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Come tell us how you want to value, protect, celebrate and conserve heritage in Te Awa Kairangi/Lower Hutt. We are hosting nine open days to discuss Council’s draft Heritage Policy – Taonga Tuku Iho.
For more information visit our website.
Just $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas Singalong. Featuring a beautiful Samoan choir, Christmas classics and a special mystery guest, this promises to be a delightful day out for all ages.
We’ll also have bouncy castles and face paints before the show … View moreJust $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas Singalong. Featuring a beautiful Samoan choir, Christmas classics and a special mystery guest, this promises to be a delightful day out for all ages.
We’ll also have bouncy castles and face paints before the show for the little ones.
Sunday 13 December 2.30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Pre-concert entertainment from 1.30pm in the Renouf Foyer.
Our Feathered Friend this week is the red-crowned parakeet/kākāriki.
The photos are from Rosa Marie who took her camera to Zealandia to see one only of the only mainland populations in New Zealand.
Although they are widely distributed throughout the New Zealand region, and are very common on … View moreOur Feathered Friend this week is the red-crowned parakeet/kākāriki.
The photos are from Rosa Marie who took her camera to Zealandia to see one only of the only mainland populations in New Zealand.
Although they are widely distributed throughout the New Zealand region, and are very common on some islands, they are almost entirely absent from the two main islands.
One exception is Wellington, where birds from Zealandia and Matiu/Somes Islands are occasionally seen in suburban gardens.
Come tell us how you want to value, protect, celebrate and conserve heritage in Te Awa Kairangi/Lower Hutt. We are hosting nine open days to discuss Council’s draft Heritage Policy – Taonga Tuku Iho.
For more information visit us here: hutt.city/taongatukuiho
Here is a fun and easy way to reuse a plastic bottle! These are the basic instructions for creating a plastic bottle planter. Creative fun for the kids and recycling those plastic bottles? We call that a win-win.
They look adorable with succulents (cactus or herbs would also work) and chances are … View moreHere is a fun and easy way to reuse a plastic bottle! These are the basic instructions for creating a plastic bottle planter. Creative fun for the kids and recycling those plastic bottles? We call that a win-win.
They look adorable with succulents (cactus or herbs would also work) and chances are the planters will last for a while.
You’ll need:
• Plastic bottles
• Sharpie
• Acrylic paint & brushes
• Pencil (for sketching details)
• Scissors
1. Use the sharpie to mark out the shape of your animal on the bottle.
2. With scissors roughly cut out your shapes. After the top of the bottle is removed go back around and clean up the edges. Wipe clean (make sure bottle is clean and dry).3. Paint the bottle with chosen shade of acrylic paint, this will take several coats. Tip: use a hair dryer to speed drying between coats. Spray paint made for plastic can be used if you already have a can at home.
4. Once dry, use the pencil to sketch the eyes, mouth, and other details, and paint over with your desired colours.
5. Fill with soil and your favourite succulents. These also make cute containers to keep anything in (pencils, food, toys, beads) as well as colourful décor for your kids’ room.
We hope you enjoyed our tutorial and if you make a one we would love to see a picture!
www.curtainclean.co.nz...
Tongariro National Park trail walk, views to die for and lots of people for and aft to keep an eye on others.
What your favourite spot?
A teenager has been threatened by a nine-year-old with a boxcutter knife outside Queensgate.
The victim's father said his son had been at the mall with two other friends when they were approached by the group on two separate occasions.
When his son went outside the mall to get his bike, they … View moreA teenager has been threatened by a nine-year-old with a boxcutter knife outside Queensgate.
The victim's father said his son had been at the mall with two other friends when they were approached by the group on two separate occasions.
When his son went outside the mall to get his bike, they were approached by the group again.
Goodwin said his son was punched in the back of the head multiple times and kicked in the legs, by the group, who demanded he hand over his bike.
A protected kererū was recently found dead with a crossbow bolt though its body in Wainuiomata.
Lower Hutt Kereru Rescue co-ordinator Hayden James was called to retrieve the bird on Tuesday.
James said the incident was the latest in a series of incidents involving cruelty to birds in Wainuiomata.
… View moreA protected kererū was recently found dead with a crossbow bolt though its body in Wainuiomata.
Lower Hutt Kereru Rescue co-ordinator Hayden James was called to retrieve the bird on Tuesday.
James said the incident was the latest in a series of incidents involving cruelty to birds in Wainuiomata.
Under the Wildlife Act, the penalty for killing protected species is up to two years in prison or a fine up to $100,000.
As we head into the eating season, you might want to think about tracking your fitness. Check out our range of wearable tech, from FitBit, Huawei and Samsung, in-store or online today. smithscity.co.nz – keeping Xmas honest.
A tribute to the late Ron Francis from his son. Richard Francis.
Ron Francis 1931-2020
Ron Francis was a citizen of Lower Hutt for 60 years and was one of the most engaged and positive people in our community, mixing a strong sense of service and unshakeable faith with big ideas and a focus on … View moreA tribute to the late Ron Francis from his son. Richard Francis.
Ron Francis 1931-2020
Ron Francis was a citizen of Lower Hutt for 60 years and was one of the most engaged and positive people in our community, mixing a strong sense of service and unshakeable faith with big ideas and a focus on “getting stuff done”.
Having survived multiple heart attacks, Ron passed away on October 25, at Hutt Hospital, aged 89.
Ron was the inspiration and administrative heft behind multiple Shapeshifter International Festival of the Arts fundraising events (raising over $300,000 for local Hutt charities) and a powerhouse for the Agape Budgeting Service (supporting over 3,000 local families to budget and access low interest loans for 30+ years), which he served for 13 years. In recent years Ron was a trustee and treasurer of the Hutt Valley Heart Trust for 15 years (raising funds in support of the Coronary Care Unit team and facilities at Hutt Hospital, as well as for cardiac event survivors in the Hutt).
His community efforts were recognised by the Mayor with a Civic Contribution Award in 2017. As a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Hutt, and foundation and life member of the Waterloo Probus Club, Ron’s many decades of service were also recognised by his peers.
Ron was an active member of the Lower Hutt Baptist Church for 60 years, which he attended with his wife Noeline.
Ron’s career encompassed 50 years as a Chartered Accountant that saw him found his own firm, Partner at a large firm and then act for many years as General Manager at Aroha Care Centre and Hospital, where he was presented with a Business Innovation Award by then Prime Minister, Jim Bolger.
Shoveler ducks/kuruwhengi (Spatula rhynchotis) are unusual looking. When I saw my first pair last year at the Hutt Estuary I had no idea what I was looking at and hurried home to consult my birding books. Their wide bills set them apart reminding me of distinguished aquiline noses. They have … View moreShoveler ducks/kuruwhengi (Spatula rhynchotis) are unusual looking. When I saw my first pair last year at the Hutt Estuary I had no idea what I was looking at and hurried home to consult my birding books. Their wide bills set them apart reminding me of distinguished aquiline noses. They have visible lamellae, like a comb, that hang down from their upper beak that they use to filter plankton, fine seeds, and other tasty titbits from the water. There is a pair I've seen a couple of times lately on the little beach behind the sea scouts at the mouth of the Hutt River, a female mallard is keeping them company, possibly as protection from the male mallards that seem to be a bit rampant at this time of year. They make an odd trio, like a sheep dog hanging out with a couple of greyhounds.
HOW DOES WOOL BIODEGRADE?
All materials of animal and vegetable origin have some degree of biodegradability, meaning that they are capable of being decomposed by the action of living organisms, such as fungi and bacteria. Wool is composed of the natural protein keratin, which is similar to the … View moreHOW DOES WOOL BIODEGRADE?
All materials of animal and vegetable origin have some degree of biodegradability, meaning that they are capable of being decomposed by the action of living organisms, such as fungi and bacteria. Wool is composed of the natural protein keratin, which is similar to the protein that makes up human hair. When keratin is broken down naturally by microorganisms, the products do not pose any environmental hazard.
WOOL READILY BIODEGRADES IN MOIST, WARM CONDITIONS
On disposal, if wool is kept warm and moist or buried in soil, fungal and bacterial growths develop which produce enzymes that digest wool. On the other hand, thanks to the unique chemical structure of keratin and wool’s tough, water-repellent outer membrane, clean and dry wool fibres do not readily degrade. This allows wool products to be resilient and long-lasting in normal conditions.
WOOL BIODEGRADES QUICKLY
Wool biodegrades readily in as little as three to four months but the rate varies with soil, climate and wool characteristics. This releases essential elements such as nitrogen, sulphur and magnesium back to the soil, able to be taken up by growing plants. Some studies found more rapid degradation after only four weeks’ burial in soils. Research has shown that processing treatments such as dyeing and anti-shrink treatment can affect the rate of biodegradation in soil, causing an increase in the initial resistance of wool fabric to degradation. However, this is a short-term effect, typically not persisting beyond eight weeks.
WOOL RETURNS ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS TO THE SOIL
On burial in soil, wool becomes a slow-release fertiliser providing nutrients for uptake and growth by other organisms. Some have even used wool fertiliser to foster herb and vegetable growth. This is known as natural closed loop recycling; restoring the initial inputs of soil and grass. Other beneficial effects of adding wool to soils include enhanced water holding capacity, improved water infiltration, soil aeration and reduced erosion. Ground-up wool carpet, when used as a fertiliser, increased the dry matter yield of grass growth by 24% to 82%.
WOOL DOES NOT ADD TO LANDFILL VOLUMES OR MICROFIBRE POLLUTION
Natural fibres biodegrade naturally in a relatively short period in soils and aquatic systems and therefore do not accumulate in landfill and oceans. Results from a University of Canterbury study demonstrate that wool degrades in a marine environment. In contrast, synthetic textiles persist for many decades and can disintegrate to small fragments. Commonly known as microplastics, or microfibres when less than 5mm in diameter, these fragments accumulate in aquatic environments and land disposal sites where they have negative effects on ecosystems when consumed by organisms. A single polyester fleece garment can produce more than 1900 fibres per wash. Ingestion has a negative impact on organisms, sometimes causing death through starvation as plastic replaces food in the stomach. Once in the food chain, microplastics potentially also affect human health via seafood consumption.
At Curtain Clean we are all about minimising waste and reducing the amount of uncompostable materials going into landfill. Keep in mind that a lot of fabrics can be washed and don't need to be thrown away! Call us on 07 579 0501 if you have something you'd like cleaned, we can treat almost all fabrics.
Reducing overflows to our local streams and rivers will protect our precious wai. 💧
We want to know how you enjoy your local streams and rivers, and your views and experiences on the impacts of wastewater overflows.
Have your say today, it's quick and easy 👇
You can still get your favourite ice- cream, paneer, handmade cheese or organic milk at Zany Zeus.
Known for its organic milk products, like ice cream and cheese, the Moera business was put into receivership last year with money owed to creditors after putting millions into a new factory in … View moreYou can still get your favourite ice- cream, paneer, handmade cheese or organic milk at Zany Zeus.
Known for its organic milk products, like ice cream and cheese, the Moera business was put into receivership last year with money owed to creditors after putting millions into a new factory in Seaview.
While the original company has been wound up, the Lower Hutt business and assets were bought in April by Zany Zeus2020 Ltd and the business continues to operate.
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