Plimmerton, Porirua

1498 days ago

Kids should be heard

White Ribbon

Kids ask us for attention because they are learning how to navigate the world and build relationships - they need to be able to speak and be listened to so they can learn and grow. Challenge the #outdated rules - it’s time to shake off the old and reveal the new. Find out more

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1498 days ago

Plimmerton Rotary hosted Spinnaker Toastmasters

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

There was a big turnout this week as we hosted Spinnaker Toastmasters, who demonstrated the elements of one of their regular meetings.

Toastmasters is a global organisation, founded in 1924 in the USA. It’s big, too, with 358,000 members in 143 countries.

Gary Nicholson chaired the session,… View more
There was a big turnout this week as we hosted Spinnaker Toastmasters, who demonstrated the elements of one of their regular meetings.

Toastmasters is a global organisation, founded in 1924 in the USA. It’s big, too, with 358,000 members in 143 countries.

Gary Nicholson chaired the session, and explained the purpose of Toastmasters. Members are interested in professional development and personal growth, and especially in improving their communication skills. They are tutored in both creating and delivering a talk, and learn by doing, in front of fellow members. There is a competitive edge, too, and we were treated to two entertaining award winning seven to nine-minute talks by Albertus and Joanna.

Gary explained that their twice-monthly meetings are rather structured and designed around speaking practice and evaluation. 'Table Topics' –impromptu short talks on a given subject - are part of this. We tried this with ten speakers on the subject of ‘holiday preferences’. Some of our own members took part and did well.

Gary pointed out that Toastmasters has a serious purpose but can be a lot of fun, too. This was certainly underlined by the enthusiasm of the club members who came along with Gary.

1499 days ago

Pet of the Day: Phoenix

Reporter Community News

This weeks Pet of the Day is 10 month-old Phoenix, enjoying a Wellington bush walk with Priyal Patel
The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with… View more
This weeks Pet of the Day is 10 month-old Phoenix, enjoying a Wellington bush walk with Priyal Patel
The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz with a recent photo.

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1499 days ago

Ten Dollar Tickets

Orchestra Wellington

Just $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas Singalong. Featuring a beautiful Samoan choir, Christmas classics and a special mystery guest, this promises to be a delightful day out for all ages.
We’ll also have bouncy castles and face paints before the show … View more
Just $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas Singalong. Featuring a beautiful Samoan choir, Christmas classics and a special mystery guest, this promises to be a delightful day out for all ages.
We’ll also have bouncy castles and face paints before the show for the little ones.

Sunday 13 December 2.30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Pre-concert entertainment from 1.30pm in the Renouf Foyer.
Buy tickets now

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1500 days ago

Feathered Friday Friend

Reporter Community News

Our Feathered Friend this week is the red-crowned parakeet/kākāriki.
The photos are from Rosa Marie who took her camera to Zealandia to see one only of the only mainland populations in New Zealand.
Although they are widely distributed throughout the New Zealand region, and are very common on … View more
Our Feathered Friend this week is the red-crowned parakeet/kākāriki.
The photos are from Rosa Marie who took her camera to Zealandia to see one only of the only mainland populations in New Zealand.
Although they are widely distributed throughout the New Zealand region, and are very common on some islands, they are almost entirely absent from the two main islands.
One exception is Wellington, where birds from Zealandia and Matiu/Somes Islands are occasionally seen in suburban gardens.

1501 days ago

Work off Christmas dinner in 23,573 easy steps

Smiths City

As we head into the eating season, you might want to think about tracking your fitness. Check out our range of wearable tech, from FitBit, Huawei and Samsung, in-store or online today. smithscity.co.nz – keeping Xmas honest. Visit us online

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1502 days ago

Neighbourly Good Sort: Janina Hopkins (Bellyful Porirua)

Reporter Community News

Todays Good Sort is Janina Hopkins. For the last four years she has been helping Bellyful Porirua produce tasty frozen meals to any family with a newborn baby, or any family dealing with an illness if there are dependent children at home.
In her four years with the charity, Hopkins estimates … View more
Todays Good Sort is Janina Hopkins. For the last four years she has been helping Bellyful Porirua produce tasty frozen meals to any family with a newborn baby, or any family dealing with an illness if there are dependent children at home.
In her four years with the charity, Hopkins estimates she’s cooked 7200 meals for people in need in her community.
The Porirua Bellyful branch is one of 24 around New Zealand, which delivered more than 25,000 meals to 4500 families last year.
Anyone can make a referral on behalf of a family in need via the Bellyful website, but they must have the family’s permission first.

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1503 days ago

Transmission Gully bridge wins national award

Reporter Community News

It does not have a glamorous name but Bridge 20 has won a national honour at the annual Steel Construction NZ (SCNZ) Excellence in Steel Awards, taking out the Over $3M category.
Bridge 20 is a steel box-girder bridge, built by New Zealand-based steel bridge specialist Eastbridge, to take traffic … View more
It does not have a glamorous name but Bridge 20 has won a national honour at the annual Steel Construction NZ (SCNZ) Excellence in Steel Awards, taking out the Over $3M category.
Bridge 20 is a steel box-girder bridge, built by New Zealand-based steel bridge specialist Eastbridge, to take traffic over over Cannons Creek Gully. The bridge took more than two years to build in the workshop.

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1503 days ago

Poriruua welcomes new KFC

Reporter Community News

Hi Neighbourly folk, Porirua Mayor Anita Baker met the new staff at Porirua's KFC, which opened this morning.
Have you been down to check it out?

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1503 days ago

Porirua cemetery honours veterans

Reporter Community News

Telling the stories of some of the veterans at rest in Porirua Cemetery has become a lot easier.
Last month the council completed the installation of 16 QRS codes on distinctive red posts in the cemetery, off Kenepuru Dr. Visitors can scan the codes with their smartphone and it takes the user to … View more
Telling the stories of some of the veterans at rest in Porirua Cemetery has become a lot easier.
Last month the council completed the installation of 16 QRS codes on distinctive red posts in the cemetery, off Kenepuru Dr. Visitors can scan the codes with their smartphone and it takes the user to the council cemeteries website, where they can read a little more about the person buried in that gravesite.
On the council website there is also the option to go to the Porirua War Stories website, run by historian Allan Dodson, which has more comprehensive profiles on each of the veterans.

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1503 days ago

No 'mates rate' deal for Porirua land deal

Reporter Community News

Porirua City Council has rejected the claims of a group of landowners, including Greater Wellington Regional councillor Chris Kirk-Burnnand, who felt they should have first dibs on the 6000 square metre property at Motukaraka Point, near Pauatahanui Inlet, for just $180,000.
Kirk-Burnnand and five … View more
Porirua City Council has rejected the claims of a group of landowners, including Greater Wellington Regional councillor Chris Kirk-Burnnand, who felt they should have first dibs on the 6000 square metre property at Motukaraka Point, near Pauatahanui Inlet, for just $180,000.
Kirk-Burnnand and five other neighbours believed that was fair market value for a slice of land deemed rural, which they wanted to carve up between the property owners and add to their existing titles.
They called in the lawyers when it became clear the council was considering selling the land on the open market, with its own valuer appraising the land at $600,000.

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1503 days ago

Wellington Opera Launch

Wellington Opera

Wellington Opera is thrilled to be taking audiences on a journey of musical and theatrical discovery, launching with Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni at the Wellington Opera House, April 2021.

Wellington audiences are in for a real treat, with a dynamic New Zealand cast featuring many … View more
Wellington Opera is thrilled to be taking audiences on a journey of musical and theatrical discovery, launching with Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni at the Wellington Opera House, April 2021.

Wellington audiences are in for a real treat, with a dynamic New Zealand cast featuring many principals back in New Zealand on pause from their careers around the world.

The production of Don Giovanni is directed by Sara Brodie, with designer Meg Rollandi, and Matthew Ross as Music Director, with the Wellington Opera Chorus and Orchestra Wellington.

This is a bold yet timeless production offering food for thought for our times whilst embracing the theatricality of old.

Don’t miss it… with only four shows in April 2021, buy your tickets now!
Book now

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1504 days ago

Watering Restrictions

The Team from Wellington Water

At the moment we are at watering restriction level 1: routine odds/evens garden watering restrictions. This means we have enough water for residents based on current demand, BUT we need to look after the storage reserves we have, so there is enough water to last all summer.

With increased demand,… View more
At the moment we are at watering restriction level 1: routine odds/evens garden watering restrictions. This means we have enough water for residents based on current demand, BUT we need to look after the storage reserves we have, so there is enough water to last all summer.

With increased demand, and hot, dry weather- things could quickly change.

Garden watering restrictions help smooth out peak demands on the network during daylight savings.

So, what can I do to help limit demand? ?
- use mulch in the garden to help lock in water ✅
- use a trigger hose to water plants ?
- soak don't sprinkle - a good soaking twice a week will encourage feeder roots to grow down ?

Know the garden watering restrictions in your area ???

1504 days ago

Fraud Awareness Week

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

This Fraud Awareness Week we are encouraging Kiwis to take a moment to stop and think ‘is this for real?’ when contacted unexpectedly and asked for personal info.

New Zealand Police's Financial Intelligence Unit estimates New Zealanders lose $20-30 million annually to scams.

HOW TO AVOID… View more
This Fraud Awareness Week we are encouraging Kiwis to take a moment to stop and think ‘is this for real?’ when contacted unexpectedly and asked for personal info.

New Zealand Police's Financial Intelligence Unit estimates New Zealanders lose $20-30 million annually to scams.

HOW TO AVOID A SCAM:

+ A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you to ask for your PIN, password or to move money to another account.

+ Never click on a link in an unexpected email or text – you could be giving access to your personal and financial details.

+ Always question uninvited approaches in case it is a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.

+ Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic – just because someone knows your basic details (name and address, or mother’s maiden name) it doesn’t mean they are genuine.

+ Don’t be rushed into making a decision or financial transaction on the spot – a genuine bank or trusted organisation would never do this.

+ Listen to your instincts – if something feels wrong then it generally is.

If you believe you are the victim of a scam you can contact Police and report the matter via 105.

For more info on how you can prevent yourself, family and friends from being scammed, visit:

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1504 days ago

Former Porirua mayor Mike Tana can't be found

Reporter Community News

It is official, Porirua has lost its missing former mayor.
Tradition dictates the city honours its mayors at the end of their term with a painted portrait for the council chambers. Missing from the illustrious oil on canvas line-up is Mike Tana.
The city council has tried to contact Tana, who was … View more
It is official, Porirua has lost its missing former mayor.
Tradition dictates the city honours its mayors at the end of their term with a painted portrait for the council chambers. Missing from the illustrious oil on canvas line-up is Mike Tana.
The city council has tried to contact Tana, who was mayor from 2016 to 2019, without success.
The end of his term was marred by controversy when the council chief executive Wendy Walker contacted police over the suspected inappropriate use of Tana’s petrol card. The action sparked an expensive investigation.

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