Matiu/Somes Island, Lower Hutt

1583 days ago

Missing woman in Miramar

Reporter Community News

Police are seeking the public’s help in finding Ioanna Siatiras, 82, who has been reported missing from her home in Miramar.
She was last seen around 9:30pm on Thursday near New World Miramar.

Ioanna is described as 5’5, of medium build and likely wearing black. Her family and Police are … View more
Police are seeking the public’s help in finding Ioanna Siatiras, 82, who has been reported missing from her home in Miramar.
She was last seen around 9:30pm on Thursday near New World Miramar.

Ioanna is described as 5’5, of medium build and likely wearing black. Her family and Police are concerned for her welfare and want to make sure she is safe, so are asking anyone who has seen her to contact Police immediately.
If you have any information about her whereabouts please call Police on 105 quoting job number P043627041.

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1582 days ago

Looking for gardening support?

Yates NZ

Join the Yates Growing Community – a free online blog to share successes, get advice & win prizes in fun challenges along the way!

A great place for gardeners of all skill levels, including newbies, to come together. You just need a passion for gardening, and a willingness to share your … View more
Join the Yates Growing Community – a free online blog to share successes, get advice & win prizes in fun challenges along the way!

A great place for gardeners of all skill levels, including newbies, to come together. You just need a passion for gardening, and a willingness to share your journey.

The current challenge running is the Vegie Growing Challenge, and there are over $4000 worth of Go Gardening vouchers and Yates goodies up for grabs
Join the community

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1583 days ago

Will anyone want to live in Wellington City?

Reporter Community News

Young people will not want to live in Wellington if the city’s housing crisis is not fixed, a frustrated councillor has told colleagues.

As Wellington City Council's six-month Housing Action Plan report came to the table at its strategy and policy committee meeting on Wednesday, the draft … View more
Young people will not want to live in Wellington if the city’s housing crisis is not fixed, a frustrated councillor has told colleagues.

As Wellington City Council's six-month Housing Action Plan report came to the table at its strategy and policy committee meeting on Wednesday, the draft spatial plan, social housing and affordability became hot topics.

Councillor Tamatha Paul warned her colleagues that a change in attitude was needed if the city is to prosper.

"If we want to keep [Wellington] grey and dull and boring, and if we want to keep going the way we're going with the debate we’re having then it’s quickly going to be the city no one wants to live in, especially not young people.

We don't fix housing affordability by having no supply – that doesn’t make any sense to me and to me, it's making the problem of social housing worse because we’re pricing people out."

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1584 days ago

Have you seen any for rooks?

Reporter Community News

If you hear the sound “Kaah, kaah" the regional council wants to hear from you. It could be the harsh call of rooks, a pest bird that nests in rural areas during spring.

Rooks are an invasive species that target agricultural crops. Every Year, our biosecurity team carry out surveys and … View more
If you hear the sound “Kaah, kaah" the regional council wants to hear from you. It could be the harsh call of rooks, a pest bird that nests in rural areas during spring.

Rooks are an invasive species that target agricultural crops. Every Year, our biosecurity team carry out surveys and control to prevent these birds from harming our environment and economic wellbeing.

If you think you’ve seen this large, glossy, purplish-black bird on your property, please cal the regional council on 0800 496 734 or email pest.animals@gw.govt.nz.

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1586 days ago

Poll: Do you support Matariki becoming a public holiday?

Reporter Community News

Labour is promising to make Matariki New Zealand’s twelfth public holiday. It would be the first new public holiday since the Third Labour Government made Waitangi Day a public holiday in 1973, although then Prime Minister Norman Kirk called it “New Zealand Day”.

Please mark any comments Not… View more
Labour is promising to make Matariki New Zealand’s twelfth public holiday. It would be the first new public holiday since the Third Labour Government made Waitangi Day a public holiday in 1973, although then Prime Minister Norman Kirk called it “New Zealand Day”.

Please mark any comments Not For Publication if you do not want to be quoted in a story.

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Do you support Matariki becoming a public holiday?
  • 65.2% Yes
    65.2% Complete
  • 34.8% No
    34.8% Complete
437 votes
1583 days ago

Have you ever been really hungry?

Sisters of Compassion

The Compassion Soup Kitchen has been feeding hungry Wellingtonians since 1901.

At the moment, the demand is greater than it has been for a very long time. People are suddenly finding themselves unable to make ends meet, facing job losses and reduced hours. On average, we’re serving 150 meals,… View more
The Compassion Soup Kitchen has been feeding hungry Wellingtonians since 1901.

At the moment, the demand is greater than it has been for a very long time. People are suddenly finding themselves unable to make ends meet, facing job losses and reduced hours. On average, we’re serving 150 meals, six days a week, to both new and familiar faces.

Help out those who are doing it tough during the pandemic, donate to our Annual Appeal today!
Donate now

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1583 days ago

Was Bill Sutch a spy?

Reporter Community News

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 more
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 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.

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1584 days ago

Poll: Should we ditch Labour Day for Matariki?

Reporter Community News

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 more
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 an existing holiday like Labour Day.
That is something the Labour Party is unlikely to agree with but what do you think?

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Should we ditch Labour Day for Matariki?
  • 18% Yes
    18% Complete
  • 82% No
    82% Complete
735 votes
1583 days ago

Son comes to rescue of pensioner about to lose his home

Reporter Community News

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 more
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 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.”

1583 days ago

University meeting abandoned after online hack

Reporter Community News

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.

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1592 days ago

How do you want to see Hutt City develop?

Reporter Community News

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 more
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 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."

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1583 days ago

Love daffodils? Find your favourite variety here

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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.

1583 days ago

Cancer Rehabilitation Awareness Week

Reporter Community News

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 more
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 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.

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1583 days ago

Hutt voters could ditch FFP

Reporter Community News

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 more
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 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.

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1584 days ago

Poll: Should we ban gangs?

Reporter Community News

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 more
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 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?

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Should we ban gangs?
  • 83.6% Yes
    83.6% Complete
  • 16.4% No
    16.4% Complete
286 votes
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