Makara, Wellington

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1366 days ago

Rare duck spotted in Lower Hutt

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Lower Hutt wildlife photographer Louise Thomas had the perfect Valentine's Day gift, spotting an extremely rare pāteke (brown teal).
Once widespread throughout New Zealand, pāteke are our rarest native waterfowl.
Thomas spotted the bird in a Lower Hutt park on Valentine's Day.
According… View more
Lower Hutt wildlife photographer Louise Thomas had the perfect Valentine's Day gift, spotting an extremely rare pāteke (brown teal).
Once widespread throughout New Zealand, pāteke are our rarest native waterfowl.
Thomas spotted the bird in a Lower Hutt park on Valentine's Day.
According to DOC there are between 2000 and 2500 pāteke with the main populations on Great Barrier Island (700), Northland (600), and Coromandel (400).
The rest of the population is on offshore Islands, including Kāpiti and Mana, and sanctuaries like Zealandia.
They are considered at risk of extinction because they only survive in areas that are actively trapped.

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1369 days ago

Auckland to move to Alert Level 2, rest of New Zealand to move to Alert Level 1

Neighbourly.co.nz

UPDATE
17 February
4.53pm

The rest of New Zealand will return at Alert Level 1 at 11.59pm tonight. Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield are currently providing an update to media at a post-cabinet press conference.

Here's what you need to know:
- New Zealand will return to Alert … View more
UPDATE
17 February
4.53pm

The rest of New Zealand will return at Alert Level 1 at 11.59pm tonight. Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield are currently providing an update to media at a post-cabinet press conference.

Here's what you need to know:
- New Zealand will return to Alert Level 1 with Auckland moving to Alert Level 2.
- These restrictions will be reviewed February 22.
- There has been an additional 1 case confirmed, with the positive case a member of the same household bubble.
- New locations of interest have been loaded on the Ministry of Health website.
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UPDATE
16 February
1.09pm

There are no new community cases Ashley Bloomfield confirmed in a 1pm update today. There are no new cases in MIQ facilities.
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UPDATE
15 February
4.20pm

Jacinda Ardern and Ashley Bloomfield are currently providing an update to media at a post-cabinet press conference.

Here's what you need to know:
- The Prime Minister says there's a variety of scenarios on how the virus got into the community. To date, health officials are still attempting to establish the source of the outbreak.
- 42 people have been identified as close contacts.
- The first batch of Pfizer vaccines - 60,000 doses - arrived this morning on a Singapore Airlines flight.
- Vaccines will be offered to border and MIQ workers from this Saturday.
- This will be the largest vaccine programme in New Zealand's history, Jacinda Ardern says.
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UPDATE
February 15
1.36pm

The Ministry of Health has confirmed five new cases of Covid-19 in managed isolation. There are no new community cases.
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UPDATE
February 15
8.18am

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the first two February cases are the highly infectious UK strain. There is no link to any MIQ infections.
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All regions outside Auckland have moved to Alert Level 2.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addressed the nation at 7.00pm Sunday, announcing all regions excluding Auckland, will move to Alert Level 2 from 11.59pm tonight.

Here's what you need to know:
- Gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited.
- Mask use is encouraged when it is difficult to maintain physical distancing.
- From 11.59pm tonight, travel to Auckland will no longer be possible with the heightened alert level - unless you are returning home.
- The full list of rules under Alert Level 2 can be found here.
- Here's the full list of locations of interest where the cases visited.

Neighbourly will update this message as further information comes to hand.

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1367 days ago

COVID-19 Alert Level 1

Simone Borgstede from Wellington City Council

Great news!
At 11:59pm on 17 February 2021, Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 1.

That means that our services and facilities will return to normal.
Even in Alert Level 1, it's important we remember the basics:

- Keep track of where you … View more
Great news!
At 11:59pm on 17 February 2021, Auckland will move to Alert Level 2 and the rest of New Zealand will move to Alert Level 1.

That means that our services and facilities will return to normal.
Even in Alert Level 1, it's important we remember the basics:

- Keep track of where you go
- Practice good hygiene
- Wear a mask on public transport
- Stay home if you're feeling unwell

For more info, head to covid19.govt.nz...

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1367 days ago

Cable Car turns 119

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellington’s Cable Car is turning 119 this month.
Here are some interesting facts and figures.
- The Cable Car is a funicular railway rising 120 metres over a length of 609 metres. The line rises at a constant grade of 1 in 5 (18%), through three tunnels and over three bridges.
- The Cable Car … View more
Wellington’s Cable Car is turning 119 this month.
Here are some interesting facts and figures.
- The Cable Car is a funicular railway rising 120 metres over a length of 609 metres. The line rises at a constant grade of 1 in 5 (18%), through three tunnels and over three bridges.
- The Cable Car has two cars, which start from opposite ends of the line and pass in the middle. They are attached to each other by a 30 mm diameter cable, guided by 120 rollers, which runs round a pulley at the top of the hill.
-The normal operating speed is 14.5 kmh, with a maximum load of about 75 passengers. Each car weighs about 13 tonnes when empty and 20 tonnes when full.
- It is used by about 1.1 million people each year.
- The original Cable Car railway was built and operated by the Kelburne & Karori Tramway Company. The line opened to the public on 22 February 1902.
- The hilltop location of Victoria University’s main campus was influenced by the company’s offer of a donation of £1000 if the university were located in Kelburn, so students would patronise the car when travelling between the city and the university.
- The designer of the system was James Fulton, a Dunedin-born engineer who had earlier helped build and operate the privately-owned Wellington-Manawatu railway.
- The Cable Car’s original steam-powered winding gear was replaced by an electric motor in 1933.
- In the 1940s the Cable Car suffered from increased competition: City Council buses ran to Karori and other western suburbs, bypassing it. The company believed that it was wrong for the City Council to compete with a private company, and a legal dispute broke out. The argument ended when the City Council agreed to purchase the company in 1947.
- The safety of the original Cable Car system, including its antique carriages, became a major issue in the 1970s. At that time the Ministry of Works concluded that aspects of the Cable Car were unsafe, particularly the use of unbraked trailers, and called for the system to be scrapped. Luckily for us, instead the Cable Car was replaced in 1979 with the design that we have today.
- Since the replacement, each car has completed over 993K trips, which is a total distance of over 605,000 km. That is 15 times around the earth, or 290 trips from Bluff to Cape Reinga

1368 days ago

What do you think about delaying the library upgrade?

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellington’s mayor says he is against a proposal to consider delaying the upgrade of the city’s earthquake-prone central library, urging the council to “get on with it”.
The consideration comes as the city council attempts to work out how it can pay for mounting infrastructure repairs … View more
Wellington’s mayor says he is against a proposal to consider delaying the upgrade of the city’s earthquake-prone central library, urging the council to “get on with it”.
The consideration comes as the city council attempts to work out how it can pay for mounting infrastructure repairs across the city over the next 10 years, a problem that has already led to a proposed rates hike of up to 17 per cent.
Wellington City Council staff have suggested delaying the $179 million upgrade of the quake-prone library by up to three years to help keep the council within its budget, but mayor Andy Foster said that could not be allowed to happen.

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1367 days ago

Register for Open Day

Whitby Collegiate

Come along and see Whitby Collegiate at our next Open Day on Sunday 14 March from 11am to 1pm.

Whitby Collegiate is the first progressive, independent, co-educational school in the Wellington region for Years 7 to 13. 

• Excellent teacher to student ratios.
• Strong academic results.
View more
Come along and see Whitby Collegiate at our next Open Day on Sunday 14 March from 11am to 1pm.

Whitby Collegiate is the first progressive, independent, co-educational school in the Wellington region for Years 7 to 13. 

• Excellent teacher to student ratios.
• Strong academic results.
• A supportive learning environment.
• Buses running to and from the Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Johnsonville and the
Hutt Valley.

Register for the Sunday 14 March Open Day here.
Find out more

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1367 days ago

Free AgriSkills Training with UCOL @Taratahi

UCOL

UCOL at Taratahi have short residential courses starting now, providing candidates with a jump start to a career on the land.

These are fully-funded courses delivered in partnership with MPI and provide skills and training to meet needs across the primary industries.

Starting from March there… View more
UCOL at Taratahi have short residential courses starting now, providing candidates with a jump start to a career on the land.

These are fully-funded courses delivered in partnership with MPI and provide skills and training to meet needs across the primary industries.

Starting from March there are courses in Apiculture, Dairy, Shearing, Fencing, general Ag-contracting and specialist vehicle training.

All courses are residential at Taratahi, both the cost of board and training is covered*.

Following training at Taratahi, UCOL has fee-free agriculture certificates and diplomas or job opportunities that await.

Get in touch with UCOL today (0800 GO UCOL), secure your place and get the skills to start your career on the land.

*Candidates must be over 18 for residential stay, self-catering at weekends.
Find out more

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1369 days ago

Sprinkler ban for Wellington region

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Due to low water supply in Wellington region and not enough rain, there is now a BAN on residential sprinklers and irrigation systems in Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt, Porirua, and Wellington City council areas.

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1369 days ago

Services and facilities in Capital at COVID-19 Alert Level 2

Seamus Boyer from Wellington City Council

Kia ora Pōneke,

From 11:59pm tonight, Sunday 14 February, Wellington, along with most of New Zealand, will be re-entering COVID-19 Alert Level 2. This will last until midnight, Wednesday 17 February, unless otherwise announced.

It follows the news that in Auckland there are three positive cases … View more
Kia ora Pōneke,

From 11:59pm tonight, Sunday 14 February, Wellington, along with most of New Zealand, will be re-entering COVID-19 Alert Level 2. This will last until midnight, Wednesday 17 February, unless otherwise announced.

It follows the news that in Auckland there are three positive cases of COVID-19. The Auckland Region will move to Alert Level 3 for the same period.

These changes of Alert Level will be reviewed on a 24-hour basis and with daily updates, the first being on Monday afternoon (15 February).

We've been through this before, and it's time for us to unite once again.

For information on how Council services and facilities will operate during Alert Level 2, please visit our website here:

wellington.govt.nz...

For more information on health advice or the Alert Levels, please go to: covid19.govt.nz

Be kind and stay safe, Wellington. He waka eke noa! 💛

#OurWellington #TōTātouPōneke #KiaKaha

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1368 days ago

Pams bacon pieces recalled

Neighbourly.co.nz

It has been revealed that aluminium pieces may be present in a Pams product.

In a statement, the Ministry for Primary Industries advised that a specific batch of "Pams Bacon Pieces" should not be consumed due to the possible presence of the foreign matter.

So far, there have been no… View more
It has been revealed that aluminium pieces may be present in a Pams product.

In a statement, the Ministry for Primary Industries advised that a specific batch of "Pams Bacon Pieces" should not be consumed due to the possible presence of the foreign matter.

So far, there have been no reports of associated injuries but if consumers have any concerns about their health, they should contact health officials.

What you need to know:
- The product is sold in Pak'n Save, Four Square and New World stores throughout the country.
- The best before date is February 28 2021.
- The bacon pieces weigh 350g and are contained in a plastic wrapping.

Customers are asked to return the product to their retailer for a full refund. Further queries can be directed to Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd on 0800 24 51 14

For further information on the recall please visit the New Zealand Food Safety Website.

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1368 days ago

Dancing with strangers on Wellington's Cuba St

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It’s just after midday on Wednesday and Marielle Estelle is wearing a white dress.
Carrying a $500 boom-box, two yellow signs, a water bottle and adorned in a kina ring she designed herself, Estelle walks down Cuba St in Wellington’s Te Aro with a smile.
She uses blue chalk to draw a large, … View more
It’s just after midday on Wednesday and Marielle Estelle is wearing a white dress.
Carrying a $500 boom-box, two yellow signs, a water bottle and adorned in a kina ring she designed herself, Estelle walks down Cuba St in Wellington’s Te Aro with a smile.
She uses blue chalk to draw a large, uneven oval onto the cobblestone pavement alongside the words join the dance.
And then she starts to dance.
For the past 11 weeks she’s been coming to Cuba St during people’s lunch hour. She sees dancing as a way of making people relax and encourages everybody to give it a go.

1372 days ago

Living on a boat to escape Wellington's high rentals

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Want to escape Wellington’s escalating rent prices? Consider living aboard a boat – but be prepared to fork out several thousand dollars for a vessel, and wait months for a berth in one of Wellington’s overstuffed marinas.
Wellington couple Tom Turner, 22, and Simone Zoellner, 21, have … View more
Want to escape Wellington’s escalating rent prices? Consider living aboard a boat – but be prepared to fork out several thousand dollars for a vessel, and wait months for a berth in one of Wellington’s overstuffed marinas.
Wellington couple Tom Turner, 22, and Simone Zoellner, 21, have bypassed the rental crisis by paying $100 a week for a berth in Lower Hutt's Seaview Marina.
Would you be prepared to live on a boat?

1371 days ago

Pet of the Day: Pip

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Remember if you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say what suburb you are from.
This week we feature Pip a ten month old border terrier, who belongs to Suzie Beverley from Hataitai.

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1368 days ago

NVE: COVID Level 2 update

Jeff Jewell from New Vision Enterprises Ltd.

#DidYouKnow? #NVE has #COVID policies that are put into place for each NZ Alert Level. At Level 2, we are still open for business.. During this time we will conduct business a little differently to ensure that you, your families and our staff are all safe during this time.

Some things you can … View more
#DidYouKnow? #NVE has #COVID policies that are put into place for each NZ Alert Level. At Level 2, we are still open for business.. During this time we will conduct business a little differently to ensure that you, your families and our staff are all safe during this time.

Some things you can expect at #NZAlertLevel2:

* NVE will need to know whether you are well and whether you are isolating for any reason. Unless urgent, work may not be able to continue if you are sick or isolating.
* We ask that while our tradesperson is on site please remain at least two metres away from them.
* If it is a renovation and you are living in the house, then you need to discuss and plan with your builder how best to ensure how the construction protocols will be achieved. This should be documented and agreed. Your details will also need to be recorded for potential contact tracing on a daily basis.
* We would REALLY appreciate it if you could clear the area being worked on of your personal items before we arrive (tooth brushes, dishes, etc.)
* #NVETradies will take extra steps around cleaning the area, tools and equipment on a regular basis as well as their own personal hand washing.
* Staff may wear masks and gloves (or other PPE) depending on the nature of the work, they may also ask you to take precautions in a similar manner to protect everyone involved. There may be an additional charge for PPE if it is required.
* NVE requests that pets, children, and other people stay in another room, if possible, while work is being carried out. We love your kids and pets and we want to keep everyone safe.

Thank you for your patience & cooperation during this time. #LetUsKnowHowWeCanHelpYou

#HereToHelp #NZLicensedTradies #WeCanDoThat #DrainlayersNZ #NZPlumbers #PlumbingNZ #NZDrainlayers #NZPlumbing #NVE #NVEPlumbing #NZGasfitters #GasfittersNZ #SupportlLocal #NVEDrainage #NVEHeating #NVEGasfitting #NVERoofing #NVESkylights #NZFamilyOwned #CustomerSatisfaction #HomeRenos #RenosForYou #NewBuilds #CommercialServices #ResidentialServices

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1369 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Sophie and Kanan

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Sophie and Kanan come in a pair from the Wellington SPCA.

"Since I have been here, I have found a new best friend so will need to be adopted Kanan. He is quite shy, and will need an experienced family. This is what my foster family said about me. "Sophie was shy and hid a lot when she … View more
Sophie and Kanan come in a pair from the Wellington SPCA.

"Since I have been here, I have found a new best friend so will need to be adopted Kanan. He is quite shy, and will need an experienced family. This is what my foster family said about me. "Sophie was shy and hid a lot when she first came home with me. I put some food by her hiding spot and a little trail towards me and she came out and was affectionate. Until she feels safe she will hide. Sophie still - 3 months later - hides when other people come to the house, but is brave and affectionate with me. Sophie isn't really interested in toys and prefers to sleep in the sun or hang out with me. She will either snuggle into my leg on the sofa or on my lap. When she wants attention she will pat me with her paw. In the evening I would cradle her like a baby and sing to her and rub her belly, she loved it." I would do best with someone around for parts of the day, and will need to be indoors for some time until I feel safe."

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