Longer days, shorter sprinkler use
Residential garden watering restrictions are now in place and will be for the duration of daylight saving months (30 September 2018-7 April 2019) in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington. Upper Hutt garden watering restrictions apply all year round.
These restrictions allow for the use of:
- A single watering system (sprinkler, irrigation system, soaker hose, or unattended hose) between 6-8am and 7-9pm.
- On allocated watering days:
o Even-numbered houses on even dates of the month (2nd, 4th, 16th etc.)
o Odd-numbered houses on odd dates of the month (1st, 3rd, 11th etc.)
These are base-level restrictions that apply every year, and can be increased depending on demand and supply around the region.
“It can seem a bit early to be introducing watering restrictions, but it’s never too early to get in the habit of watching every drop,” says Alex van Paassen, Wellington Water’s manager for community engagement.
“We rely on rivers and the Waiwhetu Aquifer for our regular water supply, and conditions can change quickly. While we do have the Te Marua storage lakes as back-up, these have to get us through the whole summer, and if we have another hot dry season like last year, we may need to increase restrictions.”
“If we all do our bit to reduce our demand, it will ease pressure on our supply and storage.”
For tips on how to conserve water as we enter the summer months check out: www.wellingtonwater.co.nz...
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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84.6% Yes
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14% No
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1.4% 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.