Korokoro, Lower Hutt

87 days ago

Poll: Should employees be able to work from home?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).

Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from … View more
At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).

Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from home? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.

Image
Should employees be able to work from home?
  • 72.4% Yes
    72.4% Complete
  • 24.3% No
    24.3% Complete
  • 3.3% Other - I'll share below
    3.3% Complete
3216 votes
80 days ago

Tray chic

Resene

Repurpose an old picture frame and serve up a message of love to family or friends with Resene colours, Resene FX Blackboard Paint and Resene FX Paint Effects Medium.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Find out more

Image
81 days ago

Gardening and section clearing

Ian Hamilton from Natures choice gardening services - Lower Hutt

Hello ! are your Gardens looking like a war zone? We can help, new gardens old gardens big projects and small message us now!
Natures choice Gardening
0272430951

82 days ago

Join us at our Walk in Wednesdays

Bob Scott Retirement Village

Join us any Wednesday in October and November, 10am - 3pm and experience the Ryman lifestyle that awaits.

Learn about our living options, tour our show homes and discover the wonderful amenities on offer.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Image
82 days ago

Irish Interest Group - Lower North Island Education Day

Donna Bridgeman from Irish Interest Group - Lower North Island

The date for your diary for the next Irish Interest Group Lower North Island Education Day is 12 October. The Programme for the day is
10.00 a.m Doors open - Registration and coffee/tea
10.30 a.m Graeme McVerry - Mapping Your Irish Ancestors

11.15 a.m Break
11.30 a.m 1st talk by Sean … View more
The date for your diary for the next Irish Interest Group Lower North Island Education Day is 12 October. The Programme for the day is
10.00 a.m Doors open - Registration and coffee/tea
10.30 a.m Graeme McVerry - Mapping Your Irish Ancestors

11.15 a.m Break
11.30 a.m 1st talk by Sean Brosnahan - Irish Immigration in the 19th century: New Zealand and the Global Diaspora
12.30 - Lunch
1.15 p.m - Sean Brosnahan's 2nd talk - An Gorta Mor: The Shadow of the Great Irish Famine and New Zealand's Pioneer Generation
2.15 p.m - Q & A Forum
3.00 PM CLOSE

Image
83 days ago

Kids Go Free in the holidays

Tākina

Are you looking for a fun and educational activity for the school holidays? Bring your little ones to Tākina! They can explore the Free Science Discovery Zone, where they’ll have an interactive science journey.

Plus, don’t miss the chance for kids to go Free to the Doctor Who Worlds of … View more
Are you looking for a fun and educational activity for the school holidays? Bring your little ones to Tākina! They can explore the Free Science Discovery Zone, where they’ll have an interactive science journey.

Plus, don’t miss the chance for kids to go Free to the Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder exhibit with each adult ticket. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young minds to dive into the world of science fiction and real science. Make the most of these holidays with a visit to Tākina!

More information about the free science activity

Limited capacity. Get your free Kid ticket with each Adult pass here
Book Now

Image
91 days ago

Poll: How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

For most of us, seeing a friendly doggo while out and about instantly brings a smile to our faces. But how do you feel about cafes welcoming pups inside?

Cast a vote and share your thoughts below.

Image
How do you feel about dogs being allowed indoors in cafes?
  • 26.5% I love it!
    26.5% Complete
  • 31.4% Only in designated areas
    31.4% Complete
  • 42.1% No, it should be outdoors only.
    42.1% Complete
4107 votes
85 days ago

New lottery, new home

Heart Foundation Lottery

Soak up the Marlborough sun with the Heart Foundation Lottery.

For just $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in breathtaking Blenheim.

Surrounded by stunning mountain views, this home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious open-plan kitchen,… View more
Soak up the Marlborough sun with the Heart Foundation Lottery.

For just $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in breathtaking Blenheim.

Surrounded by stunning mountain views, this home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a spacious open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area.

Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

Image
87 days ago

Shoe Rack Wanted

Caryl from Petone

Would love a shoe rack. Txt to 027 8426773

H
87 days ago

Camera bags for sale

Hans from Newlands

I have two camera bags for sale 80.00 EACH - They are in new condition.
One is a Lowe ProClassified 200- briefcase style - never used,
The second is a KATA BUMBLE Bee - used once.
These bags suit both mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
The Kata comes with a tripod strap and holder
Can be … View more
I have two camera bags for sale 80.00 EACH - They are in new condition.
One is a Lowe ProClassified 200- briefcase style - never used,
The second is a KATA BUMBLE Bee - used once.
These bags suit both mirrorless and DSLR cameras.
The Kata comes with a tripod strap and holder
Can be reached at 021448841

Price: $80

87 days ago

Volunteer in the Hutt Valley

Volunteer Wellington

Are you a friendly, mature and non-judgmental person with life and home management skills? Do you have 1-3 hours per week spare that you could use to volunteer for SuperGrans?

This organisation is looking for Community Mentors to be part of their two amazing programmes, Skills2live (for … View more
Are you a friendly, mature and non-judgmental person with life and home management skills? Do you have 1-3 hours per week spare that you could use to volunteer for SuperGrans?

This organisation is looking for Community Mentors to be part of their two amazing programmes, Skills2live (for families with children) and Whānau Connect (babies and toddlers). These programmes support those who are wanting to embark on a journey of change. Kaitiaki - mentoring will provide opportunities for people to share their life skills, experience and knowledge with individuals/whānau/families who ask for support to develop skills in the area of home management, cooking and positive parenting practices.

For more information, and to register your interest, please visit our website at:
tinyurl.com...

Image
89 days ago

An Open Letter to Nicola Willis - from a WFH Public Servant

Mike from Alicetown

Credit to u/nyk-maverick on Reddit.👍🏼👍
Worth a read as plenty in our neighbourhood are impacted by this.
_________________




Dear Nicola,

I hope this letter finds you well, preferably while sipping a coffee in your Beehive office (or your comfy home office—no judgment either … View more
Credit to u/nyk-maverick on Reddit.👍🏼👍
Worth a read as plenty in our neighbourhood are impacted by this.
_________________




Dear Nicola,

I hope this letter finds you well, preferably while sipping a coffee in your Beehive office (or your comfy home office—no judgment either way). I recently read your comments about the need for stricter guidelines on public servants working from home, and it really got me thinking—well, that and rolling my eyes so hard they almost fell out.

So, we've got a situation where the government has cut thousands of jobs, shrunk office spaces, and now they're scratching their heads wondering why Cuba Street isn't bustling. It's like setting fire to your deck chairs and then complaining that no one wants to sit outside. Maybe instead of forcing the remaining public servants to commute, we should be asking why so many are packing their bags faster than you can say "trans-Tasman bubble."

Now, I get it, you’re worried about the empty cafes, the deserted streets, and the lonely photocopiers missing their daily button-pressing action in the CBD. But making everyone march back to the office feels a bit like forcing us all to trade in our smartphones for rotary dial phones just because the phone repair shops are struggling. Sure, we might all need to know how to dial on one in case of an apocalypse, but is it really the best use of our time?

You’re right—our local businesses have taken a hit. As a nation, we’re powered by long blacks and cheese scones that are nothing short of legendary. But let's be real, blaming WFH for their struggles is like blaming Wellington’s wind for bad hair days—it’s a factor, sure, but hardly the root cause. The real villains here? sky-high rents, council policies that seem to hate cars more than Aucklanders hate traffic, and let's not forget the economic rollercoaster we've all been riding. The world’s changed, and businesses need to evolve too. Just because I don’t buy a flat white from the corner café doesn’t mean I’m not contributing to the economy—my Uber Eats driver would back me up on that one.

As for the argument about team development, Office benefits etc, I don’t know if you’ve tried it, but Zoom and Microsoft Teams has more breakout rooms than my old high school did. Community building doesn’t require a desk in a central Auckland office—it requires good communication and a supportive work culture. Many of us have managed to be more productive, more collaborative, and less stressed when we cut out that 90-minute commute on the Southern Motorway. Forcing people back just feels like trying to solve a problem that no longer exists.

There’s also this idea that young employees need to learn by "seeing and hearing" others in the office. What is this, Hogwarts? Last I checked, we’re not picking up skills via osmosis. In reality, mentoring can happen virtually, and sometimes it's even better when you're not distracted by Bob from accounting microwaving his fish lunch. And the flexibility WFH offers has helped parents, carers, and anyone with a life outside of work to maintain balance and focus on performance, rather than presenteeism.

At the core of all this, WFH isn’t just about working from our kitchens in trackies. It’s about flexibility, trust, and letting people manage their own time effectively. If we’ve learned anything from COVID, it’s that Kiwis are adaptable. We’ve been showing up, delivering results, and still finding time to pop out to the dairy. If someone’s productivity slips, that’s a conversation about performance, not about location.

And let's not forget the environmental impact. Fewer commutes mean fewer emissions. It's like we're saving the planet and our sanity at the same time. Two kiwis with one stone!

So, Nicola, before you go full "back-to-school" on our public servants, remember: happy workers are productive workers, whether they're in a cubicle or their kitchen. And if you're really worried about Wellington's cafes, maybe consider giving us all a tax-free coffee allowance instead. Instead of this one-size-fits-all approach, how about we trust our public servants (and all workers for that matter) to find what works best for them and their teams? Maybe then we can focus on real issues, like why our pavlovas keep sinking in the middle. At the end of the day, public servants—like all workers—should be trusted to deliver results, regardless of whether they’re doing it from their kitchen table or a cubicle. And if they’re still delivering, does it really matter where they do it? Nicola, the thing is, forcing everyone back to office full-time is about as popular as swapping out Marmite for Vegemite.

So, how about we make a deal? You focus on making our cities more liveable? Affordable housing, reliable public transport, vibrant community spaces – you know, the stuff that actually makes people want to be in a city. And we'll keep doing our jobs – whether that's from a city office, a suburban spare room, or a beach in the Coromandel (don't worry, we'll have our laptops).

In all seriousness, Ms. Willis, the world has changed. Work from Home is not an entitlement, but it's become a fundamental part of how many people work effectively and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Instead of clinging to outdated notions of productivity, why not embrace the future?

I’d love to hear your thoughts (ideally delivered via Zoom, so I don’t have to sit in traffic for an hour).

Sincerely,

A Public Servant Who Promises Not to Work from Their (Imaginary) Beach House

P.S. If you're ever feeling lonely in those big government buildings, may we suggest a cardboard cutout of John Key? We hear he's great at waving.

87 days ago

Double-duty seed tray

The Team from Resene ColorShop Petone

Make a handy seed tray that can also double as a mini propagator. Finish in Resene Waterborne Woodsman Silvered Grey for a sleek look. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

Image
87 days ago

DIY cornhole set

Resene

Cornhole is the perfect game for summer entertaining and the matching scoreboard helps you see who’s winning at a glance.

Finish in contrasting Resene Lustacryl colours or choose complementary colours to suit your home.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step … View more
Cornhole is the perfect game for summer entertaining and the matching scoreboard helps you see who’s winning at a glance.

Finish in contrasting Resene Lustacryl colours or choose complementary colours to suit your home.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Find out more

Image
88 days ago

Gardening section clearing

Ian Hamilton from Natures choice gardening services - Lower Hutt

Revitalise your outdoor space this spring with our expert gardening services!

At Natures choice Gardening we specialise in transforming gardens into blooming paradises. Whether you need landscape design, planting, or maintenance, our dedicated team is here to help your garden flourish.

? … View more
Revitalise your outdoor space this spring with our expert gardening services!

At Natures choice Gardening we specialise in transforming gardens into blooming paradises. Whether you need landscape design, planting, or maintenance, our dedicated team is here to help your garden flourish.

? What We Offer:
Customized garden designs
Seasonal planting and maintenance
Flower bed installations
Organic gardening solutions
? Get 10% Off Your First Service!
Embrace the beauty of spring with a stunning garden. Contact us today for a free consultation!
? 0272430951
? www.natureschioce.co.nz...
? Wellington wide

Rubbish removal
Weed spraying
Gorse!
Planting new Gardens
Quick the house is forsale and the Gardens a mess!

Top