Mount Cook, Wellington

Need some warm fuzzies?

Need some warm fuzzies?

Read the heart-warming neighbour stories here or even share about your Nice Neighbour.

1427 days ago

Neighbourly Good Sort: Mark Dunajtschik

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Todays Good Sort is someone who can claim to have changed the face of Wellington.
Wellington property developer Mark Dunajtschik was this week honoured as the Property Council New Zealand Members’ Laureate, a lifetime membership awarded once a year.
Mark was called “a shining example of … View more
Todays Good Sort is someone who can claim to have changed the face of Wellington.
Wellington property developer Mark Dunajtschik was this week honoured as the Property Council New Zealand Members’ Laureate, a lifetime membership awarded once a year.
Mark was called “a shining example of ‘property for good’, consistently breaking the often-negative connotations that come with the role of property developer”.
A humble man, Mark came to New Zealand as a toolmaker in 1958 to make a new life after an extraordinary story that saw him imprisoned in a Yugoslav concentration camp before eventually escaping with his mother to Germany.
He trained as a toolmaker, before spending five years travelling the world and deciding to make New Zealand his home.
After a few months on Kiwi soil, Mark established Precision Grinders, running the business successfully for 25 years.
After retiring in 1987, he dabbled in property investment and development as a hobby, quickly accumulating and adding value to commercial and residential property around central Wellington, developing his unique, hands-on formula for success.
He has added value
His legacy includes properties such as Environment House, the James Smith Building, the Harcourts Building, HSBC Tower, the Asteron Centre, and more recently the new $50 million-dollar Children’s Hospital for Capital and Coast District Health Board, which he has developed and gifted to the city.
Mark has also been benefactor for many charitable organisations including a helicopter service which eventually morphed into the present Life Flight Trust, disability provider Hohepa, the Wellington Free Ambulance and as one of the first private donors to the Michael Fowler Centre.

Please put NFP if you do not want your comment used by Stuff.

Image
1424 days ago

Two fatal crashes in Wellington

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Wellington police are appealing to the public to take more care after attending two fatal crashes in Wellington over the weekend.
A car crashed on Cobham Drive, outside St Patrick’s College, near the intersection of Evans Bay Pde in Kilbirnie on Sunday, resulting in the death of a 16 year-old.
View more
Wellington police are appealing to the public to take more care after attending two fatal crashes in Wellington over the weekend.
A car crashed on Cobham Drive, outside St Patrick’s College, near the intersection of Evans Bay Pde in Kilbirnie on Sunday, resulting in the death of a 16 year-old.
Stuff understands the car involved had been previously stolen from an address in Miramar. Police report there were seven reports of stolen cars in Miramar last week.
It was the second fatal crash of the weekend with another death on Saturday following a two-car crash in Upper Hutt.
Wellingtom police subsequently released a statement calling on Wellingtons to take more care on the roads.
"Two grieving families and two funerals being planned before Christmas. We need to do better Wellington. It really is so simple."

Image
1424 days ago

Sport Blast from the Past: Mary Fisher

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Mary Fisher is one of our most successful international swimmers.
A world class athlete, she is an advocate for the blind and has never let her disability stop her.
Living in Upper Hutt, she took up competitive swimming at nine, first representing New Zealand in Australia in 2007.
At the 2009 World… View more
Mary Fisher is one of our most successful international swimmers.
A world class athlete, she is an advocate for the blind and has never let her disability stop her.
Living in Upper Hutt, she took up competitive swimming at nine, first representing New Zealand in Australia in 2007.
At the 2009 World Short Course Championships she featured prominently before setting a world record in the women’s 200m individual medley S11 at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Mary always took her sport seriously, training daily with a determination to see how fast she could go.
At the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal, she won five gold medals.
At the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Mary secured a further five medals including three gold, and at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games she again broke a world record in winning gold.
Mary retired from Para swimming in November 2018.
Mary, 26, is well-known for her work as an advocate around disability and environmental issues and for her support developing Para swimmers and mentoring youth with vision impairment and their families.
In 2019, she was appointed to the board of Paralympics New Zealand.

1430 days ago

First home buyer burned by sunset clause finally secures dream house in Lower Hutt

Kylie Klein Nixon Reporter from Homed

Remember Bailey Ross, the first time buyer who missed out on the property she'd been saving since she was 16 to own because of a sunset clause? Well, great news! She's secured a home in Lower Hutt.
I caught up with Bailey for an episode of First Rung, our podcast for first time buyers. … View more
Remember Bailey Ross, the first time buyer who missed out on the property she'd been saving since she was 16 to own because of a sunset clause? Well, great news! She's secured a home in Lower Hutt.
I caught up with Bailey for an episode of First Rung, our podcast for first time buyers. She ended up giving me a bit of a masterclass in tenacity and not giving up on your home owning dreams.
Find out how Bailey found her first home, and what it means to her after such a big let down.

Image
1424 days ago

Wellingtons Highest Rated Clinic

Acute Acupuncture Ltd Nate Wafstet from Acute Acupuncture

Wellingtons HIGHEST rated clinic for Acupuncture & Tuina(medical massages).

www.topreviews.co.nz...

We specialize in a wide range of medical conditions from mental/emotional problems such as, but not limited to, addiction, anxiety, depression and reducing stress; to musculoskeletal problems … View more
Wellingtons HIGHEST rated clinic for Acupuncture & Tuina(medical massages).

www.topreviews.co.nz...

We specialize in a wide range of medical conditions from mental/emotional problems such as, but not limited to, addiction, anxiety, depression and reducing stress; to musculoskeletal problems such as, but not limited to, repetitive strain injury (RSI) and any accident covered by ACC. We also support patients with chronic conditions such as, but not limited to, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, adrenal fatigue, arthritis and migraines.

After gaining a wide range of experience as an Acupuncturist and Tuina Practitioner in different settings throughout the greater Wellington Region including Hutt Hospital Maternity Acupuncture Clinic, a community outreach program at Arohata women's prison, at Bendy Buddha in Island Bay, at Achilles Clinic in Wellington Central, and as a Teaching Assistant and a Guest Lecturer at the New Zealand School of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Nate Wafstet identified a gap in the market and opened up his own clinic on The Terrace in Wellington Central where he could incorporate the experience and skills that he had acquired to build a thriving inner-city practice.

Click the link below for a FREE complimentary 15 minute consultation or LEARN more about Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) by clicking the link below.

www.acute...

1427 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Our Friday Feathered Friend this week is a Royal Spoonbill beautifully photographed by Louise Thomas in the Hutt River estuary.

Image
1428 days ago

Councillors vote to support Shelly Bay

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Mayor Andy Foster has described the decision to support Shelly Bay as a "sad" day for the city.
Wellington City councillors have agreed to sell and lease land for the $500 million Shelly Bay development on the Miramar Peninsiula.
Wellington City councillors have given the green light to … View more
Mayor Andy Foster has described the decision to support Shelly Bay as a "sad" day for the city.
Wellington City councillors have agreed to sell and lease land for the $500 million Shelly Bay development on the Miramar Peninsiula.
Wellington City councillors have given the green light to the controversial Shelly Bay redevelopment, voting 9-6 after an eight-hour-long marathon session in favour of allowing the project to proceed.
The decision is a major blow for Wellington mayor Andy Foster, who centred his election campaign last year on stopping the $500 million development on the Miramar Peninsula, and to the film mogul and local Sir Peter Jackson, who supported him.

Please type NFP if you don't want your comment featured in our conversations section of a community paper.

Image
1425 days ago

Watch Stuff Circuit’s new documentary, Emma

The Team Reporter from Stuff

At two weeks old, Emma was left at an orphanage in Russia. After three years, Emma was adopted by a New Zealand family and brought here for a new life - but that didn’t work out how it was supposed to. Emma was diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder. Parenting her… View moreAt two weeks old, Emma was left at an orphanage in Russia. After three years, Emma was adopted by a New Zealand family and brought here for a new life - but that didn’t work out how it was supposed to. Emma was diagnosed with foetal alcohol syndrome and reactive attachment disorder. Parenting her became a nightmare, and it ended in tragedy.

Emma has faced more challenges and rejections than most people could cope with. And now, she wants to take on the biggest challenge of her life - finding answers to those most fundamental questions: who am I? Where did I come from?
Watch now

Image
1426 days ago

Neighbourly Pet of the Day: Freddy and Daisy

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Meet Freddy the golden retriever and Daisy the poodle/shih-tzu cross who live with proud mum Sophia Jensen.  They all live with CousCous the tabby cat.

The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your… View more
Meet Freddy the golden retriever and Daisy the poodle/shih-tzu cross who live with proud mum Sophia Jensen.  They all live with CousCous the tabby cat.

The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz

Please put NFP if you do not want your comment used by Stuff.

1427 days ago

Happy Diwali to New Zealand!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Diwali has different meanings worldwide depending where you live but primarily it celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Whether you are celebrating at home by lighting lamps & eating treats, or you are going to a nearby festival, we'd love to hear about your Diwali celebrations. Feel … View moreDiwali has different meanings worldwide depending where you live but primarily it celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Whether you are celebrating at home by lighting lamps & eating treats, or you are going to a nearby festival, we'd love to hear about your Diwali celebrations. Feel free to share your photos and best wishes to your community below.

Image
1425 days ago

Wellington SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Gigi

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

I seem to be boxer/American bulldog type crossbreed, or SPCA Special as everyone says! I am deaf, so am looking for a special home to go to with an owner who is committed to helping me learn all the usual stuff, just with a different way of learning through visual language and a lot of patience.
View more
I seem to be boxer/American bulldog type crossbreed, or SPCA Special as everyone says! I am deaf, so am looking for a special home to go to with an owner who is committed to helping me learn all the usual stuff, just with a different way of learning through visual language and a lot of patience.
A home where I will get plenty of time and commitment invested in me would be most beneficial, and I will definitely reward you back with years of love and loyalty.
An existing dog in the household could be great, to help me learn from them! I will need ongoing training around other dogs, as I cannot hear verbal signals from dogs, so need an experienced adult to guide me through interactions. I am continuing to learn with other dogs in the centre, and look forward to carrying this on in my home.

Please put NFP if you do not want your comment used by Stuff.

Image
1425 days ago

Maintaining your Curtains after Cleaning

Robert Anderson from

Keep your newly revived curtains looking fresher for as long as possible with our tips!

Minimise the food sources that encourage mould growth
• Clean soft furnishings regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually involves a regular light vacuum, with less frequent … View more
Keep your newly revived curtains looking fresher for as long as possible with our tips!

Minimise the food sources that encourage mould growth
• Clean soft furnishings regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually involves a regular light vacuum, with less frequent dry cleaning or laundering.
• Regularly clean windows and wipe down window surrounds and venetian blinds or shutters with a mild detergent in warm water.
• Consider selecting window coverings manufactured from man-made materials, particularly in damp areas such as the bathroom, kitchen and on south facing windows.

Minimise moisture in your home
• Use lids on pots and pans when cooking.
• Never hang clothes to dry inside and vent your clothes drier to the outside.
• Keep your roof, cladding and guttering in good repair.
• Check that stormwater is being discharged to an appropriate outlet.
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Replace any unflued gas heaters with flued gas or electric heaters.
• Avoid bringing wet clothes or shoes into your home.

Ventilate your home to reduce moisture build-up in the air
• Open north facing doors and windows when you are home during the day, even during the colder months.
• Use exhaust fans in areas where water vapour is created (e.g. the kitchen and bathroom).
• If all else fails, consider a heat recovery ventilation system to replace stale damp air with fresh air.

Maintain an even inside temperature throughout your home to prevent moist air from condensing onto cold areas like windows
• Insulate ceilings, floors and, where possible, walls.
• Improve the insulative properties of your windows by closing your curtains/blinds as soon as the sun goes down each day.
• Replace any thin or unlined window coverings with quality thermal or lined curtains or roman blinds.
• Fit your curtains or blinds as close to the wall as possible to trap air against the window and take your curtains all the way to the floor to prevent air circulating out from under the curtain
• If you are planning any home renovations, consider upgrading joinery to double glazing or installing a retrofitted secondary glazing.

Image
1426 days ago

Experience NZ like never before

Stuff Travel

Save up to 25% off 5 / 7 / 9 or 13 day tours of North and South Islands, exclusive to Stuff Travel.

From renowned operator Kirra Tours, these land cruising packages will leave you in awe of New Zealand’s spectacular landscapes, heritage and culture, impressing even the most discerning … View more
Save up to 25% off 5 / 7 / 9 or 13 day tours of North and South Islands, exclusive to Stuff Travel.

From renowned operator Kirra Tours, these land cruising packages will leave you in awe of New Zealand’s spectacular landscapes, heritage and culture, impressing even the most discerning traveller, and creating plenty of memories and stories to share for years to come.

Tours include a private luxury coach, rail tickets, tour guide, some meals and more.

Buy now, book dates later with a NZ based travel concierge.
Find out more

Image
1426 days ago

Get deck-orating with Resene!

Resene

Get your place in shape for the holidays and summer. One of the easiest jobs to get done quickly is to clean and rejuvenate your deck and outdoor furniture. Simply wash down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash then finish with the Resene Woodsman range of wood stains. Choose from a wide range of … View moreGet your place in shape for the holidays and summer. One of the easiest jobs to get done quickly is to clean and rejuvenate your deck and outdoor furniture. Simply wash down with Resene Timber and Deck Wash then finish with the Resene Woodsman range of wood stains. Choose from a wide range of colours, from traditional wood stains to a beachy whitewashed finish. Or go for the natural look with Resene Furniture and Decking Oil.

If you’re planning on a dark colour, remember to choose a Resene CoolColour version of your colour. This will help to reflect more heat to keep your deck and furniture cooler and more comfortable to walk or sit on.

Visit your local Resene ColorShop and see the huge range of options on their woodcare stand to help you bring out the best in your home.
Find your Resene ColorShop

Image
Top