Water restrictions eased across the region
Wellington’s sprinkler ban has been lifted– but with sporadic rain forecast for winter residents still need to avoid wasting water.
The restrictions were put in place for the Hutt Valley, South Wairarapa, Wellington city and Porirua in mid-February as water usage soared during the summer months.
From Tuesday, residents in Lower Hutt, Porirua and Wellington city can again use sprinklers and irrigation systems, Wellington Water said. In Upper Hutt and South Wairarapa people can do so every second day, as is usual.
Most of the Wellington region’s drinking water comes from rivers and the Waiwhetu aquifer under the Hutt Valley. River levels fell to 90 per cent before the sprinkler ban.
Meanwhile, people in the Wairarapa town of Carterton still have to boil their water after E. coli bacteria was found in the water supply on March 12.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84.5% Yes
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14.1% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.