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Whether it's craft, haberdashery, woodwork or upcycling, we'd love to see what you've been working on lately.
You may even spark someone else's creativity...
Tell us about your current project or show us a picture in the comments below...
ANZAC Day is a time to reflect, remember, and honour those who served.
It’s also a powerful reminder of the impact of war and the courage of those who stood for something greater than themselves.
We're interested to hear what ANZAC Day means to you and your whānau, and about any … View moreANZAC Day is a time to reflect, remember, and honour those who served.
It’s also a powerful reminder of the impact of war and the courage of those who stood for something greater than themselves.
We're interested to hear what ANZAC Day means to you and your whānau, and about any special traditions you follow each year.
Perhaps you have a loved one who served? If you feel comfortable, we’d love for you to share their story here with us.
Check out fresh, practical ideas to better your homes, gardens and lifestyles with 140+ exhibitors all in one easy location! Doors open from the 9 to 11 of May for the Wellington Better Home and Living Show There’ll be kitchens, builders, double glazing, spas, heating, flooring, homewares, … View moreCheck out fresh, practical ideas to better your homes, gardens and lifestyles with 140+ exhibitors all in one easy location! Doors open from the 9 to 11 of May for the Wellington Better Home and Living Show There’ll be kitchens, builders, double glazing, spas, heating, flooring, homewares, landscaping, health, beauty, well-being, artisan goods, delicious food & coffee. All you need under one roof the 9th to 11th of May at Sky Stadium.
Join the fun with the Neighbourly 2 for 1 Adult Ticket Offer
There are so many fabulous reasons to visit the show, enjoy a day out with friends with a huge range of exhibitors to improve your homes, lifestyles and outdoors. Join Resident Builder Peter Wolfkamp on Saturday at the show for his free Ask an Expert session, enjoy a delicious range of artisan foods, get creative with the kids at Resene Paint a Pot on Saturday and Sunday and lots more!
Save the date in your diaries: 9 - 11 May at the Wellington Better Home and Living Show
Fri & Sat 10 – 5, Sun 10 – 4
Sky Stadium, Wellington
Adults $5
Gold Card Friday $2.50
Under 16 free www.youtube.com...
Celebrate the start of the junior rugby season by getting down to the Cake Tin and showing off your club colours for Club Round!
Saturday 17 May from 9am to 6pm
Sunday 18 May from 9am to 3pm
All proceeds to Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a charitable trust working with Vietnam’s poorest children to break the poverty cycle and to stop child trafficking.
Two ways you can contribute to this fantastic cause:
• … View moreSaturday 17 May from 9am to 6pm
Sunday 18 May from 9am to 3pm
All proceeds to Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, a charitable trust working with Vietnam’s poorest children to break the poverty cycle and to stop child trafficking.
Two ways you can contribute to this fantastic cause:
• Donate books, DVDs, CDs or puzzles/board games in good condition
• Come to the book fair and buy some bargain books, DVDs etc
How to make your donations:
• Drop your donations from Saturday 19 April, at Kennards Storage, 19 Hutt Road, in the downstairs area on the right-hand side, clearly labelled 'Blue Dragon'. Please, no books after Tuesday 13 May. Check website for opening hours.
• Only books in good condition: NO old atlases and NO academic text books, ex-library books, encyclopaedias and magazines.
Looking for a thoughtful gift for Mum? Give her something she'll enjoy all year round with a magazine subscription!
This Mother's Day, save up to 35% on subscriptions – perfect for Mum, Grandma, a special mother figure, or even as a treat for yourself!
Enjoy these 1-year … View moreLooking for a thoughtful gift for Mum? Give her something she'll enjoy all year round with a magazine subscription!
This Mother's Day, save up to 35% on subscriptions – perfect for Mum, Grandma, a special mother figure, or even as a treat for yourself!
Enjoy these 1-year subscriptions at unbeatable prices: NZ Gardener for $79 (was $106.80), NZ House & Garden for $99 (was $132), and TV Guide for $119 (was $166.40).
Whether she’s passionate about gardening, inspired by beautiful homes, or loves to keep up with the latest entertainment, you’ll find the perfect match at Mags4Gifts.co.nz.
Don't miss out – shop now and make her day unforgettable!
From the team at Mags4Gifts
Just renovated bathroom, have a couple of items which are in good condition that maybe useful to someone doing some bathroom/toilet fix ups.
Perfectly working toilet, soft close seat & lid. About 6 years old. Bought from Placemakers.
Glass swivel bath screen (1400mm x 800mm)
Aro Valley
Rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a ANZAC woodwork project has been the perfect way to forge a friendship, say Patrick Hogan Village residents Roger and Tony.
“We’ve made eight soldiers and 20 poppies plus the smaller poppies that go on the soldiers’ chests which we will … View moreRolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into a ANZAC woodwork project has been the perfect way to forge a friendship, say Patrick Hogan Village residents Roger and Tony.
“We’ve made eight soldiers and 20 poppies plus the smaller poppies that go on the soldiers’ chests which we will place around the gardens and outside the resident lounge here,” Roger says, agreeing that they will make a perfect backdrop for the village’s planned remembrance morning tea.
Click read more for the full story.
Great things happen when people come together! The Volunteer Team Award celebrates a team of volunteers who are making a real difference through their collective effort.
Nominations are open! Know a volunteer team doing amazing mahi? Nominate them now using the link.
It might not be too late for you, but some people look back and wish they had taken a different career path.
If you could go back in time, would you choose something different? Let us know what you would have chosen in the comments below.
Police are monitoring gang movements through the Wellington region for a funeral today.
Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members add associates travelling around the wider Wellington region. Police will have a visible presence as vehicles travel from Moera towards Foxton at … View morePolice are monitoring gang movements through the Wellington region for a funeral today.
Motorists can expect to see a large number of gang members add associates travelling around the wider Wellington region. Police will have a visible presence as vehicles travel from Moera towards Foxton at around 11am.
We remind those travelling on our roads to not act in a way that puts anybody’s safety at risk. Any unlawful behaviour where Police cannot take action at the time will be investigated and followed up with enforcement action.
If you have concerns for your safety, or witness illegal behaviour happening now, please call 111 immediately.
To report or send in any video footage of anyone causing concern, we encourage you to make a 105 report, either online or over the phone.
Information can also be anonymously provided via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
We hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Maybe you have done some Easter baking, created an Easter egg hunt or decorated the house Easter themed - whatever your plans, share a photo of your Easter weekend moments below.
You'll be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card which you can spend on … View moreWe hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Maybe you have done some Easter baking, created an Easter egg hunt or decorated the house Easter themed - whatever your plans, share a photo of your Easter weekend moments below.
You'll be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card which you can spend on chocolate, or whatever else your heart desires!
Behind every great community are small businesses with big hearts.
The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards celebrate the unsung heroes who do more than just business by bringing kindness, support, and joy to our neighbourhoods. Do you know a local business owner - or a member of the team - who … View moreBehind every great community are small businesses with big hearts.
The Prospa Local Business Hero Awards celebrate the unsung heroes who do more than just business by bringing kindness, support, and joy to our neighbourhoods. Do you know a local business owner - or a member of the team - who always goes the extra mile? Nominate them today and show your appreciation.
They could become New Zealand’s next Local Business Hero and earn a well-deserved reward for their incredible community spirit - plus you could win great prizes too!
Get the jump on winter with our Easter Price Busters.
Terms and conditions apply.
‘Fernhill’ and her families
Last month, when we went hunting for the stables in Hanover Street, we unearthed the story of the ‘Fernhill’ stables that housed Winnie, the beautiful black horse that a former pupil remembers being ridden by Euphemia Maxwell, who owned and was school mistress… View more‘Fernhill’ and her families
Last month, when we went hunting for the stables in Hanover Street, we unearthed the story of the ‘Fernhill’ stables that housed Winnie, the beautiful black horse that a former pupil remembers being ridden by Euphemia Maxwell, who owned and was school mistress at ‘Fernhill’ …
Farm cottage to family home
‘Fernhill’ is one of the earliest houses in Wellington, “a rare example of early Colonial architecture”. The oldest part was a humble cottage on five acres of farmland bought by Charles Pharazyn in 1845, after the 1841 subdivision of Wadestown by James Watt and John Wade. It was built from matai and totara cut on the site. Additions in 1860 made it the family home that a young widow, Euphemia Maxwell, bought in early 1866 for her four children, her mother and her 8’6” grand piano! Before they moved in, a conservatory and lean-to were added. There is a delightful description of the bullock cart journey of her piano over the steep hill from Wellington to ‘Fernhill’, in Julie Green’s book “Family Connections - Fernhill, Crofton and The Elms”.
Wadestown’s earliest school
From 1874 until 1881, when Wadestown School was established, Euphemia’s home served as a school and Sunday school for local children. In 1878, she added a large room to better accommodate her grand piano and her school and church activities.
Fernhill subdivision
In 1888, after the Maxwell family moved to Tauranga, the property was subdivided, making 26 sections in Fernhill Terrace as it now is, and 12 sections on the west side of Pitt Street. The building sites were in “the most picturesque and healthy suburb of Wellington ...[with] a charming view of bush scenery... well sheltered from the southerly winds.” It sold as 39 lots over the next decade. The large section between Fernhill Terrace, Pitt St and Wadestown Rd was later sold by Euphemia to St Luke’s Church. ‘Fernhill’ itself was on a larger section, and its stable on one of the new Pitt St sections. ‘Fernhill’ was not sold until 1894, after seven years of deterioration as a tenanted property.
Later ‘Fernhill’ families
‘Fernhill’ continued as a family home throughout the rest of the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, to date. From 1903, it has been home for a combined 115 years, to just two families.
Edward and Ellen Mayhew lived here with their four children for 47 years, until Ed’s death in 1950. There are some lovely anecdotes in Julie Green’s book, like Ed grazing his horses in the gully between Fernhill Terrace and Weld St!
In 1956, on the 75th anniversary of Wadestown School, Keith and Jackie Matthews acquired ‘Fernhill’ where Jackie was still living, in 2024, after 68 years. They raised their four children in ‘Fernhill’ and made sympathetic additions in 1960 and the late 1970s. Keith and Jackie retained the ‘street scape’, footprint and quirkiness of the house Euphemia left behind, but created better visual and physical access to the pleasant garden at the rear, changes that Jackie hoped will be recognized, like Euphemia’s, as part of ‘Fernhill’s history.
Heritage covenant – a lasting tribute to Jackie Matthews 1926-2024
In June 2012, Jackie Matthews signed a heritage covenant with the NZ Historic Places Trust “to protect, maintain and preserve Fernhill as an historic place”.
ϗ With thanks to the Matthews family, and to Julie Green ϗ
Footnote: the ‘Fernhill’, ‘Crofton’ and Hanover Street farmhouse connections
There are some fascinating connections between ‘Fernhill’, ‘Crofton’ and the Hanover Street farmhouses.
An “H. Ashworth” and his wife and children were tenants at ‘Fernhill’ in 1893 and probably longer, while the Fernhill subdivision was in progress (‘Fernhill’ was tenanted from 1887 until sold in 1894). If this was Nettie (Henrietta) Ashworth (daughter of John Holmes of Kaiwharawhara) and her husband Henry, it seems likely that they rented ‘Fernhill’ before they moved to 27 Hanover Street when her father purchased it in 1896.
As a footnote to our February post on 27 Hanover Street, we note that the same John Holmes bought the historic Crofton homestead in Ngaio in 1895, which his family owned until 1931. Shortly after, a “Mr and Mrs John Holmes” bought sections 37 and 38 of the Fernhill subdivision in January 1898, with frontage to Fernhill Terrace and Elizabeth Street (now lower Weld Street, which backs onto Hanover Street) [“Family Connections Fernhill, Crofton and The Elms” pages 47 and 31]. Was this the same John Holmes, and did he build on his sections in Fernhill Terrace if he was living in ‘Crofton’? Yet another piece of the heritage jigsaw for someone to explore and fit into place!
© Neighbourly 2026
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