Wainuiomata Coast, Lower Hutt

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Got a question about your lawn or backyard?

Ask a Crewcut Lawn & Garden expert (and an ex-Black Caps coach!) now. Head here.

1351 days ago

Stop the agapanthus invasion

Reporter Community News

Agapanthus are flowering freely at the moment so it is a good time to think about how you can stop them from spreading by deadheading them.
In some parts of New Zealand they are considered an invasive weed.
Click on READ MORE to see a story I wrote in 2018.

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1349 days ago

No extinguishers in council buildings

Reporter Community News

A council has been panned for removing fire extinguishers from its buildings, with a critic saying people are being put at risk.
The Hutt City Council had removed most of the extinguishers from its facilities over the past 12 months following a review of its fire safety plans. Facilities include … View more
A council has been panned for removing fire extinguishers from its buildings, with a critic saying people are being put at risk.
The Hutt City Council had removed most of the extinguishers from its facilities over the past 12 months following a review of its fire safety plans. Facilities include the administration buildings and War Memorial Library.
Council spokeswoman Caryn Ellis​ said in the event of a fire, the council’s priority was for occupants to evacuate, not to fight a blaze.
Do you have fire extinguishers at your work.

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1349 days ago

Would you like to win gardening gear and plant nursery vouchers?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide… View more
Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide Bearded Irises. Plus go in the draw to win handspreaders from GARDENA and $35 vouchers from Awapuni Nurseries.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here.

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1351 days ago

Well done Naomi Shaw

Reporter Community News

As a journalist, one of the most interesting characters I work with is Naomi Shaw. I got to know her in the early 1990s. She was a great supporter of the Hutt News and has also made a significant contribution to the Hutt Valley Sports Awards. This is what she posted on Facebook

"Guess this … View more
As a journalist, one of the most interesting characters I work with is Naomi Shaw. I got to know her in the early 1990s. She was a great supporter of the Hutt News and has also made a significant contribution to the Hutt Valley Sports Awards. This is what she posted on Facebook

"Guess this doesn’t happen very often ... but I am proud to still be part of the Saints Softball Club for 55+ years. My father managed teams in the early days and my three sisters plus numerous nieces & nephews played for the club. Now I have daughter Kiri and mokopuna Denva and Mesha playing in the same team with Mum and/or Nan still active in the club. The truth is ...I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t enjoy it so much! Surrounded by good people and still making great memories.:

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1349 days ago

Indoor pot plant holder

The Team from Resene ColorShop Lower Hutt

Make your own indoor planter and paint it in your favourite bold Resene colour to bring a bit of nature indoors to enjoy year round.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own.

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1351 days ago

Bonus Pet of the Day: Meet Boston

Reporter Community News

This is such a good pic, I thought I had to use it.

"Thought we would send this shot to you. It is classic and so suits his personality.
Boston enjoying being on holiday in Waikanae, pending his move back to Australia. Here is hoping QLD is going to open the border up soon. Charlotte, Peter … View more
This is such a good pic, I thought I had to use it.

"Thought we would send this shot to you. It is classic and so suits his personality.
Boston enjoying being on holiday in Waikanae, pending his move back to Australia. Here is hoping QLD is going to open the border up soon. Charlotte, Peter & Trish Scholes."

Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo. Please remember to say what … View more

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1351 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Reporter Community News

Neighbourly folk, anyone got an idea where this is?

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1350 days ago

We Say/You Say: Bottomless Brunches

Reporter The Hutt News

Hi neighbours,

What do you think about the Wellington City Council's move to ban "bottomless brunches?"

All-you-can-drink alcoholic beverages over a restaurant brunch could be in jeopardy after councillors indicated a ban on such deals.

Several establishments across the city… View more
Hi neighbours,

What do you think about the Wellington City Council's move to ban "bottomless brunches?"

All-you-can-drink alcoholic beverages over a restaurant brunch could be in jeopardy after councillors indicated a ban on such deals.

Several establishments across the city offer unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for a fixed price and this has led to complaints of excessive drinking.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean mentioned that several complaints were being followed up by council and police regarding these "all you can drink" deals.

“The ‘bottomless brunch' arrangements are a clear breach of liquor-licensing laws - which are designed to rule out irresponsible consumption of alcohol and intoxication,” MacLean said.

Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments featured in your local community newspaper.

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1351 days ago

Upcycling Awards is back for 2021!

Resene

Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us … View more
Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us your all, we want to see your creations! Check out some of last years' entires here.

Take part in the 2021 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Learn more

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1351 days ago

Rebounder

Lalitha from Waiwhetu

This rebounder is very good to keep the kids busy on a wet day. Just small minor rip n 2 places. Please PM me if interested.

Price: $25

1351 days ago

Te Omanga Hospice big winner in house give away

Reporter Community News

An arrangement to give away one house surplus to requirement will help a hospice to keep its patients comfortable in their final hours.
The former owners of the two-bedroom weatherboard house in Lower Hutt, the Johnson​ family, organised to give it away for free after its section at 35 Rata St, … View more
An arrangement to give away one house surplus to requirement will help a hospice to keep its patients comfortable in their final hours.
The former owners of the two-bedroom weatherboard house in Lower Hutt, the Johnson​ family, organised to give it away for free after its section at 35 Rata St, Naenae, was earmarked for development.
A condition of the giveaway was a donation to Te Omanga Hospice and that’s exactly what happened, and them some.
Not only was an undisclosed donation made by the new owners, but the developers, Faisandier Group, and House moving company, Quality Demolition, each chipped in with $5000. The extra donations were announced on Tuesday when the house was removed from its foundations to be transplanted by truck and trailer to a new property in Maungaraki in Lower Hutt’s western hills.

1352 days ago

Local heroes, two women remove tonnes of rubbish

Reporter Community News

What can we do to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into the sea? That is the question two women are asking after spending a year cleaning up a coastal seal colony near Wellington.
Fishhooks, hundreds of shoes, 160 coffee sacks of rubbish, 48 tyres and 15 crayfish pots.
That is just some of … View more
What can we do to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into the sea? That is the question two women are asking after spending a year cleaning up a coastal seal colony near Wellington.
Fishhooks, hundreds of shoes, 160 coffee sacks of rubbish, 48 tyres and 15 crayfish pots.
That is just some of the rubbish Lorraine Shaab​ and Noeline Angus​ have removed from a seal colony on the Wainuiomata Coast, near Wellington, over the past year.

1353 days ago

My Wellington: Swee Tan

Reporter Community News

Dr Swee Tan is a world-renowned researcher and plastic surgeon who has lived in Khandallah for 26 years. Born in Malaysia, Tan travelled the world before settling in the capital, where he heads up the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. Here’s his take on life in the capital.

How long have you … View more
Dr Swee Tan is a world-renowned researcher and plastic surgeon who has lived in Khandallah for 26 years. Born in Malaysia, Tan travelled the world before settling in the capital, where he heads up the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. Here’s his take on life in the capital.

How long have you been a Wellingtonian?
I was here in 1992 when I was doing my training in plastic surgery. We lived here for one year and then went overseas to London, then Oxford and Boston, and then came back in 1995. I was born in Malaysia, and left in 1980. I went to Melbourne, where I studied, and then I went to Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington. I resisted coming to Wellington because I went through Wellington in 1987 – it was a dead place, there was no restaurant open after 7pm.

Where is your favourite place to eat out?
We are very lucky to have good eating places. Yum cha at Dragons, for example, is one of our favourites. There are so many choices. Noble Rot is a very good place for dinner. If you are after brunch, Cafe Thyme next to the Twigland Garden Centre, which is my favourite garden centre. It’s between Johnsonville and Churton Park.

Where is the best coffee in Wellington?
You put me in a difficult position because in Wellington we have so many great places for coffee. Prefab is great, or Neo Cafe, and Revive in Petone. You can get good coffee anywhere really, but those are really great spot.

What’s an underrated attraction near you?
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is the only public botanical garden dedicated to native plants, and they are really nice: about 11 kilometres, with many bushes and gardens. We used to take our children there when they were younger. There is a stream there with eels, beautiful eels, an 800-year-old rimu tree and a nice canopy of trees. It is only five minutes away [from the city], it is right here on our doorstep.

What, in Wellington, can’t be beaten on a good day?
Walking along the waterfront with Maestro [Tan’s dog] along the path that takes you to Oriental Pde. It is such a beautiful place.

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1353 days ago

SPCA Pet of the Day: Meet Spike

Reporter Community News

This week's Wellington SPCA Pet of the Day is a cat called Spike, who was adopted from the SPCA.

"Spike is going really well and has fully grown into his name. He’s a complete goon! He now spends his time running about the house, playing and snuggling with gusto. His favourite toy is … View more
This week's Wellington SPCA Pet of the Day is a cat called Spike, who was adopted from the SPCA.

"Spike is going really well and has fully grown into his name. He’s a complete goon! He now spends his time running about the house, playing and snuggling with gusto. His favourite toy is his mouse from the SPCA. He charges around the house with it in his mouth so it’s always near. The best thing we’ve enjoyed though is how the relationship between our dog Sadie and him has developed. Spike loves being near her, and always snuggles up next to her when he’s tired out from playing (as you can see from the photos!) Sadie is pretty smitten with him too. We all are. Thanks again for everything, Julia, Dave, Sadie and Spike."

1353 days ago

Cat survives being shot in face

Reporter Community News

A cherished family cat has survived being shot in the face, but sustained serious damage from the attack.
Ginger cat Jamie​ took a bullet to the cheek – millimetres from his left eye and narrowly missing his brain – fragmenting his skull.
He was lucky to survive the recent shooting in … View more
A cherished family cat has survived being shot in the face, but sustained serious damage from the attack.
Ginger cat Jamie​ took a bullet to the cheek – millimetres from his left eye and narrowly missing his brain – fragmenting his skull.
He was lucky to survive the recent shooting in Wellington.
But the incident has left him deaf in one ear and the pupil in his left eye unable to contract.
Meanwhile, the SPCA is appealing to the public for help with its investigation into the shooting.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 0800 467 732 in confidence and quote reference 323422.

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