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Joel Maxwell's description of Waikanae in this week’s Kapiti Observer is disturbing. Writing on the meeting at Whakarongotai, he paints a dismal picture of the town once voted as NZ's best. He describes the town centre around Mahara Place as "souless" with an "80's… View moreJoel Maxwell's description of Waikanae in this week’s Kapiti Observer is disturbing. Writing on the meeting at Whakarongotai, he paints a dismal picture of the town once voted as NZ's best. He describes the town centre around Mahara Place as "souless" with an "80's style shopping centre". According to him we are all somewhat vegetative, aged and National supporters. We never go out at night. I normally enjoy Maxwell's perceptive and edgy writing, but the negative tone of this one left a sour taste in the mouth.
I wondered if Maxwell had spent any time in Waikanae recently? Has he noticed, for example, the upgrade to Mahara Place and the outdoor dining areas, stage and new seating? Has he sat in the seats and observed the many social interchanges that occur between people moving through the space? Has he been to the Tuesday market? Has he stopped for a minute to admire the well -tended gardens and literally, smell the roses?
It’s true that on a chilly night you won’t find a lot of people out and about, but there are always a few, out walking, or walking their dogs and picking up last minute grocery items. Its one of the things I like about Waikanae, the number of people out on the street. It makes it a safer place to live. Hordes of us will be out during the day, walking the beach, the park, the lagoon and strolling the streets.
I would also like to assure Maxwell that the Labour party is alive and well in Waikanae and many of us also support the policies of the Green party. Recent Labour party activities such as the quiz night have been sold out significantly ahead of time. And if you think its solely the domain of white people, you should take a closer look at our Labour candidate, Terisa Ngobi, she is fantastic!!
Over the last decade, the demographic of Waikanae has changed considerably. No longer is it the sole domain of older people. With the electrification of the rail, there are many young families now living in the area. Nor is it a crime to be older. The retirees in the area are far from vegetative and spend many hours in community related organisations. It has social capital in spades. It’s another one of the things that make it such a great place to live. Many of the people now retired and living in Waikanae were at the top of their professional field. The collective expertise of this wee town is astounding. Underestimate us at your peril!!
These days Waikanae has a nice understated hum about it. If Maxwell can’t hear it, perhaps he has spent too much time lately in The Warehouse?
We provide companionship to people over 65 who would like a regular visit from a friendly volunteer. We aim to match people with volunteers who live in the same area and have similar interests. Clients enjoy the benefits of walking and being outside, seeing what is going on in their community. They… View moreWe provide companionship to people over 65 who would like a regular visit from a friendly volunteer. We aim to match people with volunteers who live in the same area and have similar interests. Clients enjoy the benefits of walking and being outside, seeing what is going on in their community. They also visit other places like the Botanical Gardens and parks close by with flat areas to walk.
Click www.youtube.com... below to watch a video of one of our clients enjoying a walk with her CWS companion in Wellington.
He already has a knighthood under his belt, a chart-topping single, two books, a forthcoming feature film and a special place in the nation’s affections as a result of his fundraising efforts for the NHS during the pandemic. Now the centenarian Capt Sir Tom Moore is to become the UK’s oldest … View moreHe already has a knighthood under his belt, a chart-topping single, two books, a forthcoming feature film and a special place in the nation’s affections as a result of his fundraising efforts for the NHS during the pandemic. Now the centenarian Capt Sir Tom Moore is to become the UK’s oldest podcaster!
Older people are often lonely – chat with them, urges Capt Tom Moore.
Check out the article www.theguardian.com...
If you would like to help to End Loneliness - email info@letsendloneliness.co.nz to get a promotional pack of stickers, bookmarks and brochures to share in your community.
Greater Wellington has monitored kererū in the Kaitoke Regional Park for the last 17 years and the results are looking good. The number of kererū is soaring to an average of 107 birds, compared to an average of 71 last year.
The monitoring is separate from The Great Kererū Count which is a … View moreGreater Wellington has monitored kererū in the Kaitoke Regional Park for the last 17 years and the results are looking good. The number of kererū is soaring to an average of 107 birds, compared to an average of 71 last year.
The monitoring is separate from The Great Kererū Count which is a nationwide citizen science project run by Urban Wildlife Trust & Kererū Discovery.
Despite kererū’s rising numbers, they are still under threat by mustelids and rodents – especially now that it is breeding season.
2020 has seen the world experience a pandemic in unison.
NZ took swift action and went into lockdown before most major countries. The unprecedented lockdown saw a rise in the need of senior support in communities throughout the country.
Without the help of volunteers, we would not have been … View more2020 has seen the world experience a pandemic in unison.
NZ took swift action and went into lockdown before most major countries. The unprecedented lockdown saw a rise in the need of senior support in communities throughout the country.
Without the help of volunteers, we would not have been able to achieve the level of support that we have. THANK YOU NEW ZEALAND!!
We are excited to present the online copy of Homed for the 10th of October, available in today's Dominion Post Publication. In this edition we feature the beautiful property at 23 Rangihiroa Street, Waikanae, listed by Della Randall and the team at Della Realty. We hope you enjoy this new … View moreWe are excited to present the online copy of Homed for the 10th of October, available in today's Dominion Post Publication. In this edition we feature the beautiful property at 23 Rangihiroa Street, Waikanae, listed by Della Randall and the team at Della Realty. We hope you enjoy this new and improved compact version of Wellington's property section.
90,000kms
CC 1372
Three NZ owners.
Well cared for and regularly serviced. Reg. 18.2.21. Wof. 18.9.21
Viewings in Waikanae and questions welcome. Please contact Catherine 0276130446.
Stepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.
Our Junior students learn new skills, develop … View moreStepping into QMC Junior School marks the start of a learning adventure that equips students for their future. QMC is an IB World School, and proud to offer unparalleled excellence in research-based teaching, learning and wellbeing programmes.
Our Junior students learn new skills, develop confidence, aim for excellence, take risks, challenge and explore the world around them.
Every child enjoys access to a wide range of exhilarating cultural and sporting opportunities in a progressive, cosmopolitan, safe environment. We value diversity, and inclusivity – and are the school of choice for families from 54 countries worldwide.
Join us for Open Day, Years 4-6 to find out more and discover the difference a QM education will make to your child’s future.
Discover Years 4,5 and 6
Junior School Open Day
Wednesday 28 October
• 9am - 10.20am
• 5pm - 6.20pm
Places are limited. Book to avoid disappointment.
Assistance dog Bindi has made the world of difference to Wellington-based author Helen Fletcher, who suffers from multiple auto-immune disorders.
From picking up her keys and carrying her cane, to leading her to a chair when her vision blacks out and helping her up when she falls, the golden … View moreAssistance dog Bindi has made the world of difference to Wellington-based author Helen Fletcher, who suffers from multiple auto-immune disorders.
From picking up her keys and carrying her cane, to leading her to a chair when her vision blacks out and helping her up when she falls, the golden labrador is worth her weight in, well, gold.
Before she had Bindi to sleep heavily on her legs at night, she would get up and move around the house in response to hallucinations she’d suffered since she was a child.
During the Covid-19 lockdown earlier in the year, when Helen spent 12 weeks at home alone because immune-compromised, Bindi rescued Helen from a fall.
Hey Neighbourly folk, I am adding a new feature to Neighbourly every Friday. There are some amazing bird photographers in the region and I will be highlighting their best pictures.
This week's picture features my favourtite bird, the beautiful karearea (NZ Falcon). Simon Wooolf took the … View moreHey Neighbourly folk, I am adding a new feature to Neighbourly every Friday. There are some amazing bird photographers in the region and I will be highlighting their best pictures.
This week's picture features my favourtite bird, the beautiful karearea (NZ Falcon). Simon Wooolf took the picture at Wrights Hill, Karori, and wrote an interesting account of the observation.
It settled itself down on a wooden structure, preened itself, and then dosed off! Then the action started.
Three, or four Welcome Swallows decided to dive bomb the Falcon! Now in flight, and in dive mode, Falcon's are the worlds fastest birds. This bird was obviously stationary. Swallows and Swifts feature in the Top Ten Fastest Birds too. The Karearea is a threatened species in NZ. Predators are man, and while breeding cats, ferrets etc, and believe it or not hedgehogs! I have never seen other bird species attack a karearea!
Normally our falcons are fearless. I have had them land a metre away from me. If threatened, and especially in breeding season they are not just fearless, but are brave, and ruthless. Even we humans will depart the scene rapidly if attacked!
Incidentally once awake the karearea took the aerial attacks in its stride and was pretty non-plussed!
I'm pretty rapt with the series of shots I gained, as the swallows were attacking at over 150kph. There was contact made on a couple of occasions, however I wasn't quick enough to catch that part of the action, even with my camera set a1/4000 sec and with my trusty Sigma 150 - 600 lens.
If you get the opportunity to observe these wonderful Taonga of our New Bush, do so. I have never been disappointed!
Simon Woolf.
Hi Folks
I have an elderly friend with an organ he no longer uses and wishes it to find a new home.
You can call me on 027 2891422
Thanks
Ralph
One of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered birds has been successfully bred at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton.
Orange-fronted parakeets (kākāriki karaka) were declared extinct twice in 1919 and 1965. Today their wild population number is just 100-300 individuals.
… View moreOne of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered birds has been successfully bred at the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, near Masterton.
Orange-fronted parakeets (kākāriki karaka) were declared extinct twice in 1919 and 1965. Today their wild population number is just 100-300 individuals.
Successful hand-rearing of orange-fronted parakeets is considered extremely unlikely but Pūkaha had very little choice. The five chicks hatched in early August from one of the centre’s two breeding pairs, a male called Karaka and a female called Pōra. Not wanting to disturb the nest, it wasn’t until two weeks of age that rangers noticed that the feathers on the chicks were not developing. A closer inspection revealed that the chicks were bald and that their feathers had been plucked by their parents. Immediate intervention was required because the chicks were at imminent danger of dying from the cold. The only option for the parakeets’ survival was an attempt at hand-rearing.
The young chicks were immediately placed in brooders with heat lamps and fed a diet of parrot rearing formula. It took about three weeks for the chicks to get their feathers. Some six weeks later, all five chicks are fully grown, flying, and eating by themselves.
Good day,
This beautiful dog rocked up at my door without a collar and name. Please call me to come and pick him up. Or I will have to take him to the pound later today.
My number is 02102641109
Thanks André
Handmade baskets hold a certain charm – see how easy it is to create your own with this no sew DIY version perfect for your pet. Brighten it up with a few favourite Resene testpot colours.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how you can … View moreHandmade baskets hold a certain charm – see how easy it is to create your own with this no sew DIY version perfect for your pet. Brighten it up with a few favourite Resene testpot colours.
Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how you can create your own.
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