Totara Park, Upper Hutt

DIY right first time #resenetip

DIY right first time #resenetip

Need to brush up your DIY skills? Check out the free MasterStroke by Resene DIY Decorating Manual for everything you need to get started.

2911 days ago

Will you be a lucky shopper? Time to have fun shopping and partying in Upper Hutt.

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

Join Santa after the Upper Hutt Christmas Parade on Sunday for a Merry Movie Christmas at Expressions Whirinaki.

This year the Professionals Recreation Hall will be transformed into a movie-inspired world filled with Christmas movies, Disney characters and loads of Christmas cheer.

Visitors … View more
Join Santa after the Upper Hutt Christmas Parade on Sunday for a Merry Movie Christmas at Expressions Whirinaki.

This year the Professionals Recreation Hall will be transformed into a movie-inspired world filled with Christmas movies, Disney characters and loads of Christmas cheer.

Visitors will be able to dress up and have their photo taken with Santa holding an Oscar, have their face painted as their favourite movie character, make some Christmas crafts and soak up the sights and sounds of the season with music and other treats.

Some of the acts include Enchanted Entertainment, who bring Disney characters to life for events so Ariel, Tinkerbell, Jake the Pirate and Elsa will be performing for the children.

The Hollywoods will perform classic Christmas carols aimed at family audiences and Soul City Church will be there doing face painting.

As part of the movie theme, old fashioned Christmas movies will be playing with free popcorn available. The whole area will be transformed with large Christmas trees into an Hollywood Christmas scene with lots of hands on activities and things to make and do.

The main attraction will be the photo with Santa, with dress-ups provided and by partnering with the Amazing Travelling Photo Booth visitors will be able to have their photo taken and then take it home with them.

Expressions director Leanne Wickham said the annual celebration was funded by Upper Hutt City Council and Pelrous Trust.

"This way the people of Upper Hutt can celebrate Christmas together after the parade, for free, in a fun and family friendly environment, making a day of it."

Residents can also have fun shopping as Upper Hutt's Lucky Christmas Shopper prize pool is back and even bigger. than ever this year.

The prize pool includes a 32" Panasonic TV, a four-person, two-room tent, beauty and hair products, fishing gear, a gingerbread house, books, art works; gift baskets, and loads of gift vouchers.

"Previous years' winners have been absolutely delighted with the selection of goods and vouchers they have won right before Christmas," council retail coordinator Sarah Garnham said. "Some winners gift their winnings to family and friends, while others head into town for a shopping spree."

Shoppers who spend $10 or more in a participating store can receive an entry form. Four lucky shoppers will be drawn on December 21, and will each receive a share of the $10,000 prize pool.

* Lucky Shopper terms and conditions, along with a list of participating stores, can be found online

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2912 days ago

Bricks

Matthew from Totara Park

Have a bunch of bricks that are free for pick up if anyone is interested, will have pavers after the weekend also

Free

2911 days ago

Got an active Kiwi kid? Share a photo and WIN football prize packs.

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kiwi kids thrive on playing outdoors. Whether it's climbing trees, kicking a ball or building a hut, getting outside and exploring our backyards is part of who we are. So we've partnered with our friends at McDonald's to celebrate this New Zealand rite of passage. All you have to do … View moreKiwi kids thrive on playing outdoors. Whether it's climbing trees, kicking a ball or building a hut, getting outside and exploring our backyards is part of who we are. So we've partnered with our friends at McDonald's to celebrate this New Zealand rite of passage. All you have to do is share a photo below of the smallest members of your family outdoors with their football and you could win one of 60 football and bottle prize packs.

Please note: any photos shared below may star on Stuff.co.nz next week! Your football loving Kiwi kid could be famous!

Post your photo below to enter the draw.

T&Cs apply.

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2911 days ago

Basic supplies

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

Do you have your basic supplies ready if you are stuck at home or have to leave in a hurry? Make a plan today to work out what you need, who can help you and who might need your help.
www.happens.nz...

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2912 days ago

Give Local at SuperValue

SuperValue New Zealand

We love to give back to our local communities! Give Local is a campaign which offers kind-spirited customers, like you, to easily donate non-perishable food items and health products to local charities who find Christmas a tough time of year.

Show your support and tell your neighbours, friends … View more
We love to give back to our local communities! Give Local is a campaign which offers kind-spirited customers, like you, to easily donate non-perishable food items and health products to local charities who find Christmas a tough time of year.

Show your support and tell your neighbours, friends and family to look out for specially-marked Give Local trolleys in all SuperValue stores throughout New Zealand.

You have until New Years’ Day to drop-off your contributions. We look forward to seeing you in-store!
Learn more

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2912 days ago

Christmas lunch

Sharon from Totara Park

Does anyone know of any cafes or restraunts in Otaki or neighbouring area providing Christmas lunch menues closer to Christmas?

K
2917 days ago

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Kumudini from Birchville

Hi, desperately seeking the above book. Happy to buy. Please contact me on maya@xtra.co.nz
Thanks

2916 days ago

Friday Night get-together

Conor from Brown Owl

TOMORROW: "Drop in Friday Nights" at Rimutaka Baptist
For a time of relaxing, arts & crafts, games, and a soup & bun supper. All are welcome! :D
Starting at 7pm, we hope to see you there!
Rimutaka Baptist, corner of Akatarawa Road & SH2, ph 04526 8708

2915 days ago

White Ribbon Family Fun Day, Lane Park, 26th November, 11:30am-3:30pm

Ron from Wallaceville - Whitemans Valley

White Ribbon Family Fun Day, 26th November, 11:30-3:30PM, Lane Park, 22 Lane Street, Upper Hutt.
Bouncy castles, big soap bubble man, magician, fire brigade and loads of organised games all free for the kids.Come and picnic on the lawn, lots of space to chill out and take in the concert while you … View more
White Ribbon Family Fun Day, 26th November, 11:30-3:30PM, Lane Park, 22 Lane Street, Upper Hutt.
Bouncy castles, big soap bubble man, magician, fire brigade and loads of organised games all free for the kids.Come and picnic on the lawn, lots of space to chill out and take in the concert while you enjoy your goodies from home or bought food from from the several food trucks on site.
We have got a park-like area for the fine day or a great indoor venue if we need to go indoors, see you there.

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2916 days ago

Make sure you're prepared...

EQC

No one knows when or where earthquakes will occur, but everyone can be prepared.

The simplest thing you can do to keep your family safe in a quake is to secure objects and furniture. This reduces the chance they will fall over causing injury or damage.

Click here to see how easy it is to … View more
No one knows when or where earthquakes will occur, but everyone can be prepared.

The simplest thing you can do to keep your family safe in a quake is to secure objects and furniture. This reduces the chance they will fall over causing injury or damage.

Click here to see how easy it is to make your home safer in an earthquake.
Learn more

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2916 days ago

Christmas lights are so passé - it's all about the letterbox this year. And a chance to win great prizes

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

Untangle the tinsel and head down the drive - The Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox competition has begun.


This Christmas, Mike Pero Real Estate (MPRE) and Neighbourly.co.nz are encouraging Kiwis to get into the festive spirit by decorating their letterboxes and spreading a little joy through … View more
Untangle the tinsel and head down the drive - The Mike Pero Christmas Letterbox competition has begun.


This Christmas, Mike Pero Real Estate (MPRE) and Neighbourly.co.nz are encouraging Kiwis to get into the festive spirit by decorating their letterboxes and spreading a little joy through their neighbourhoods.


Letterbox decorators can share photos of their Christmas creations on their Neighbourly noticeboards using the hashtag #christmasletterbox to be in with a chance to win prizes including Prezzy® cards and gift hampers.


MPRE’s CEO Mike Pero says the competition is a fun way for Kiwis to brighten up their neighbourhoods for Christmas - and to help Santa find his way.


“Our letterboxes are blank canvases just waiting for a clever makeover and what better time of year to transform them than at Christmas,” he says. “We’re excited about seeing colourful creations from across the country; letterboxes lit up like Christmas trees, scenes from the North Pole - maybe even Santa’s sleigh?”


Neighbourly co-founder Casey Eden says they’re hoping to see thousands of New Zealand streets lined with colourful Christmas letterboxes.


“This is a competition that’s really easy to get involved in plus it’s a great conversation starter with your neighbour too,” he says. “If you don’t have some tinsel lying around your house just pop down to your local The Warehouse or Christmas store and find something to light up your letterbox.”


Pero and Eden are looking forward to judging the entries together with their teams. They will select their favourite entries which will then become part of a national poll to decide the overall winners.


Entries for Mike Pero’s Christmas Letterbox competition will be open between 23 November and 11 December 2016. Find out more at www.neighbourly.co.nz...

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2916 days ago

Check out Upper Hutt City Council's great bumper stickers

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

Many Upper Hutt organisations are wearing their support of the White Ribbon message on their cars.

Upper Hutt City Council fleet cars are sporting a bumper sticker that says "Respect can stop violence towards women".

The council has collaborated with White Ribbon and Safe Hutt … View more
Many Upper Hutt organisations are wearing their support of the White Ribbon message on their cars.

Upper Hutt City Council fleet cars are sporting a bumper sticker that says "Respect can stop violence towards women".

The council has collaborated with White Ribbon and Safe Hutt Valley to produce 3000 of these stickers that prompt the viewer to visit the White Ribbon website.

It also encourages the public to take the White Ribbon pledge, which is "I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent violence towards women".
Council director of community services Mike Ryan said while the White Ribbon campaign was very visible throughout November, the reality was that violence towards women was a year-round issue.

"The bumper stickers are a great way for council to continually advocate that violence towards women is not OK, ever," he said.

Along with the bumper stickers, Upper Hutt residents can expect to see many other campaign prompts, including billboards, static displays, posters, and cloth white ribbons in prominent locations around the city.

Safe Hutt Valley Coordinator Lesley Davies said her organisation was proud to support the council's awareness campaign.

"It acts as a catalyst for members of the public to engage with White Ribbon, examine their own behaviour and attitudes about violence towards women, and understand what violence is and the harmful impact it has," she said.

The New Zealand Defence Force was getting behind the bumper stickers too and had decorated all the fleet cars at Trentham with a bumper sticker.

As they do every year, Trentham staff will also have a presence at the Upper Hutt White Ribbon Family Day on Saturday. The day will feature a free open-air concert, picnic facilities, free children's entertainment and the White Ribbon riders.

*The bumper stickers are available for free from Upper Hutt Central Library, Upper Hutt City Council reception, and H20 Xtream aquatic centre. Council has also engaged local community groups, businesses, sports clubs, government agencies and other groups to distribute the bumper stickers throughout Upper Hutt.

Residents who want to support or find out more about White Ribbon are invited to attend a community-led White Ribbon Family Fun Day at 12pm, November 26 at Lane Park, 16 – 22 Lane Street, Upper Hutt.

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2916 days ago

What a great effort from our community patrol

Sharron Pardoe Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

The Upper Hutt Community Patrol earned its name of the "extra eyes and ears of the police" recently after members helped locate the driver of a stolen vehicle.

During a usual Saturday night patrol checking schools and trouble spots, an policeman asked them to keep an eye out for a … View more
The Upper Hutt Community Patrol earned its name of the "extra eyes and ears of the police" recently after members helped locate the driver of a stolen vehicle.

During a usual Saturday night patrol checking schools and trouble spots, an policeman asked them to keep an eye out for a red Toyota Camry after police had to abandon a pursuit of the stolen vehicle.

They had the first three letters of the car's number plate and 45 minutes later found an abandoned car that fitted the description.

Patrol member Anthony Moen said they contacted police and linked it back to a person they had talked to earlier at the old CIT grounds who they had "not expected to be there at that time of night".
He had said he was from out of town and was looking for a petrol station or train station so we gave him directions and observed which way he went."

Police units, including a dog squad, started searching for the man and he was found at a nearby property.

Moen said the incident proved the value of the patrol. "iI we hadn't run into that person, the police wouldn't have had a lot of information to go on."

It was the first time the group had been able to give the police information "while it was still hot" and have it result in an arrest.

It was validating for them and rewarding for the police. "It shows our power."

He encouraged anyone who saw anything odd or suspicious to report it to the police.

Alan Cappleman, who is the sergeant in charge of community police in the Hutt Valley North, said the community patrol volunteers were certainly valued. "We can't underestimate the value of them."

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