Houghton Bay, Wellington

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Introduce yourself, neighbour!

Head to our Know Thy Neighbour page.

1491 days ago

Foul odour in Island Bay

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Island Bay residents have had to endure months of a stench as the council fixes damaged sewage pipes.
Concrete pipes carrying sewage were damaged when pipes carrying sludge burst last year.
Wellington Water says the work should be finished by November.
Local residents say the smell is overpowering … View more
Island Bay residents have had to endure months of a stench as the council fixes damaged sewage pipes.
Concrete pipes carrying sewage were damaged when pipes carrying sludge burst last year.
Wellington Water says the work should be finished by November.
Local residents say the smell is overpowering and they are looking forward to the work finishing.

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1490 days ago

High demand for two-bedroom Island Bay property

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

The hottest property on Trade Me last month was a modest two-bedroom house listed for $490,000 in the Wellington suburb of Island Bay.
In another sign of the capital’s surging housing market, the house was watchlisted 660 times in its first two days on the site.
The tender for the house was due … View more
The hottest property on Trade Me last month was a modest two-bedroom house listed for $490,000 in the Wellington suburb of Island Bay.
In another sign of the capital’s surging housing market, the house was watchlisted 660 times in its first two days on the site.
The tender for the house was due to close in late October.

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1490 days ago

Wairarapa has all the good oil

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wairarapa Olive Oil makers have dominated the annual NZ Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards, winning four of five major awards.
Some 128 oils were judged much like wine or beer; poured into glasses – blue, to prevent bias based on colour – sipped, and scored by six judges during lockdown.
Judging … View more
Wairarapa Olive Oil makers have dominated the annual NZ Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards, winning four of five major awards.
Some 128 oils were judged much like wine or beer; poured into glasses – blue, to prevent bias based on colour – sipped, and scored by six judges during lockdown.
Judging took place remotely due to Covid-19. Judges were sent tiny bottles of each oil, which they warmed on an electric heat pad to 34 degrees Celsius, and then sipped, sucking air through their teeth to enhance the flavour.
Best in Show went to Olive Black Extra Virgin Olive Oil, an intense blend with green grass, pine, and floral notes.

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1490 days ago

What would you do with an air traffic control tower?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Known to Airways New Zealand staff as “The Grand Old Lady of Wellington”, and to its neighbours as “Arnold”, Wellington's historic traffic control tower is for sale.
Not surprisingly, Tommy’s Real Estate agents Billy Bell and Jess Platt describe it as the most unique property they … View more
Known to Airways New Zealand staff as “The Grand Old Lady of Wellington”, and to its neighbours as “Arnold”, Wellington's historic traffic control tower is for sale.
Not surprisingly, Tommy’s Real Estate agents Billy Bell and Jess Platt describe it as the most unique property they have listed.
“We’ve had unusual looking houses, but never anything quite like this so it’s exciting to be involved.”
Be warned, however, it needs earthquake strengthening and only has one loo.
It is believed to be the only control tower in the world with a residential address and its own letterbox.
Wouldn't it make a great house?

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1491 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Hey Neighbourly folk, here is an easy one from our archives.
Who knows the story behind this famous image and the colourful character behind it.

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1493 days ago

From Russia to Petone, rare visitor spotted on beach

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Photographer Simon Woolf got a huge surprise when he was photographing birds on Petone beach over the weekend.
He spotted three birds he had never previously seen and posted on Facebook hoping someone would help identify them.
He was surprised to find that he had seen the Lesser knot (sometimes … View more
Photographer Simon Woolf got a huge surprise when he was photographing birds on Petone beach over the weekend.
He spotted three birds he had never previously seen and posted on Facebook hoping someone would help identify them.
He was surprised to find that he had seen the Lesser knot (sometimes called the Red knot).
According to birdsonline it is a regular visitor from Russia. There are about 120,000 that winter over in Australia or New Zealand but Woolf said he had never seen one before in Wellington.
What is the rarest bird you have spotted?

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1491 days ago

Wellington Food Story Speaker Series

Steve from Island Bay

Hi everyone. If you're not able to make it to Te Papa during the Visa Wellington on a Plate festival for their free Wellington Food Story Speaker Series, the talks are available on our honeycombe podcast. Last week, Liz Mellish NMZM (Te Ātiawa) spoke about the importance of food in … View moreHi everyone. If you're not able to make it to Te Papa during the Visa Wellington on a Plate festival for their free Wellington Food Story Speaker Series, the talks are available on our honeycombe podcast. Last week, Liz Mellish NMZM (Te Ātiawa) spoke about the importance of food in Wellington's history from the perspective of Tangata Whenua and the episode is available now. Just search for the honeycombe podcast on your podcast listening app!

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1491 days ago

Election 2020: Rongotai voting booth locations

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate through Neighbourly. Here’s everything you need to know about where to vote.
The election date has been set and the campaign trail is back up and running.
At the upcoming election … View more
In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate through Neighbourly. Here’s everything you need to know about where to vote.
The election date has been set and the campaign trail is back up and running.
At the upcoming election on October 17, enrolled voters will have a few boxes to tick.
There are two referenda on the cards, as well as the regular party and candidate selections.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’re voting for and where you can vote.

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1491 days ago

Election 2020: Who are the candidates for the Rongotai electorate?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate, through Neighbourly. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates in the running to be Rongotai MP.
At the October 17 election, New Zealanders will have the opportunity to … View more
In the lead up to the 2020 election, Stuff is keeping voters up to date with what’s happening in their electorate, through Neighbourly. Here’s what you need to know about the candidates in the running to be Rongotai MP.
At the October 17 election, New Zealanders will have the opportunity to choose their regional spokesperson.
Through the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, those enrolled can vote for the party they want as well as a local representative.
Why does my MP matter?
The person elected will be the voice for your region in Parliament. If you're having trouble getting entitlements or dealing with Government departments, they can help. If your community needs funding for certain projects or activities, or there isn't enough healthcare in the area, the elected MP can step in and help.
To be elected, the candidate needs to secure the most votes.

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1491 days ago

Recap: Get answers to your DIY and decorating dilemmas

Jo Haywood Reporter from Homed

Hey neighbours, thanks to everyone who joined us for our live chat with Resene’s colour consultant Brenda Ngatai and tech expert Jay Sharples.

The questions were coming thick and fast, and Jay and Brenda very kindly stayed later than planned to get through as many as they could, but we're … View more
Hey neighbours, thanks to everyone who joined us for our live chat with Resene’s colour consultant Brenda Ngatai and tech expert Jay Sharples.

The questions were coming thick and fast, and Jay and Brenda very kindly stayed later than planned to get through as many as they could, but we're sorry if we didn't get to yours. If you submitted a question and missed the chat, checkout the recap, here.

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1493 days ago

Are Wellington houses unaffordable?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A rotting, near-derelict two-bedroom cottage that can’t be pulled down sells for $700,000.
The price for an entry level house often starts at $1 million, and queues extend down streets for the many young wannabes viewing the few properties on the market.
The Wellington City Council wants a more … View more
A rotting, near-derelict two-bedroom cottage that can’t be pulled down sells for $700,000.
The price for an entry level house often starts at $1 million, and queues extend down streets for the many young wannabes viewing the few properties on the market.
The Wellington City Council wants a more livable city, but many can’t afford to live and work in it, while others think proposed changes will remove what makes it so liveable in the first place.
The Wellington City Council has a Draft Spatial Plan that could radically change the city.
That includes more medium to high-density buildings in the CBD, particularly focused around prominent transport routes and hubs.
Many large character homes could be bulldozed to allow for high density apartments and multi-storey buildings.

Tell us what you think. If you do not want your comments used for publication played puts NFP (Not For Publication).

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1493 days ago

Dumping bread has to stop

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

So much bread, and none of it doing any good! A reminder yet again that dumping bread gives predators a free meal.
It is happening regularly in the Miramar area and Greater Wellington wants to know who it is doing.
Food left like this helps rats thrive, which undermines all the hard work Predator… View more
So much bread, and none of it doing any good! A reminder yet again that dumping bread gives predators a free meal.
It is happening regularly in the Miramar area and Greater Wellington wants to know who it is doing.
Food left like this helps rats thrive, which undermines all the hard work Predator Free Wellington and other pest elimination groups around our region are doing.

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1492 days ago

Poll: What's your favourite car brand?

The Team from Gazley

At Gazley, we're created with the passion of its founders and the high expectations of the world-famous brands we represent, Gazley follow a strong brand ethos that has a customer-centric approach offering a unique experience for each of our clients ensuring that their vehicle needs are met … View moreAt Gazley, we're created with the passion of its founders and the high expectations of the world-famous brands we represent, Gazley follow a strong brand ethos that has a customer-centric approach offering a unique experience for each of our clients ensuring that their vehicle needs are met and their service expectations exceeded.

Let us know what is your favourite car brand down below.
Visit us online

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What's your favourite car brand?
  • 17.6% Volkswagen
    17.6% Complete
  • 23.2% Nissan
    23.2% Complete
  • 4.6% ŠKODA
    4.6% Complete
  • 9.2% Jeep
    9.2% Complete
  • 6.2% Alfa Romeo
    6.2% Complete
  • 16.7% Mitsubishi
    16.7% Complete
  • 19.6% Mercedes-Benz
    19.6% Complete
  • 2.9% RAM
    2.9% Complete
306 votes
1493 days ago

Poll: Name your favourite regional restaurant

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

What is your favourite Wellington restaurant?
The finalists have been announced in the Wellington Hospitality Awards and there are 24 categories to vote on. The four regional finalists are
50-50 (Paraparaumu Beach), Long Beach Cafe and Tavern (Waikanae Beach), Seashore Cabaret (Petone) and The … View more
What is your favourite Wellington restaurant?
The finalists have been announced in the Wellington Hospitality Awards and there are 24 categories to vote on. The four regional finalists are
50-50 (Paraparaumu Beach), Long Beach Cafe and Tavern (Waikanae Beach), Seashore Cabaret (Petone) and The Botanist Lyall Bay).

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Name your favourite regional restaurant
  • 10.3% 50-50
    10.3% Complete
  • 28.6% Long Beach Cafe and Tavern
    28.6% Complete
  • 43.6% Seashore Cabaret
    43.6% Complete
  • 17.5% The Botanist
    17.5% Complete
234 votes
1492 days ago

Ten offers and still no home

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellingtonians Le Ho and her partner Zin Hoang can't find anywhere to call home.
Ho, 29 and a member of Massey University’s marketing team, and Hoang, 23, a scientist, have pre-approved for a mortgage in the $700,000 to $800,000 range.
So far they have put in ten offers without success.
One … View more
Wellingtonians Le Ho and her partner Zin Hoang can't find anywhere to call home.
Ho, 29 and a member of Massey University’s marketing team, and Hoang, 23, a scientist, have pre-approved for a mortgage in the $700,000 to $800,000 range.
So far they have put in ten offers without success.
One property they liked had 32 offers. Ho admits it is getting "disheartening" and they are losing hope.

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