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We can thank Wellington carpenter Samuel Parnell for the the eight hour day and our annual Labour Day holiday.
It has been held on the fourth Monday of every October since 1910. National Leader Judith Collins, however, has suggested that if we want Matarki as a public holiday, we should get rid of … View moreWe can thank Wellington carpenter Samuel Parnell for the the eight hour day and our annual Labour Day holiday.
It has been held on the fourth Monday of every October since 1910. National Leader Judith Collins, however, has suggested that if we want Matarki as a public holiday, we should get rid of an existing holiday like Labour Day.
That is something the Labour Party is unlikely to agree with but what do you think?
A pensioner about to lose his home for unpaid rates is resting easy after his son made an arrangement with the council that wanted him out.
Stuff reported on Thursday that 75-year-old retired engineer Justin Gregory was facing the loss of his house due to unpaid rates.
His home was one of two … View moreA pensioner about to lose his home for unpaid rates is resting easy after his son made an arrangement with the council that wanted him out.
Stuff reported on Thursday that 75-year-old retired engineer Justin Gregory was facing the loss of his house due to unpaid rates.
His home was one of two advertised as up for sale after Napier City Council gained High Court orders under the Local Government (Rating) Act 2002.
Another homeowner, Sharon McCleary, was also facing the loss of her home.
By mid afternoon, relatives of McCleary and Gregory, had contacted the council.
A council spokeswoman said “we are pleased that family members of both Mr Gregory and Ms McCleary have been in contact with council, and we are hopeful that a good outcome can be reached for everyone involved.”
It has taken nearly 50 years but a new book on Bill Sutch is sure to spark debate in to an old controversy.
In September 1974, Bill Sutch was arrested and charged under the Official Secrets Act 1951, after a series of clandestine meetings with KGB agent Dimitri Rasgovorov, an official at the … View moreIt has taken nearly 50 years but a new book on Bill Sutch is sure to spark debate in to an old controversy.
In September 1974, Bill Sutch was arrested and charged under the Official Secrets Act 1951, after a series of clandestine meetings with KGB agent Dimitri Rasgovorov, an official at the Soviet Union's embassy, in Wellington.
He was subsequently acquitted but documents later found in the KGB archive suggested he was a Soviet agent.
His son-in-law, Keith Ovenden, has now written a book, Bill & Shirley: A Memoir, looking at the life of Sutch and his wife Shirley Smith. Smith was a prominent lawyer and the first woman in New Zealand to be a full member of a university law faculty.
Victoria University students’ association (VUWSA) has had their online annual general meeting hacked, with an unknown intruder sharing “racist, homophobic, and graphic content”.
The AGM was abandoned after the screens were hacked and distressing images and messages were streamed.
Lower Hutt residents are to have a say on what the city will look like in the years ahead.
Hutt City is in the initial stage of reviewing it's District Plan – the rule book for managing land use and development in the city. The plan covers everything from the height of neighboring … View moreLower Hutt residents are to have a say on what the city will look like in the years ahead.
Hutt City is in the initial stage of reviewing it's District Plan – the rule book for managing land use and development in the city. The plan covers everything from the height of neighboring properties to how to minimise the impact of climate change.
The plan also sets the rules for developers looking to build infill housing and mutli-storey buildings.
Hutt City Council Chief Executive Jo Miller says the new District Plan will affect every person and every business in the city.
"Tell us how you would you like to see the city develop over the next 20 years."
There are literally thousands of daffodils here, where Ian Riddell has spent over 25 years in the business, from preparing the soil and planting bulbs to harvesting flowers and selling them.
One in three people are affected by cancer in New Zealand. It is the leading cause of death, and although survival rates have improved with better treatment options, many people miss out on rehabilitation.
Often those diagnosed are not aware of resources available to manage pain and improve their … View moreOne in three people are affected by cancer in New Zealand. It is the leading cause of death, and although survival rates have improved with better treatment options, many people miss out on rehabilitation.
Often those diagnosed are not aware of resources available to manage pain and improve their overall quality of life. Kiely Pepper was seeing the Petone physiotherapist after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
She had chemotherapy-induced pain and weakness in her hands and feet, pins and needles and reduced joint awareness, and crippling fatigue. For five years Kiely participated in regular rehabilitation, and two years ago, Kiely and her friends competed in a water sports event, and the same year her dragon boating team, Can Survive, finished second in Florence.
The following year, Kiely took part in wheelchair basketball and indoor rowing at the Invictus Games in Australia, even fitting in a chat with Prince Harry between cycling events.
This week, September 7 -13, is Cancer Rehabilitation Awareness Week, where people are encouraged to spread the word about the resources available to help recovery.
Lower Hutt voters will decide whether to ditch the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system at the next local body election.
Councillors resolved to hold a referendum between the status quo and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
Hutt City Council electoral officer Bruce Hodgins said … View moreLower Hutt voters will decide whether to ditch the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system at the next local body election.
Councillors resolved to hold a referendum between the status quo and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system.
Hutt City Council electoral officer Bruce Hodgins said councils had the option to review their voting systems two years before an election. The council’s last electoral reform poll was in 2003, he said.
Holding the referendum at the same time as the elections would spread the cost of the exercise and reduce expenditure from $175,000 to $30,000.
Stuff movie reviewer Greame Tuckett loved Savage and suggested it is a film all New Zealanders should see.
"Savage is, in its best moments, a stunning achievement. And it is never less than heartfelt and engaging. Very recommended."
Directed by Sam Kelly, it takes a look at the life of … View moreStuff movie reviewer Greame Tuckett loved Savage and suggested it is a film all New Zealanders should see.
"Savage is, in its best moments, a stunning achievement. And it is never less than heartfelt and engaging. Very recommended."
Directed by Sam Kelly, it takes a look at the life of gang leader Moses. Set in Wellington in the 1980s, Kelly suggests that we can trace the emergence of gangs in New Zealand to institutions like the Epuni Boys Home in Lower Hutt, where physical and sexual abuse was rife.
Tuckett was particularly impressed by the way Savage gets "behind the masks of gang life and talked to the lost boys and mutilated men" in gangs throughout New Zealand.
One of the highlights was the performance of James Matamua, who was discovered in a Upper Hutt boxing gym.
The movie will inevitably raises questions about attitudes to gangs and whether politicians should take a tougher approach. Tell us what you think?
As we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.
Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental … View moreAs we start tending to our gardens and planning what to grow for the warmer months ahead, perhaps consider if there's something else you should be growing in your community such as stronger connections to your neighbours.
Research shows that loneliness is strongly associated with low mental health + well-being. Whether you have a wide social network or prefer to only have a few close friends, joining Neighbourhood Support is a great way to feel supported and connected to those nearby. You never know when you might need a little help from a local friend!
Join or setup a group for FREE by getting in touch with us here...
Hi neighbours,
A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.
Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new … View moreHi neighbours,
A move to free up more land for new builds is likely to see fewer driveways and garages in modern housing, in a move some say could have New Zealand looking like Coronation Street.
Councils across the country must scrap planning rules that require car parks to be put down near new housing or business developments, under newly released housing guidelines.
The change comes as the Government looks to encourage development, in part by freeing up land held up by car parks, under its new National Policy Statement for urban development.
Property developer Phil Robinson said scrapping car park rules was a “big change”, but he was unsure if it was a “big win”.
What do you think of having more new builds in your area with fewer driveways and garages?
Asafo Aumua once ate 16 pies for breakfast but it has not stopped him from becoming an All Black.
Aumua achieved that particular feat, one pie for every year of his age, when in the first XV at St Pat’s Silverstream in Upper Hutt.
The 23-year-old played well for the for the Hurricanes in 2020 … View moreAsafo Aumua once ate 16 pies for breakfast but it has not stopped him from becoming an All Black.
Aumua achieved that particular feat, one pie for every year of his age, when in the first XV at St Pat’s Silverstream in Upper Hutt.
The 23-year-old played well for the for the Hurricanes in 2020 and on Sunday was chosen in Ian Foster's All Black squad.
Aumua grew up in Naenae and plays for Avalon
Wellington’s predator-free vision is a step closer to reality, thanks to a major funding boost announced today.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced a further $7.6m in investment over the next five years at Otari-Wilton’s Bush in Wellington on Monday. The investment was expected to … View moreWellington’s predator-free vision is a step closer to reality, thanks to a major funding boost announced today.
Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced a further $7.6m in investment over the next five years at Otari-Wilton’s Bush in Wellington on Monday. The investment was expected to create 42 new jobs.
The money would come from the Government’s company, Predator Free 2050, and matches similar investment from Wellington City Council and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
“So I would say it’s possible I might have the most plants per square metre,” she quips.
Hi neighbours,
Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.
The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.… View moreHi neighbours,
Labour will make Matariki New Zealand's 12th public holiday from 2022 if re-elected, Jacinda Ardern has announced.
The new winter public holiday would fall at some point during the Matariki period, with an expectation that it would always happen on either a Monday or a Friday.
The policy announcement follows a series of public campaigns for Matariki, which acts as the Māori New Year, to be recognised.
We want to hear your thoughts about Matariki becoming a public holiday. Do you support the idea, or are you against it? Perhaps you have a counter proposal.
Share your thoughts here.
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