Totara Park, Upper Hutt

1166 days ago

New Zealander or Aotearoan?

Michael from Trentham

So far 35,000 people have signed a petition to have NZ change its name to Aotearoa. It might be popular in some areas of NZ but I don't think the Hutt Valley would buy into it.
The National Party (or is that really just Judith Collins and a few others) are calling for a referendum on a name … View more
So far 35,000 people have signed a petition to have NZ change its name to Aotearoa. It might be popular in some areas of NZ but I don't think the Hutt Valley would buy into it.
The National Party (or is that really just Judith Collins and a few others) are calling for a referendum on a name change.
Let's say it happens. What would become of ANZAC Day? Would it become AAAC Day?
What would become of Australasian - would it become Austroan?
Would the letters ANZ become AA which might or might not be appropriate because AA has other meanings and not just Automobile Association.
There are those who say we should double our name to New Zealand-Aotearoa but that really takes up a page in a book and a sentence in a short speech. And would we still be called New Zealanders?
If we do shift to Aotearoa in all fairness we drop the colloquial term for a New Zealander: Kiwi (which is Maori) and replace it with an English name of Paradise Duck or just Paradiser for short. That would be terrific as most of us and the world believe we live in paradise. And those ducks are noisy and slightly bossy.
Another good thing in becoming Aotearoa, in the Olympic Games or Commonwealth Games opening ceremonies not only are we among the first to emerge into the stadium instead of waiting and waiting and waiting, but we are ahead of Australia alphabetically. Why not just take a wee small step and spell our new name Aaotearoa and we will be first at any Games -unless they do the dirty and start in reverse. Hello Zambia.

1154 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Reporter Community News

Who knows the history associated with this famous black cat?

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1153 days ago

Maidstone Community Sports Hub

Reporter Community News

Work is about to begin on the on the Maidstone Community Sports Hub.
Taranaki Whānui kaumatua, Kura Moeahu, recently blessed the site, and the contractors (Maycrofts) have begun preparing it for demolition.
Key components of the $32m project project are:
- It's the first stage of a three year… View more
Work is about to begin on the on the Maidstone Community Sports Hub.
Taranaki Whānui kaumatua, Kura Moeahu, recently blessed the site, and the contractors (Maycrofts) have begun preparing it for demolition.
Key components of the $32m project project are:
- It's the first stage of a three year project which involves a new community indoor training facility and shared clubrooms, as well as upgrades to multiple sporting facilities on the park.
- While work is underway, there is no public parking onsite, and pedestrian only access to the Heretaunga Boxing Club building, UH Rams RFC Gym, and the rugby turfs.
- Premier rugby in 2022 will still be played at Maidstone Park on the premium playing surfaces, and Portacom changing facilities will be provided.
- The wider components of the sports hub project (upgraded car park, petanque pistes, new tennis shelter, football dugouts, hockey shelters etc.) will be delivered in later stages.
- The project is being jointly funded by Upper Hutt City Council and the NZ Government, as part of the Infrastructure Reference Group programme.

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1154 days ago

Come work with us!

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

OPPORTUNITY 🙌🏼 Are you a change-maker in your community and looking to join an awesome social movement?

We might have the perfect role for you!

Neighbours Day Aotearoa (NDA) is looking for a community-minded people to activate the Neighbours Day kaupapa through their existing networks … View more
OPPORTUNITY 🙌🏼 Are you a change-maker in your community and looking to join an awesome social movement?

We might have the perfect role for you!

Neighbours Day Aotearoa (NDA) is looking for a community-minded people to activate the Neighbours Day kaupapa through their existing networks and connections. We are looking for 13 Neighbours Day Aotearoa Connectors to join the team and help us activate NDA across the motu.

What the role could involve?

- Meeting with a community local group and encouraging them to hold an event
- Visiting a local library to drop off posters
- Spreading the Neighbours Day Aotearoa message at your local Marae
- Chatting with people in the street and encouraging them to do something neighbourly
- Stopping by the community garden to let them know about the Neighbours Day theme for 2022

We have a dedicated team that will work alongside you and training is provided. www.neighboursday.org.nz...

1154 days ago

Tegel recalls patties due to undeclared allergen

Neighbourly.co.nz

Tegel has issued a recall for one of its products after gluten was detected in one of their gluten-free products.

In a statement, the Ministry for Primary Industries said that the recall only affected a specific batch of Gluten Free Classic Chicken Burgers and those with a gluten allergy or … View more
Tegel has issued a recall for one of its products after gluten was detected in one of their gluten-free products.

In a statement, the Ministry for Primary Industries said that the recall only affected a specific batch of Gluten Free Classic Chicken Burgers and those with a gluten allergy or intolerance should not consume the product.

Here's what you need to know:

- The batch marking on the affected product is 81242, with a AUG 2022 best before date.
- The product is sold across New Zealand at the following supermarkets
Countdown: North and South Island
SuperValue: North Island
FreshChoice: North and South Island
New World: Balclutha
Pak'n Save: Upper North Island
Four Square: Upper North Island

Consumers with any questions are advised to contact Tegel Foods Limited on 0800 24 42 536.

Find more information on this recall by visiting the New Zealand Food Safety Website.

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1160 days ago

Dragging The Vaccination Chain

Michael from Trentham

It seems that the Hutt Valley along with the rest of the Wellington region are dragging behind most of the rest of NZ with Covid vaccinations despite easy access to vaccination centres.

The target in NZ for those eligible to be vaccinated is in excess of 90% fully vaccinated by Xmas but the … View more
It seems that the Hutt Valley along with the rest of the Wellington region are dragging behind most of the rest of NZ with Covid vaccinations despite easy access to vaccination centres.

The target in NZ for those eligible to be vaccinated is in excess of 90% fully vaccinated by Xmas but the Wellington region is currently at 36.5% fully vaccinated and this compares with our nearest neighbours Wairarapa 45% and Nelson/Marlborough (Tasman) 47%.

We need to broach 90% NZ-wide to be in a position to open up to the world as a reference to the mingling of those vaccinated with other vaccinated people.

It seems that children aged 5-11 will soon be added to those needing to be vaccinated. Perhaps requiring only one innoculation instead of two.

It seems that at least those aged 65-plus and those health compromised will require another booster vaccination next year.

If more variants of Covid emerge it could mean annual vaccinations for all just like the annual influenza vaccinations.

Without doubt there will be restrictions on those not vaccinated and a covid vaccination passport and/or phone ap will be required for proof on vaccination for entry to places and events and travel.

1154 days ago

Reddy, Steady, Stop

Michael from Trentham

Gov Gen Dame Patsy Reddy has completed a 5 year term and is set to hand over to her successor.
Will Reddy be the second to last representative of British royalty in NZ?
The NZ GG gets to choose her own coat of arms and I note Reddy's version. Perhaps her successor, Dame Cindy Ciro will … View more
Gov Gen Dame Patsy Reddy has completed a 5 year term and is set to hand over to her successor.
Will Reddy be the second to last representative of British royalty in NZ?
The NZ GG gets to choose her own coat of arms and I note Reddy's version. Perhaps her successor, Dame Cindy Ciro will choose a couple of Pembroke Corgis to adorn her coat of arms instead of NZ native or resident birds which would both please me and Queen Elizabeth quite substantially.

1154 days ago

What does the maramataka say about when to sow and grow?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Hello neighbours and gardeners,

Dr Nick Roskruge, a professor of ethnobotany at Massey University’s School of Agriculture & Environment, explains what the maramataka says about kōanga (spring).

1155 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Eddie and Valarie

Reporter Community News

This week we feature two guinea pigs.

"We were bought to SPCA because our family could no longer care for us. We are now looking for a home together. Eddie and Valerie are sweet guinea pigs who love their food.
We are very sweet to watch, and are getting better at being handled, but we … View more
This week we feature two guinea pigs.

"We were bought to SPCA because our family could no longer care for us. We are now looking for a home together. Eddie and Valerie are sweet guinea pigs who love their food.
We are very sweet to watch, and are getting better at being handled, but we really don't like it, like most guinea pigs. We will need a large grassy area with a weatherproof hutch for day time. At night, we will need to be inside with you as part of your family so will need an area inside your home. It will need to be large enough for us to fit comfortably for the night, or for days when the weather is just too awful to be outside in. If that sounds like your set-up, please get in touch with our Small Animal Team for an appointment."

1155 days ago

Enjoy the good life

Assisted living makes life easier, with housekeeping taken care of and a chef-prepared meal every day. It’s great for you, and reassuring for your family, because they know you’re being looked after. Best of all, it frees up more time to do the things you love!
Apartments are in the heart of … View more
Assisted living makes life easier, with housekeeping taken care of and a chef-prepared meal every day. It’s great for you, and reassuring for your family, because they know you’re being looked after. Best of all, it frees up more time to do the things you love!
Apartments are in the heart of the village, with easy access to everything the village has to offer.
The feeling of togetherness is the icing on the cake for residents, this is enhanced by a variety of outings, regular transport options and opportunities to join in with activities when you feel like it.
Learn more

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1155 days ago

Waikato Management School Alumni share their stories

University of Waikato

Luke Pharaoh, Funding Manager for Virgin StartUp in London, is passionate about empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

"Waikato Management School instilled in me an insatiable curiosity and a way of challenging conventional thinking which remains with me today," he says.
View more
Luke Pharaoh, Funding Manager for Virgin StartUp in London, is passionate about empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

"Waikato Management School instilled in me an insatiable curiosity and a way of challenging conventional thinking which remains with me today," he says.

Watch his story and others here.
Find out more

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1155 days ago

Who Can Save National And The Centre Right?

Michael from Trentham

The latest NZ political polls is damaging for the centre right.
Judith Collins is doomed. The combined Nats and ACT "score" is behind Labour who also has the Maori Party and the left-leaning Greens to prop them up out of reach.
Incredibly the Nats need yet another new leader. Could the… View more
The latest NZ political polls is damaging for the centre right.
Judith Collins is doomed. The combined Nats and ACT "score" is behind Labour who also has the Maori Party and the left-leaning Greens to prop them up out of reach.
Incredibly the Nats need yet another new leader. Could the mantle fall to Wellingtonian, Nicola Willis?
A decision on a leadership change needs to happen within the next 5-6 months and I feel things will come to a head quite quickly.

1155 days ago

Sale

The Team from Red Cross Shop Upper Hutt

Winter 1/2 price sale,

1155 days ago

How about your own pre-planted portable organic vegetable bed?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

“Our portable bed provides a convenient and cost-effective way to access your own fresh produce within your own home,” says Charla Stretch, the CEO of Vitanic, the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) company set up by five students from Tokoroa High School.

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1156 days ago

Apprenticeship opportunity in Wellington

Competenz

Hi Wellington!
Living Room in Kaiwharawhara, Wellington are looking for a trainee upholsterer to join their busy team of craftspeople. Are you looking for a professional, supportive and fun team environment? Enjoy on-the-job training alongside a specialist team in a well-equipped workshop. Is this… View more
Hi Wellington!
Living Room in Kaiwharawhara, Wellington are looking for a trainee upholsterer to join their busy team of craftspeople. Are you looking for a professional, supportive and fun team environment? Enjoy on-the-job training alongside a specialist team in a well-equipped workshop. Is this the opportunity for you!?

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