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Hullo Neighbourly folk, the scenes we have seen on our TVs about Covid in India are heart-breaking but spare a thought for the Indian community in New Zealand. People like Dipa Patel must be worried sick.
Her heart is in the Indian city of Mumbai, where her family is quarantined and two of her … View moreHullo Neighbourly folk, the scenes we have seen on our TVs about Covid in India are heart-breaking but spare a thought for the Indian community in New Zealand. People like Dipa Patel must be worried sick.
Her heart is in the Indian city of Mumbai, where her family is quarantined and two of her cousins have died from Covid-19.
Come together for good with friends, whānau and workmates by hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this May. You’ll be joining thousands of Kiwis around the country to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
You can host any time in May, and by taking part, you’ll be helping fund … View moreCome together for good with friends, whānau and workmates by hosting a Pink Ribbon Breakfast this May. You’ll be joining thousands of Kiwis around the country to raise vital funds for Breast Cancer Foundation NZ.
You can host any time in May, and by taking part, you’ll be helping fund ground-breaking work by some of our country’s top breast cancer researchers, educate people about breast health, and provide free support services for breast cancer patients and their families.
What are you waiting for! Sign up today.
This week we feature a cat named Felix submitted by Keely McBride.
"Nap time for my daughter's cat Felix."
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 suburb you live in.
Words and picture from Louise Thomas.
"Australasian gannet/tākapu (Morus serrator) on the wing this afternoon. One of two to be seen at Lowry Bay, Lower Hutt, diving and feeding close to shore for the past few weeks."
It is no great surprise but Whittaker’s has retained the top spot in Reader’s Digest’s annual Trusted Brands survey.
Whittaker’s came top overall, followed by Toyota, Samsung, Tip Top, St John NZ, Mainland, Dettol, Mitre 10, Anchor and Sony.
Whittaker’s chocolate also took the NZ Iconic … View moreIt is no great surprise but Whittaker’s has retained the top spot in Reader’s Digest’s annual Trusted Brands survey.
Whittaker’s came top overall, followed by Toyota, Samsung, Tip Top, St John NZ, Mainland, Dettol, Mitre 10, Anchor and Sony.
Whittaker’s chocolate also took the NZ Iconic Brand Category for the ninth consecutive year, ahead of Tip Top and Watties.
Last evening we had visitors from the Salvation Army (SA): Jerry Nasalio and Sara Toloi. They gave us an insight into some of the work of the Sallies in Porirua East and brought along their posh new van for us to inspect.
Sara’s work is fairly conventional: she runs the food bank, for which … View moreLast evening we had visitors from the Salvation Army (SA): Jerry Nasalio and Sara Toloi. They gave us an insight into some of the work of the Sallies in Porirua East and brought along their posh new van for us to inspect.
Sara’s work is fairly conventional: she runs the food bank, for which there is a high need in Porirua. It is open Monday to Friday, 10.00 to 1.00 pm. Families are able to obtain food boxes three to five times per annum, the size being dependent on the size of the family. Each box contains enough supplies for a week. If families need help more often, they are referred to the SA budgeting service and/or a social worker. Countdown is a generous donor to the food bank.
The Sallies have been running a community finance programme for several years, but Jerry is in charge of a new venture, a mobile food shop, and an ethical financing service for needy families. It has been running for a year, here and in South Auckland.
In low decile and immigrant communities, unscrupulous high-interest third-tier lenders have been preying on vulnerable families. The Government (Kris Faafoi in particular) took some action to stem this scourge but the problem remains. Jerry’s goal is to ‘disrupt the market’ and offer a better alternative to those families who have to borrow to get by.
Client families are able to obtain appliances and food on credit from the SA, and the loans are interest-free. There is a preliminary needs and budgeting interview in the mobile office, which establishes the weekly repayment. The SA then orders the goods which are then delivered to the family. Countdown’s existing online shopping service is used for food supplies.
Families that are living beyond their means may have their applications declined and are referred to other SA services such as housing or budgeting.
Jerry’s worst ongoing problem is that many families cannot understand even the simplest financial issues and are therefore vulnerable to predatory lenders. Educating them is a big part of Jerry’s job, but he is making progress.
For the club, this was a useful insight into the problems faced by the neediest members of the community.
A company run by a 16-year-old which has brought high-speed internet access to hundreds of households in the Hutt Valley that have been “forgotten" by the big telcos is expanding its services to other parts of the country in a bid to help more residents in isolated areas get connected.
Alex … View moreA company run by a 16-year-old which has brought high-speed internet access to hundreds of households in the Hutt Valley that have been “forgotten" by the big telcos is expanding its services to other parts of the country in a bid to help more residents in isolated areas get connected.
Alex Stewart came up with the idea for his business, WombatNET, when he was 13 and staying at the remote settlement of Turakina Beach, near Whanganui. Older people would often ask the tech-savvy teenager for help with their digital devices, and he soon realised how many people in the area were grappling with the same problem – unreliable and slow internet access.
After doing some research, he discovered that while it was relatively straightforward to connect properties to the fixed wireless broadband network using radio waves transmitted by towers, large internet providers often seemed reluctant to do so because it could be more expensive than using cables. So Stewart decided to meet the need himself.
In early 2020, WombatNET put up its first tower on private land just outside Upper Hutt. Since then, the company has built another 10 around Mangaroa and Whitemans Valley.
With demand for the service growing quickly through online and social media marketing and word of mouth, and as more people began to work from home amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Stewart was struggling to juggle running a start-up with his school work.
From August: Osage County to Joyful and Triumphant, Circa Theatre has a rich history of celebrating family. With rich insight, brilliant humour and a whole lot of heart, Andrew Bovell - the writer of When the Rain Stops Falling and Lantana - paints a vivid portrait of home: the expectations that … View moreFrom August: Osage County to Joyful and Triumphant, Circa Theatre has a rich history of celebrating family. With rich insight, brilliant humour and a whole lot of heart, Andrew Bovell - the writer of When the Rain Stops Falling and Lantana - paints a vivid portrait of home: the expectations that trap us and the love that keeps us coming back.
Co-produced with The Court Theatre, Things I Know to be True has just finished a record-breaking sold-out season in Christchurch receiving standing ovations and Circa Theatre is proud to present this “intricate, inventive study of family life” as part of its 45th anniversary celebrations. Tickets selling fast!
‘A thing of beauty, exquisitely observed. An absolute gem.’★★★★★ — The Daily Telegraph
An experienced Wellington restaurateur's efforts to breathe new life into a historic Porirua homestead have been dealt a cruel blow, burgled less than a fortnight out from its re-opening.
Michael Hollings, who co-owns Wellington institutions Chow, The Library bar, The Little Waffle Shop and Le… View moreAn experienced Wellington restaurateur's efforts to breathe new life into a historic Porirua homestead have been dealt a cruel blow, burgled less than a fortnight out from its re-opening.
Michael Hollings, who co-owns Wellington institutions Chow, The Library bar, The Little Waffle Shop and Le Samourai, recently took on the challenge of transforming Gear Homestead into Gear Eatery and Bar.
On Saturday, about $7000 worth of tools.
Hollings, however, is determined not to let the theft stop him and is still planning to re-open May 7.
Work is underway on a number of key projects in Kenepuru, to prepare for increased traffic flows from Transmission Gully and the city’s growth.
One of these projects is a shared pathway connecting Kenepuru Station with Bluff Road, designed to enhance the area for cyclists and pedestrians with a … View moreWork is underway on a number of key projects in Kenepuru, to prepare for increased traffic flows from Transmission Gully and the city’s growth.
One of these projects is a shared pathway connecting Kenepuru Station with Bluff Road, designed to enhance the area for cyclists and pedestrians with a focus on improving safety and accessing public transport.
There is significant growth in this part of the city, with the new Kenepuru Landing development and the Summerset retirement village. The shared pathway - running in front of ESR to the bottom of Bluff Road - will have a crossing point across Kenepuru Drive to connect pedestrians and cyclists to the railway station.
Access to the station was enhanced last year, with improved lighting, resurfacing and a mural.
Work on the pathway should be complete by the middle of the year, weather-depending.
Upgrades are also underway in four other areas to make sure there’s continued safe access for all businesses and road users following the increased Transmission Gully traffic volumes:
- Raiha Street/Broken Hill Road: reducing the wide conflict area and the risk for all road users
- Raiha Street/Prosser Street: construction of a mountable roundabout to reduce speeds and near misses between vehicles
- Main Road/Wall Place: widening the intersection to reduce the delays for exiting traffic
- Kenepuru Drive Cycle Crossing Point: installing a new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Kenepuru Drive to provide a safe crossing point for northbound cyclists near Stream Bank walk/cycleway.
We're qualified local people who we have been serving Wellington families since 1946.
Gee & Hickton has a reputation for professional and caring service from our funeral directors and support staff who are passionate about going the extra mile to ensure families can have peace of mind … View moreWe're qualified local people who we have been serving Wellington families since 1946.
Gee & Hickton has a reputation for professional and caring service from our funeral directors and support staff who are passionate about going the extra mile to ensure families can have peace of mind at what can be a very stressful time.
Our commitment is to listen, guide you through the options and then take care of the details to make the funeral service meaningful.
Visit us at 6 Norrie Street, Porirua or contact us at (04) 237 5332
Work is underway on a number of key projects in Kenepuru, to prepare for increased traffic flows from Transmission Gully and the city’s growth.
One of these projects is a shared pathway connecting Kenepuru Station with Bluff Road, designed to enhance the area for cyclists and pedestrians with… View moreWork is underway on a number of key projects in Kenepuru, to prepare for increased traffic flows from Transmission Gully and the city’s growth.
One of these projects is a shared pathway connecting Kenepuru Station with Bluff Road, designed to enhance the area for cyclists and pedestrians with a focus on improving safety and accessing public transport.
There is significant growth in this part of the city, with the new Kenepuru Landing development and the Summerset retirement village. The shared pathway – running in front of ESR to the bottom of Bluff Road – will have a crossing point across Kenepuru Drive to connect pedestrians and cyclists to the railway station.
Access to the station was enhanced last year, with improved lighting, resurfacing and a mural.
Work on the pathway should be complete by the middle of the year, weather-depending.
Upgrades are also underway in four other areas to make sure there’s continued safe access for all businesses and road users following the increased Transmission Gully traffic volumes:
• Raiha Street/Broken Hill Road: reducing the wide conflict area and the risk for all road users
• Raiha Street/Prosser Street: construction of a mountable roundabout to reduce speeds and near misses between vehicles
• Main Road/Wall Place: widening the intersection to reduce the delays for exiting traffic
• Kenepuru Drive Cycle Crossing Point: installing a new pedestrian and cycle crossing on Kenepuru Drive to provide a safe crossing point for northbound cyclists near Stream Bank walk/cycleway.
All projects have been designed with the input of local businesses and residents.
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says all these key projects will enhance what is becoming a very busy part of the city. “This is all about equipping Porirua for growth,” she says, “and with Transmission Gully inching closer by the day, we’re getting ahead of it with these works. “We thank road users for their patience while we get this important work done.”
Follow: Facebook / Twitter Visit: poriruacity.govt.nz Call: (04) 237 5089
Florica Vasiliu, from Miramar, is the proud owner of brother and sister Marinela and Dragos.
"Here is a picture of Marinela and Dragos chilling out. Behind them is a picture of their distant relative that died in 2019."
Remember if you want your pet featured on Neighbourly, email us on … View moreFlorica Vasiliu, from Miramar, is the proud owner of brother and sister Marinela and Dragos.
"Here is a picture of Marinela and Dragos chilling out. Behind them is a picture of their distant relative that died in 2019."
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 suburb you live in.
This week we have a lovely adoption update on Ruthie, who was recently adopted from Wellington SPCA.
"To say that adopting Ruthie has been an adjustment would be an understatement, to say the least.
We adopted her not long after our previous cat T passed away. So we went from having a big, … View moreThis week we have a lovely adoption update on Ruthie, who was recently adopted from Wellington SPCA.
"To say that adopting Ruthie has been an adjustment would be an understatement, to say the least.
We adopted her not long after our previous cat T passed away. So we went from having a big, old man cat who didn't really do much to having Ruthie, who is much younger and much livelier to contend with.
When I adopted her, I was told that she was quite shy and timid, that was true for the first week or so she was at home with us, but now she is loud and 'in your face' and takes great joy in running up and down the hallway and playing with toys.
She also loves to yell for attention in the middle of the night, but we are hoping that now she is spending more time outside, she will sleep a bit more at night and stop waking us up so early in the morning. She is very talkative, makes lovely prrp noises when she doesn't feel like meowing at us.
While she is very different from our last cat, she is very loved and has settled in well to her new home. She's come out of her shell a lot in the last few weeks and is making us all very happy to have her around. Thank you so much for helping me find her. Grace (Ruthie's forever person)."
'It’s all about our children and grandchildren' and supporting the new Children’s Hospital, says Mike Doig in his report on last night's speakers.
Wellington’s third-generation children’s hospital is well underway and should open in November this year.
It follows the King … View more'It’s all about our children and grandchildren' and supporting the new Children’s Hospital, says Mike Doig in his report on last night's speakers.
Wellington’s third-generation children’s hospital is well underway and should open in November this year.
It follows the King Edward VIIth Memorial Hospital, built in 1912, and its successor, opened in 1988, both of which were familiar to local Rotarians.
New Zealand will have three regional children’s hospitals: Starship in Auckland, our new one, and Christchurch. Each will specialise to some degree. The Wellington hospital will serve about one million citizens from Taranaki southwards to the top of the south island.
Last evening Bill Day, chair of the Wellington Hospitals Foundation, and Adrienne Murray, a former President of our club and now chair of the Rotary Children’s Health Trust, came to talk about the progress of the new hospital and Rotary’s part in it.
Bill is a former banker and has chaired the Life Flight Trust, Outward Bound, Wellington Free Ambulance, and has been a director of numerous other community organisations.
The new Children’s Hospital was made possible by a gift of $50 million from Mark Dunajtschik and Dorothy Spotswood, after whom the new building will be named.
Bill explained the design of the building with the aid of photos and plans. It will be innovative and state-of-the-art when completed.
Adrienne explained the fundraising aspects of the project. Our Rotary District has committed to raising $400,000 by March 2022 which will be used to provide two whanau rooms in the hospital. We are close to $170,000 so far, with our own club donating $2500.
The Rotary Children’s Health Trust was formed to support the building of the new hospital but will carry on afterwards to underwrite other child-centred health services in our region.
© Neighbourly 2024
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