We Say/You Say: Outdoor spaces
Hi Kāpiti,
What would you like to see in your local council's outdoor space policy?
More concerts, festivals and markets are on the cards for Wellington City if a new plan is approved by council.
The council is reviewing its policies for trading and events in public spaces, making some areas more accessible while placing heavier regulations in others.
26 parks, reserves and carparks are being explored to allow commercial trading, street vendors, tourist activities and recreational equipment to operate.
Commercial activities that might degrade public land, like commercial tours and fitness classes may be charged a licensing fee to cover administration, repairs and maintenance.
A limit on dog walkers and a reduction of footpath signage would be a part of the council's plan to scrap two pieces of existing policy.
Would you support the changes if your local council implemented them? Let us know in the comments below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments featured in the Kāpiti Observer.
Some Choice News!
DOC is rolling out a new tool to help figure out what to tackle first when it comes to protecting our threatened species and the things putting them at risk.
Why does this matter? As Nikki Macdonald from The Post points out, we’re a country with around 4,400 threatened species. With limited time and funding, conservation has always meant making tough calls about what gets attention first.
For the first time, DOC has put real numbers around what it would take to do everything needed to properly safeguard our unique natural environment. The new BioInvest tool shows the scale of the challenge: 310,177 actions across 28,007 sites.
Now that we can see the full picture, it brings the big question into focus: how much do we, as Kiwis, truly value protecting nature — and what are we prepared to invest to make it happen?
We hope this brings a smile!
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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.
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