Metropolitan Wellington to ease sprinkler ban, watering restrictions remain
From Friday 9 February, the ban on using garden sprinklers in Wellington, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt and Porirua will be lifted. Garden watering restrictions will still be in effect.
The four cities have been under a sprinkler ban that was introduced at the end of a particularly dry November.
Thanks to the response from the community, and in spite of a record hot January, the region’s storage lakes are now in good shape to last for the remainder of summer.
This means restrictions can now be eased to allow for the limited use of garden sprinklers and irrigation systems.
This is a good position to be in, but it’s important that people keep being responsible with water usage.
Sprinklers are actually a relatively wasteful way to water plants, and their use is limited by the garden watering restrictions still in place.
These allow the use of a single sprinkler or irrigation system, between the hours of 6-8 am and 7-9pm only on alternate days according to your house number.
Sprinkler use permitted at:
- odd-numbered houses on odd dates (1st, 3rd, 15th etc)
- even-numbered houses on even dates (2nd, 4th, 18th etc)
only between the hours of 6-8am and 7-9pm.
This restriction level will remain in place until further notice, or the end of Daylight Savings (1 April 2018) – except in Upper Hutt, where this restriction remains in place all year round.
We’d also like to remind people that the easing of restrictions is a good time to check and refill any emergency water storage containers, or to install an emergency tank if you don’t have one yet.
Tips for good watering practice:
- Use a trigger or wand to ensure water goes only where it’s needed
- Concentrate watering on the roots of plants not the leaves
- Use mulch to keep moisture in and weeds out
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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58.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
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26.1% No, individuals should take responsibility
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15% ... It is complicated
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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