Matiu/Somes Island, Lower Hutt

2872 days ago

Border tax for tourists?

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

Freedom campers pop up in the news quite often over the holiday period and usually, those stories are less than flattering. Reporter Nicholas Boyack suggests charging tourists a levy at the border to help pay for facilities the campers need. What about you? What's your opinion on freedom … View moreFreedom campers pop up in the news quite often over the holiday period and usually, those stories are less than flattering. Reporter Nicholas Boyack suggests charging tourists a levy at the border to help pay for facilities the campers need. What about you? What's your opinion on freedom campers?

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2871 days ago

Naenae kindy gets a new mural

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

Naenae Community Kindy has a bright new mural of a kaka at its gateway, thanks to local artist Joe McMenamin. Take a look!

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2872 days ago

Lower Hutt unlucky in Lotto?

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

The numbers are in and for everyone out there who plays Lotto, it looks like there's an average win rate of just over $100 per capita in Lower Hutt. How lucky have you been? Do you use lucky numbers? Take a look and see how we stack up against some of the luckier regions in the country.

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2872 days ago

Neighbours Day 2017: Our first 'New Years Resolution' winner ... and more

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for … View more
Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for you to get involved and be in to win too.
In this newsletter we have:
- Our first 'Make it a New Years Resolution' winner , and your chance to get into the next draw,
- Only 3 days till we find out who will become our First Neighbourhood Champion
- I Heart My Hood photo competition!!

Our First 'Make it a New Year's Resolution' Winner!
We all know the new years is a time for making plans for the coming year, and we have the easiest New Year's resolution yet, and you can tick off part of it pretty quickly. Just sign up and commit to getting involved in Neighbours Day. Those that do sign up go into the draw for a $100 grocery voucher - there is still a chance to win one in January and in February.
The first of our draws for the grocery voucher has been made and the winner is Stephanie Moran of Red Beach! Congratulations Stephanie!
More on the campaign and how to get involved is below!


Make it a New Year's Resolution!
Earlier this year we put it to the Neighbours Day community to vote on the best way to launch Neighbours Day 2017. The winning idea was is 'Make it a New Years Resolution', and so that is what we're rolling with. Make getting involved in Neighbours Day your New Year's Resolution.
If you or anyone else signs up for Neighbours Day 2017 between today and the 31st of January you go in a drawer to win a $100 grocery voucher. We'll be making 2 more draws, one this month and one in February.
We know there are some of you who are real champions of Neighbours Day Aotearoa, so for those that get the most people joining up we have a little incentive for you too. We've added a section in the join up page where people can mention how they heard about Neighbours Day. This is where all those awesome people you get to join up can pop your name. If you, or your organisation, come out on tops and have the most new members joining up then you will win a $100 grocery voucher as well!!! Whaaattt!! Now that will come in handy either for your awesome Neighbours Day event, or your friendly neighbourly bbq, or will pay for the TimTam's you bring when you have a cup of tea with your neighbours.
And just in case the chance to get involved in Neighbours Day and maybe win a voucher still isn't enough then how about this! - our Neighbours Day Members get tips and advice on how to make their Neighbours Day especially awesome, how and where to apply for funding or support in your community for your neighbours day activities, AND we'll be having a few more spot prize draws in the coming months that will help make your neighbours day activities even more fabulous.
Now that right there is a even more of an incentive to get either your fine self or others you know involved! So make sure you share the love and spread the word.


Neighbourhood Champions!
There are only a few days left to get your Neighbourhood Champion nominations in. Our January Neighbourhood champion gets the chance to win this beautiful pohutakawa necklace from Paul Harris Art and Design. Next month we have a lovely Orania skin care package to give our Neighbourhood Champion. So get those stories into Kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz

I Heart My Hood Photo Competition
This month we will launching the I Heart My Hood photo competition. We'll be announcing the launch date on facebook and on our website in the coming weeks.
This year we're doing it a little differently. We really want to see and hear about the people in your neighbourhood. Portraits of our neighbourhood champions, or the people that to you personify your community or 'hood'. To help focus (excuse the photography pun) we've chosen three themes.
1 - I Heart the History of My Hood
Everywhere we live has history, and stories. Do you know your hood's history? Or maybe you know someone who has lived in the community for what seems like a million years, and know the place like that back of their hand. Was your hood the birth place of the women's vote, or maybe site of the biggest lamington ever made way back in 53' ....(Yes I know, random, but honestly we're interesting in anything and everything)... We want to capture that both photographically and with a little text to accompany the image. It could be a quote, or a short version of the story that's been told. By the way - this is also an awesome way to get our older 'story tellers' involved.
2 - I Heart Diversity in my Hood
New Zealand really has become a melting pot and that brings with it the rainbow of diversity of all kinds. We want to capture some of that photographically and again with a little story, quote or text that adds to the diversity story of your community. Maybe you have the 'united nations' living on one street, maybe your neighbourhood pot luck dinners are better and more interesting than an international food fair could every dream of! We want to see and hear about it.
3 - I Heart My Healthy Hood
With our clean green image, amazing fresh foods, picture perfect outdoor environment, we know there are neighbourhoods out there that personify 'health'. Is your neighbourhood or neighbour one of them? It could be through a neighbourhood walking group, or a 'from garden to plate thanks to the shared neighbourhood community garden' kind of thing. It might be a neighbourhood that has committed to getting the kids off screens and outside, or maybe its a whole street of cross fit power vegans ..... probably not ... but you never know. What ever it is, we want to see and hear about it with a great photo of the people involved, and a great quote or (short) story to go with it.
So get snapping and chatting. We'll have more information on I Heart My Hood available on facebook and on our website.
We're starting 2017 with a hiss and a roar. We hope you are too!

Make sure you sign up for Neighbours Day 2017. If you get a sudden urge to share Neighbours Day on social media, don't fight that urge and use - #neighboursday . If you have some awesome neighbourly stories feel free to email them to us at kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz.

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2873 days ago

Back at work? Make a plan

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
View more
If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
getthru.govt.nz...
Visit www.happens.nz... for more hints and tips.

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2873 days ago

Porirua Harbour Update:

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Good news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water … View moreGood news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water quality results

2873 days ago

Porirua Harbour Update:

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Good news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water … View moreGood news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water quality results

2873 days ago

Short film celebrates Avalon Park upgrade

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

Hi everyone,
Take a look at the documentary made by Louise Black, Wai Latimer and Jo Taptiklis, three Learning Connexion film students. They filmed both the construction and opening of the Avalon Park upgrade and explored the history of the area to make the five minute film. What do you think of … View more
Hi everyone,
Take a look at the documentary made by Louise Black, Wai Latimer and Jo Taptiklis, three Learning Connexion film students. They filmed both the construction and opening of the Avalon Park upgrade and explored the history of the area to make the five minute film. What do you think of it?

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2875 days ago

Toxic Algae

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has … View more
Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has changed. Most of the algae is a species of diatom – slimy but harmless. The close-up below shows a rock that is mostly covered by the diatom species – it’s yellowy/green and bumpy in appearance. You can also see a couple of patches of Phormidium or toxic algae. In the other picture you can clearly see small patches of toxic algae (the dark brown/black patches) amongst large patches of diatom growth.

It’s safe to use the river, but please remain cautious if you are taking your dog down there and make sure they don’t eat anything suspicious (even a small amount of toxic algae can be lethal if they eat it).

On the western side of the region, there is a water quality warning in place for Porirua Harbour at the Rowing Club. The latest sample recorded high bacterial counts which means the site is currently unsafe for swimming. This may have been due to recent rain in the area – rainfall flushes contaminants from land into waterways and we advise you not to swim for at least two days after rainfall, even if a site generally has good water quality.

Don't forget to keep up-to-date with the latest water quality warnings by visiting our interactive water quality map at bit.ly...

2875 days ago

Toxic Algae

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has … View more
Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has changed. Most of the algae is a species of diatom – slimy but harmless. The close-up below shows a rock that is mostly covered by the diatom species – it’s yellowy/green and bumpy in appearance. You can also see a couple of patches of Phormidium or toxic algae. In the other picture you can clearly see small patches of toxic algae (the dark brown/black patches) amongst large patches of diatom growth.

It’s safe to use the river, but please remain cautious if you are taking your dog down there and make sure they don’t eat anything suspicious (even a small amount of toxic algae can be lethal if they eat it).

On the western side of the region, there is a water quality warning in place for Porirua Harbour at the Rowing Club. The latest sample recorded high bacterial counts which means the site is currently unsafe for swimming. This may have been due to recent rain in the area – rainfall flushes contaminants from land into waterways and we advise you not to swim for at least two days after rainfall, even if a site generally has good water quality.

Don't forget to keep up-to-date with the latest water quality warnings by visiting our interactive water quality map at bit.ly...

2877 days ago

Wainuiomata River clean and green

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

Afternoon everyone,
Wainuiomata River was recently named the most improved river in the Wellington region at the NZ River Awards. Have you been to the river lately? What do you think?

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2878 days ago

Fancy a nice walk?

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

Happy New Year Hutt folk!
Recovering from the holidays and all that good food? Why not check out some of the Lower Hutt's walking tracks, like the Te Whiti Riser?

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2905 days ago

Connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people… View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

Age Concern New Zealand will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

1. Invite your older neighbour to share a meal or a cup of tea
Christmas can be a tough time for older people, especially those who live alone. Invite your older neighbour over for a meal this holiday season. This will give you a chance to build a relationship with them.

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2898 days ago

Gold star for healthy habits

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

Afternoon everyone,
The children at Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Petone have been hard at work, learning all about how to live a healthy lifestyle. They've been growing veges and dancing around to some great tunes to keep fit. What do you think? How much do your kids know about staying … View more
Afternoon everyone,
The children at Barnardos Early Learning Centre in Petone have been hard at work, learning all about how to live a healthy lifestyle. They've been growing veges and dancing around to some great tunes to keep fit. What do you think? How much do your kids know about staying healthy?

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2884 days ago

Setting sail

Eleanor Wenman Reporter from The Hutt News

Hi Hutt folks!
Two Lower Hutt residents are gearing up to head to Japan as part of the Ship for World Youth programme. A team of Kiwis will be representing us and meeting other youth leaders from all over the world. What do you think they'll learn? They're in the middle of fundraising, … View more
Hi Hutt folks!
Two Lower Hutt residents are gearing up to head to Japan as part of the Ship for World Youth programme. A team of Kiwis will be representing us and meeting other youth leaders from all over the world. What do you think they'll learn? They're in the middle of fundraising, so any donations to their givealittle page would be appreciated: givealittle.co.nz...

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