Wastewater overflows - Hutt River
For the next 48 hours, due to wastewater overflows, we advise no recreational water activities such as Swimming, Kayaking or Canoeing in two locations along the Hutt River (south of Melling bridge and Silverstream).
On Thursday 5 July a small wastewater leak occurred near Melling Train Station, which led to an overflow of wastewater into the stormwater network, resulting in wastewater entering into the Hutt River.
Because of heavy rain over the weekend we were unable to repair the leak immediately. In order to carry out the repair, the wastewater had to be diverted to the Silverstream wastewater storage tank.
This tank was already full due to the heavy rain over the weekend, resulting in wastewater overflowing from the storage tank for a short period of time this morning into the Hutt River at Silverstream.
Repairs have been carried out at Melling today, and there have been no further overflows into the Hutt River at this location. Wastewater is no longer being to diverted to Silverstream, and the wastewater overflow has stopped.
If you have been in contact with the Hutt River, at either location, during the time of the wastewater overflows, please contact your doctor or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 if you become unwell.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.2% Yes
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13.5% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
scumbags
There are some really awful people around at the moment. This is what happened on Sunday.
We live in Hinemoa Street opposite the Waiwhetu Stream. At around 3.40 in the afternoon I was looking out my window and saw a car pull up and start to feed the geese and ducks out the window. Then The passenger an asian man jumped out and threw himself onto a goose. he picked it up and put it the boot of the car.
I immediately ran over and stood in front of his car to stop him moving I also called my husband to help. A lovely man was riding his bike and saw it and stopped to help me. The driver tried to drive into me but I didnt move. He tried telling us it was his pet. These are wild geese.
They had a cage in the boot and some wire all ready to catch the poor bird like they have done it before. My husband took the bird from the car and released it. I then moved out of the way and after lots of abuse from the driver they drove off threatening to come back and get more.
No one should be allowed to take these beautiful birds and certainly not like this. they are all starting to have wee babies at the moment the whole thing was so upsetting to me. Another neighbour further down the road also saw it all happen.
Please keep a look out for this car and if you see them by the stream go over and watch them lets all stop this happening.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.