Petone, Lower Hutt

Fair play

Fair play

Whether it’s a playhouse, she shed or teenager’s sleepout, a stencil-painted floor in Resene Clockwork Orange will elevate it from meh to wow.

605 days ago

Stop Your Curtains Getting Damp and Mouldy

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (The Curtain Store)

It’s time to bid farewell to summer for another year and start facing the reality that soon it’s going to be cold and damp for a while. As we enter those colder months and condensation appears on the windows, we thought it was a good time to share some tips on preventing mould and mildew … View moreIt’s time to bid farewell to summer for another year and start facing the reality that soon it’s going to be cold and damp for a while. As we enter those colder months and condensation appears on the windows, we thought it was a good time to share some tips on preventing mould and mildew growing on your curtains.

What makes mould and mildew grow?
Interestingly, it’s not directly the condensation on your windows that causes mould and mildew because most curtains don’t come into contact with it. Mould and mildew grow when there’s moisture and warmth in the home, which condensation does contribute to.

Just like everything absorbent in your home, as temperatures go up the moisture in the air evaporates and is absorbed into the fabric. As they cool, the moisture changes back from its gaseous state to being closer to its liquid form. In absorbing this moisture they also take in any bacteria it holds. Repeated over time, this is what causes the nasty growths.

The difference between mould and mildew
Mould is a broad term that encompasses multiple identical nuclei and can grow beneath and penetrate the surface of affected material. Mildew is a type of mould that grows on the surface and can therefore be much more easily treated/removed. When it’s live, moulds are orangey or reddish in colour. The black patches we see are actually the hibernating mould spores waiting for the sun to warm them up and bring them back to life.

Where does all this moisture come from?
We live in a pretty humid climate in New Zealand at the best of times; in some areas it’s even greater. But it’s not all weather related. Cooking, showering, drying clothes, unflued gas heaters and simply breathing and existing all produce moisture content within our homes.

Preventing moisture build up and/or drying out your home
• Install a home ventilation system of some kind.
• Crack the windows a little during the day to allow a bit of cool air to flow through your home. North facing windows are best.
• Get a dehumidifier. Emptying this once a day (or more!) will really open your eyes to how much moisture is in your home. Remember the science though, you need to warm the air (and thus the moisture in it) before the dehumidifier can suck it in and remove it.
• Pop a DampRid moisture absorber container on the windowsill behind the curtains.
• Install a ShowerDome and extractor fan in the bathroom.
• Make sure your clothes dryer is vented to the outside.
• Install a rangehood in the kitchen and use lids on pots and pans.
• Change the curtain rail brackets to 80 or 100mm so the curtains are further from the walls and the windows allowing for more air circulation. Bear in mind however, this will likely lower their thermal insulating capabilities.
• Invest in double-glazing. Although this does not prevent mildew it can work to slow the onset.
• Minimise what mould growth feeds on. Clean soft furnishings regularly, clean windows and wipe down window surrounds with warm soapy water.
• Check plumbing for leaks.
• Maintaining an even inside temperature throughout the house helps stop moist air from condensing.
• Insulate well. Start with the ceilings and under floor as a priority, then the walls.
• Close curtains/blinds as soon as the sun goes down.

Don’t worry if it’s too late - Curtain Clean can treat and remove mould and mildew from your curtains. Call us on 0800 579 0501 or visit curtainclean.co.nz to find out more.

605 days ago

World Maths Day

NumberWorks'nWords Lower Hutt

Whether the actual crunching of numbers sounds exciting or scary, celebrating World Maths Day can be oodles and oodles of fun! Maths is believed by many people to be one of the hardest subjects to achieve in because of its strictness in needing correct answers, its abstract concepts, and the … View moreWhether the actual crunching of numbers sounds exciting or scary, celebrating World Maths Day can be oodles and oodles of fun! Maths is believed by many people to be one of the hardest subjects to achieve in because of its strictness in needing correct answers, its abstract concepts, and the overall stress involved in succeeding. But don’t let that be intimidating!

World Maths Day is a chance to test your skills, practice maths, and get involved in a worldwide event that celebrates the history of maths to improve the lives of students, parents, and teachers everywhere.

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605 days ago

Newsable… Worth Talking About.

Newsable

Join Emile Donovan and Imogen Wells for your daily dose of exclusives, analysis and fresh perspectives on news.

The podcast drops each weekday from 6am on newsable.co.nz or listen on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your pods.
Listen now

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605 days ago

Our Grants Round is now live!

Nikau Foundation

Applications for Nikau Foundation’s 2023 Grants Round close at midnight on Monday the 20th of March.

Nikau Foundation understands that every community organisation needs different kinds of support to grow and give back to our communities. Funding can help you pay the bills, expand key … View more
Applications for Nikau Foundation’s 2023 Grants Round close at midnight on Monday the 20th of March.

Nikau Foundation understands that every community organisation needs different kinds of support to grow and give back to our communities. Funding can help you pay the bills, expand key services, support more people in our communities or transform blue sky ideas into reality.

Whatever help your organisation needs to grow, Nikau Foundation may be able to help.
Find out more

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606 days ago

Got a business that makes your day?

Prospa

It's time to make their day in return! There's been hundreds of incredible nominations in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero Awards already - but have we got yours?

Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the … View more
It's time to make their day in return! There's been hundreds of incredible nominations in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero Awards already - but have we got yours?

Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero Awards including a incredible package worth $10,000. Just share a few words about why they make your community a better place to live.

Your favourite local will thank you!
Nominate now

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614 days ago

What skills are at risk of being lost in our communities?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

With universities starting up last week, so brings first-time flatters trying their hand at cooking for the first time. In 2020, 27% of a household’s weekly budget was spent on takeaways so it’s no wonder that cooking is becoming a bit of a lost art.
Alongside sewing and knitting, what other … View more
With universities starting up last week, so brings first-time flatters trying their hand at cooking for the first time. In 2020, 27% of a household’s weekly budget was spent on takeaways so it’s no wonder that cooking is becoming a bit of a lost art.
Alongside sewing and knitting, what other vital skills do you think are at risk of being lost?

Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column in the local paper - write NFP if you want your comments excluded.

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607 days ago

Cake mixer

Heng from Maungaraki

Looking to buy a quality machine. Can pick up within Wellington region.

607 days ago

Riddiford Gardens back of Lower Hutt Library

Sandra from Normandale

The original Riddiford Gardens where the Library and the HCC buildings stand. Once held the Plunket rooms, Rutherford swimming baths along with the playground.

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607 days ago

Hutt Hospital HERITAGE Lower Hutt

Sandra from Normandale

HUTT Hospital built c1954.

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608 days ago

Check you have your census pack

Stats NZ

If you need more forms or accessibility formats,visit www. census.govt.nz, or call 0800 236 787 for help. Find out more

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608 days ago

Did you leave a bag of shopping at the Petone Hospice Shop on Friday

Yvonne from Waterloo

Would the lady who phoned the Petone Hospice shop this morning enquiring about a bag of shopping (mainly K Mart items) she thought she had left in the shop on Friday please phone the shop back as we found it after it you phoned but didn't have a number to phone you back. You will know what … View moreWould the lady who phoned the Petone Hospice shop this morning enquiring about a bag of shopping (mainly K Mart items) she thought she had left in the shop on Friday please phone the shop back as we found it after it you phoned but didn't have a number to phone you back. You will know what items are in the bag.

609 days ago

Friday Feathered Friend

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

It has been a while since I posted a Friday Feathered Friend. This week it is a contribution from Louise Thomas.
"This is not the best photo of a variable oystercatcher - it's not even the best photo I took that day, but it is interesting. I noticed he/she was tagged - meet CT7. I … View more
It has been a while since I posted a Friday Feathered Friend. This week it is a contribution from Louise Thomas.
"This is not the best photo of a variable oystercatcher - it's not even the best photo I took that day, but it is interesting. I noticed he/she was tagged - meet CT7. I snapped him/her in the Hutt Estuary on 12 January and sent a report off to the Banding Office as you do and got back a very interesting report about the bird.
He/she was banded on Bell Island, Waimea Inlet, Tasman on 28/05/2022 in his/her 2nd year. Sex is unknown. CT7 is a busy chap, since banding this bird has been re-sighted at Saxton Field, Stoke, Nelson on 28/06/2022 and 19/07/2022. This bird is part of a research study on the morphometrics, population trends, longevity and movements of variable oystercatchers in the Golden/Tasman Bays region.

So, if you see CT7 don't forget to report him/her to the banding office.
Variable oystercatcher/ tōrea (Haematopus unicolor). Bird #14 in 2023.

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609 days ago
610 days ago

New water reservoir proposed for Lower Hutt

Wellington Water from Wellington Water

Wellington Water wants to hear from the Lower Hutt community on a proposal to build a new reservoir next to the existing Naenae Reservoir.

Next week, along with HCC, we're hosting drop in sessions so you can find out more about the proposal and the upcoming resource consent and public … View more
Wellington Water wants to hear from the Lower Hutt community on a proposal to build a new reservoir next to the existing Naenae Reservoir.

Next week, along with HCC, we're hosting drop in sessions so you can find out more about the proposal and the upcoming resource consent and public submissions process.

When and where
5.30pm – 7.30pm, Thursday 9 March
CoCo Pop Up Community Space, 11 Hillary Court, Naenae

9am – 12pm, Saturday 11 March 2023
CoCo Pop Up Community Space, 11 Hillary Court, Naenae

See you there!

More information
www.wellingtonwater.co.nz...

610 days ago

That's a lot of hair!

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (The Curtain Store)

Pic of us surgically removing a cat from a curtain

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