpack your pack. I read once that the open-hearted will inherit the Earth. I hope it’s true – that it is better to be possibly hurt than hardened. But the open-hearted are often preyed upon by the ambitious. It might be why the robin is at risk and declining – he’s just a little too trusting of those that would eat him. Bushy Park, July 2021."
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