553 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Reporter Community News

This week an image from Rosa Marie.

"After what seems an eternity since I last went bird spotting, I managed to get myself out to Silverstream 2 afternoons in a row! I can't believe how many kingfishers are around but most of the time, they have been too far away on the powerlines to get decent photos of but it was a bonus today seeing one on a post in the driving range car park!
I have also spent some time watching the pesky blackbirds and waxeyes munch their way through the grapes on the grapevine."

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More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.2% Yes
    82.2% Complete
  • 15.1% No
    15.1% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I'll share below
    2.7% Complete
2351 votes
39 minutes ago

Age Concern Christmas Social Hubs for the Hutt Valley

Steph Deegan from Age Concern Wellington Region

Meri Kirihimete - Merry Christmas

Come and join our fun Christmas Hubs:

Upper Hutt - Te Kupenga o Rongomai - Maidstone Sports Centre, Wednesday 11th Dec at 12pm featuring the Hutt Ukulele Orchestra.

Lower Hutt - Walter Nash Centre, Thursday 12 December 1:30pm

2 hours ago

Kapiti Coast Distilled: A Family and Friends' Foraged Gin

Jocelyn from Waikanae

In an exciting development for local spirits enthusiasts, Elsewhere Gin has released a limited edition Kapiti expression that truly captures the essence of our coastal region.

This unique gin, priced at $95 per bottle, is the result of a heartwarming collaboration between Elsewhere Gin and Mark Rose's parents and their friends in Kapiti who embarked on a community foraging adventure, handpicking an array of native botanicals including kohekohe, kauri tips, strawberry guava, horopito, and kawakawa. These locally sourced ingredients were combined with classic gin botanicals, lemon, and rosemary to create a spirit that is both familiar and distinctly Kapiti.

The gin offers a sensory journey through our coastal landscape. It opens with subtle vanilla notes from the kohekohe, followed by the sweetness of strawberry guava. The addition of horopito lends a peppery kick, while kawakawa adds a unique herbal complexity. The finish showcases the zesty lemon and aromatic rosemary that grow abundantly in our region.

"This gin is a love letter to Kapiti," says Rose. "It's not just my creation, but a true community effort. Every sip tells a story of our unique ecosystem, our shared knowledge, and the incredible flavors we have right here in our backyard."

With only a small batch produced, this Kapiti gin is expected to sell out quickly. It's more than just a drink; it's a bottled experience of our local terroir and community spirit, perfect for those who appreciate the finer aspects of craft spirits and the beauty of our coastal home.

Available exclusively through Elsewhere Gin, please contact Michael Anderson for this limited edition gin that offers a rare opportunity to taste the Kapiti coast - and its community - in a glass.

Michael Anderson
021 620 065
Email; michael.anderson@xtra.co.nz

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