Remember to vote!
By Hutt City councillor Brady Dyer
Opinion: With a week to polling day, it is important that you get out and vote on Saturday.
While many in Lower Hutt have already headed to the polls, there are always those who hesitate.
If you're undecided, let's take a moment to debunk a few myths about voting.
Firstly, don't view voting as searching for the ideal marriage, or finding ’the one'. It's more like taking a bus journey.
You may not find a bus that drops you at your exact doorstep, but you will find one that gets you nearer to your destination.
Once you're closer, you'll likely find other ways—or perhaps another election—to move you even nearer to where you'd like to be. Don't let the quest for the 'perfect candidate' prevent you from making a decision that brings you closer to your hopes for the future.
Next, let's tackle the relevance of politics in our day-to-day lives. There's no escaping the fact that decisions made at the governmental level directly impact us. The rising cost of living in Lower Hutt is a perfect example.
When it comes to funding essential infrastructure projects, local ratepayers can't bear the brunt alone, especially when looking at the amount of investment that is required in the future to upgrade things like our water systems.
This is where central government needs to take more responsibility and increase funding for the community and local government to deliver more.
Also, while you're deciding whether to vote, consider this: the people who make key decisions in your life are probably not hesitating. Your landlord, who determines your rent, is likely to vote.
Your employer, who influences your work environment, will probably cast a ballot too. When you choose not to vote, you're essentially giving them more say in matters that affect you directly.
Turning to local issues, our focus shouldn't just be on improving roads, although that is needed. A well-rounded approach to transportation should include better options for walking and cycling.
Not only is this better for the environment, but it also alleviates congestion for those who do need to drive. In a nutshell, it's a win-win for everyone.Finally, let's not underestimate the power of a single vote.
Polling stations are open and within easy reach. Your vote isn't just a personal choice; it's part of a collective decision that shapes the future of Lower Hutt and New Zealand as a whole.
Voting isn't just ticking a box, it's a powerful way to shape both your community and your future. It's your chance to grab the wheel and influence the route this 'bus'—our community and our country—is taking.
While you may not find a service that delivers you straight to your dream destination, you can at least choose the direction that gets us closer.
Voting isn't flawless, but it remains our most effective tool for collective decision-making. So step up, get on that bus, and help steer us all towards a future you'd like to be a part of.You can find all the information you need to enrol and vote atwww.vote.nz
scumbags
There are some really awful people around at the moment. This is what happened on Sunday.
We live in Hinemoa Street opposite the Waiwhetu Stream. At around 3.40 in the afternoon I was looking out my window and saw a car pull up and start to feed the geese and ducks out the window. Then The passenger an asian man jumped out and threw himself onto a goose. he picked it up and put it the boot of the car.
I immediately ran over and stood in front of his car to stop him moving I also called my husband to help. A lovely man was riding his bike and saw it and stopped to help me. The driver tried to drive into me but I didnt move. He tried telling us it was his pet. These are wild geese.
They had a cage in the boot and some wire all ready to catch the poor bird like they have done it before. My husband took the bird from the car and released it. I then moved out of the way and after lots of abuse from the driver they drove off threatening to come back and get more.
No one should be allowed to take these beautiful birds and certainly not like this. they are all starting to have wee babies at the moment the whole thing was so upsetting to me. Another neighbour further down the road also saw it all happen.
Please keep a look out for this car and if you see them by the stream go over and watch them lets all stop this happening.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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