Normandale, Lower Hutt

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1410 days ago

Chaffinch - a common garden bird

Louise from Woburn

Chaffinch/pahirini (Fringilla coelebs) are a common backyard bird with the male sporting a rusty-red breast and a steel-grey hood. They love a bit of bird seed and will quite happily feed with the sparrows. Interestingly, during the winter before they pair up for breeding, the males and females … View moreChaffinch/pahirini (Fringilla coelebs) are a common backyard bird with the male sporting a rusty-red breast and a steel-grey hood. They love a bit of bird seed and will quite happily feed with the sparrows. Interestingly, during the winter before they pair up for breeding, the males and females separate to hang out in little groups of their own sex - hence the Latin name "coelebs" meaning bachelor. They pair up in September with the male first establishing his territory (in my garden this is one side of the back lawn from the shed to the back deck) and commencing singing to attract his mate. I'm pleased to report that he was successful and his lady love has built a fine little nest in one of the camellias. When the chicks have fledged both parents will look after them and feed them. The pair will stay together until March when they will separate to join their own little same sex groups again. I read in a UK birding report that they usually keep the same partners for life, with the female returning to the same territory in Spring to find her mate. I couldn't find anything one way or another to say it was the same in New Zealand, but I assume it would be.

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1416 days ago

Kākāpō crowned winner of Bird of the Year 2020

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

The kākāpō has been crowned Bird of the Year in an election that featured a delayed start, alliances, and voter fraud.
This is the flightless parrot’s second win, also taking the title in 2008.
Throughout the two-week voting period, the Antipodean Albatross topped the leaderboard with the most… View more
The kākāpō has been crowned Bird of the Year in an election that featured a delayed start, alliances, and voter fraud.
This is the flightless parrot’s second win, also taking the title in 2008.
Throughout the two-week voting period, the Antipodean Albatross topped the leaderboard with the most number one votes.
But the kākāpō, the original “okay boomer” for the male’s deep booming call, bounded into the lead with most votes overall once the preferential voting system was applied.
Top 10
Kākāpō, Toroa/Antipodean Albatross, Kakaruia/Black Robin,Kārearea/New Zealand Falcon, Kererū, Pohowera/Banded Dotterel, Kākā, Ruru/Morepork, Whio/Blue Duck, Pīwakawaka/Fantail.
The yellow and black hihi, the only bird to mate face-to-face, won the endorsement of Adult Toy Megastore, and that of the Deputy Prime Minister, The Wellington City Council, the Wellington Phoenix football team, and the Central Pulse netball team.

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1412 days ago

TV studio tower to become apartments

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Lower Hutt's inconic Avalon Studios tower is going to be converted into apartments.
Developer Ian Cassels is backing a $20m redevelopment of the Avalon Studios tower into a 68 unit apartment block.
Initially eight levels would be developed, each with five single and two double bedroom units. … View more
Lower Hutt's inconic Avalon Studios tower is going to be converted into apartments.
Developer Ian Cassels is backing a $20m redevelopment of the Avalon Studios tower into a 68 unit apartment block.
Initially eight levels would be developed, each with five single and two double bedroom units. Another floor would be released later with 12 apartments.
While prices were yet to be finalised, single-bedroom units would be priced for first home buyers “in the $500,000s”.

1410 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Jed

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

My ideal home would have a big garden for me to explore and potter around while supervised.
I would suit a family that has had dogs before as I am a big boy with a bit of strength. I would love to go for walks with my new family and check out this wonderful country we live in.
When I have nothing… View more
My ideal home would have a big garden for me to explore and potter around while supervised.
I would suit a family that has had dogs before as I am a big boy with a bit of strength. I would love to go for walks with my new family and check out this wonderful country we live in.
When I have nothing to do I have shown the ability to escape out of medium to high fencing so I need a plan to be contained during the day that doesn't involve being tied or tethered. Going to work with my new human companion would be great for me.
I am not suited to a home with/next to cats and other small animals or livestock.
If you are looking for a bigger dog that is pretty laid back then make an appointment to come and meet me.

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1410 days ago

Kids should be heard

White Ribbon

Kids ask us for attention because they are learning how to navigate the world and build relationships - they need to be able to speak and be listened to so they can learn and grow. Challenge the #outdated rules - it’s time to shake off the old and reveal the new. Find out more

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1411 days ago

Free 3-seater couch

Karyn from Alicetown

Brown material, 3 seater, cat has scratched the corners so damaged but still comfortable and has a lot of years left in it. Cannot deliver so you'd have to pick up.

Free

1411 days ago

Do you need Regular Gardening Maintenance or Landscaping?

Joshua from Kelburn Price Smart Landscaping and Gardeners

Do you often find your garden looking less than satisfactory? We work within your budget, and only when you need us, to ensure your garden is looking tidy all year round.
For a reasonable estimate, Give us a call at 027 548 9818 Or Visit www.pricesmart.co.nz...

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1411 days ago

Pet of the Day: Phoenix

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

This weeks Pet of the Day is 10 month-old Phoenix, enjoying a Wellington bush walk with Priyal Patel
The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with… View more
This weeks Pet of the Day is 10 month-old Phoenix, enjoying a Wellington bush walk with Priyal Patel
The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo.

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1411 days ago

Check, Choose, Complete

The team from Hutt City Council

Be sure to check your November Hutt City Council rates bill to find out how to choose your bins ahead of next year's upgrade to rubbish and recycling 👍

#CheckChooseComplete

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1411 days ago

Open Days on draft Heritage Policy

Hutt City Council

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.
Have your say

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1411 days ago

Ten Dollar Tickets

Orchestra Wellington

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 more
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 for the little ones.

Sunday 13 December 2.30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Pre-concert entertainment from 1.30pm in the Renouf Foyer.
Buy tickets now

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1412 days ago

Feathered Friday Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

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 more
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 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.

1412 days ago

Community Car Rally for Charity

Monica from Waterloo

Hi Neighbours! Want to find out more about the lower Hutt Valley and its history? Join us for this wonderful car rally around the valley from Petone to Stokes Valley. Saturday Nov 28th 3pm. Meeting at 190 Naenae Road (carparks available). Click this link to get your tickets … View moreHi Neighbours! Want to find out more about the lower Hutt Valley and its history? Join us for this wonderful car rally around the valley from Petone to Stokes Valley. Saturday Nov 28th 3pm. Meeting at 190 Naenae Road (carparks available). Click this link to get your tickets www.eventbrite.co.nz... or go to Eventbrite and search 'Car Rally', $30 per car. The rally is followed by a BYO picnic and prizegiving ceremony.

Car Rally Flyer #2.pdf Download View

1412 days ago

Open Days on draft Heritage Policy

Tina Collison from Hutt City Council

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

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1412 days ago

Plastic Bottle Planters

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (The Curtain Store)

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 more
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 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...

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