Brown Owl, Upper Hutt

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Have a browse...

Check out what your neighbours are selling (or giving away!) here.

2047 days ago

Pride of workmanship awards 21st celebration dinner

Upper Hutt Rotary Club

The Rotary Club of Upper Hutt has been running the Pride of Workmanship Awards programme since 1998. This is now the 21st year and time for a celebration.

With the sponsorship and support of the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club (The Cossie) and The Leader, The Rotary Club of Upper Hutt invites all … View more
The Rotary Club of Upper Hutt has been running the Pride of Workmanship Awards programme since 1998. This is now the 21st year and time for a celebration.

With the sponsorship and support of the Upper Hutt Cosmopolitan Club (The Cossie) and The Leader, The Rotary Club of Upper Hutt invites all past recipients to be their guest at this year’s Awards Dinner to be held at The Cossie on 10 June 2019, 6 to 9 pm.

If you are a past recipient and would like to register for this awards celebration event, please forward your registration details along to, rotaryupperhutt@gmail.com or by post to “Pride of Workmanship Awards, c/o 55 Golders Rd Upper Hutt 5018” no later than 3 May 2019.

Free attendance for past recipients and $40 for each supporter.

It would be fantastic if past recipients could bring along their plaque or citation, and be part of a group photo on the night.

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2047 days ago

Discover your rights with the CAB!

Sacha Green from Citizens Advice Bureau New Zealand

Do you know what your rights are at work? How about your rights to do with renting or owning a home? If you buy something that’s faulty do you know what your options are? This CAB Awareness Week from 8-14 April you’re being invited to Discover Your Rights – Tūhuratia ō motika!

Helping … View more
Do you know what your rights are at work? How about your rights to do with renting or owning a home? If you buy something that’s faulty do you know what your options are? This CAB Awareness Week from 8-14 April you’re being invited to Discover Your Rights – Tūhuratia ō motika!

Helping people to know what their rights and responsibilities are and how they can act on these is core to what the Citizens Advice Bureau is about. We help people from all walks of life to access the information they need so they are empowered to take next steps and to resolve their problems.

A highlight of this year’s Awareness Week is the launch of the CAB’s new public website - www.cab.org.nz.... After a year of development and user testing, the resulting website provides an accessible, mobile-friendly, knowledgebase of 2,000 questions and answers about people’s rights that are based on real issues confronted by clients.

The information about rights is grounded in the law but is practical and is expressed in a way that’s easy to understand.

The website also provides a directory of more than 30,000 community organisations so that the CAB can help connect people with any additional services they need.

We’re keen to break down any barriers people face in finding out what their rights are. Our new website is a fantastic resource for the whole community, and complements the amazing face-to-face and phone service provided by our skilled and dedicated volunteers.

We invite you to Discover Your Rights with us this Awareness Week by checking out our new website www.cab.org.nz..., calling us 0800 367 222, or by visiting your local CAB. We’re here to help.

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2047 days ago

Six Design Trends To Try In Your Next Kitchen Renovation

Garry Tranter from Price My House for Free Limited

During 30 years in the business, John van Doormaal from Innovative Kitchens has seen a big change in the way we use our kitchens. “It’s not just one person who’s using the kitchen now,” he says. “Children, teenagers, husbands and wives are all using it. It has become the focal point of … View moreDuring 30 years in the business, John van Doormaal from Innovative Kitchens has seen a big change in the way we use our kitchens. “It’s not just one person who’s using the kitchen now,” he says. “Children, teenagers, husbands and wives are all using it. It has become the focal point of the home.” He talks us through what’s trending in the design world and how you can use these ideas to inspire your own kitchen renovation.

1. Kitchen Island
John says the biggest change in the past 10 plus years is that, if they have the space, everyone wants a kitchen island. “It’s very useful in that it becomes a hub that people can gather around – in the same way that in the 1970s we designed returns with bar leaners. It’s where most people spend their time – they have their laptop there and the kids do their homework there, so nowadays we always put a powerpoint with a USB port in the island.”

2. Butler’s Pantry
Another big trend is the walk-in butlers’ pantry. “What the scullery does is hide the mess so you can have everything out and handy on the shelves, then just close the door,” says John. “It also means that the main kitchen doesn’t have to be as big, so it’s more affordable if you want to use premium materials for the cabinetry.”

3. Supersize appliances
He says when it comes to renovations, many people are happy with the footprint of their existing kitchen, but want to utilise the same space better. “People often want more in the kitchen than they can actually fit,” he says. “In the last few years everything’s gone big. Fifteen years ago, most freestanding stoves were 600mm wide, but now everyone wants 900mm. A normal fridge used to be 630-640mm wide but now they want a double-door fridge, which are all over 900mm wide.

4. Space-saving storage
“If we can turn some cupboards into drawers or move a wall or shift something, they’ll have the same footprint with a more useful amount of storage. As long as there’s enough room we add lots more drawers and pullouts,” he says. “They are a bit more expensive, but you double the space efficiency and you can see their contents easily so you know what you’ve got. I call them ‘pullout shelves’.”

5. Creative colour
In terms of colour options, John says people have a lot more choice these days, but white is still the most popular. “There is also a trend for black, which works if you’ve got a lot of space and light.” Black tapware is becoming fashionable and tiles have overtaken glass splashbacks in the popularity stakes.

6. Fancy Flooring
John says the majority of floors would be some kind of timber, versus tiles or vinyl, and almost all the benchtops he installs these days are a type of granite or engineered stone. “Twenty years ago granite was rare. When engineered stone came in it had flecked granules, but now it has veins running through it to imitate marble.”

2047 days ago

Gardening and section clearing

Ian Hamilton from Natures choice gardening services - Upper Hutt

Hi would you like a tidy Garden for winter?
Clear gutters and clean paths?
We can tidy your Garden next week!
Call me now on 0272430951

Negotiable

2074 days ago

Poll: Would you accept increased rates for curbside recycling?

Matt Tso Reporter from Upper Hutt Leader

Would you pay an extra $80 a year in rates to fund curbside recycling? Vote on our poll and let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

*If you don't want your comments used in an article, just add NFP at the end of your post.

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Would you accept increased rates for curbside recycling?
  • 45.1% Yes
    45.1% Complete
  • 54.9% No
    54.9% Complete
224 votes
2048 days ago

Daylight savings ends this weekend

Neighbourly from Neighbourly.co.nz

Make sure you don't get caught out.

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2048 days ago

Take a look at your neighbour's award-winning upcycled shed

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Ian Hamilton is a joint runner-up in our 2019 Resene Shed of the Year. "I think there's so much wastage today. People think if it's broken they need to get rid of it. Whereas I think if it's broken, let's see if we can fix it, or make something else useful out of it," … View moreIan Hamilton is a joint runner-up in our 2019 Resene Shed of the Year. "I think there's so much wastage today. People think if it's broken they need to get rid of it. Whereas I think if it's broken, let's see if we can fix it, or make something else useful out of it," he says. "I don't like throwing things away needlessly. I like re-purposing stuff."

2057 days ago

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Jan from Ebdentown

I asked these questions in 2017 the answer then was NO.
I ask the questions again, and again wonder why they don't want to know the answers.
Why they don't want to know what Library users think?
Questions :
Library staff
Are they registering requests for help?
Are they … View more
I asked these questions in 2017 the answer then was NO.
I ask the questions again, and again wonder why they don't want to know the answers.
Why they don't want to know what Library users think?
Questions :
Library staff
Are they registering requests for help?
Are they registering complaints?
Do staff point out and direct complainants to feedback forms?

Following questions still go unanswered
I asked Council under the Official Information Act for the research they said time and again supported the changes, there is no research, there is no data, they lied and still refuse to be accountable. They promised a Review – When?
Which Libraries here and overseas have adopted the philosophy?
How long had they been operating said philosophy?
How had it benefited the core business of Libraries (issuing books)?
How many were continuing to operate said philosophy?
How were these Libraries reconciling that children are being taught genre search in schools?
The research doesn't exist - they did not and still do not have any data/research to offer us in support of the changes

Someone clever, generations ago, recognised the emotional connection people can have to books, different search styles, the reverence some of us have for the stories, information, authors, and the books themselves and arranged the offering of books to others in the best way possible to cover all styles, it wasn’t an accident it was an expert professional design, that. Has stood the test of time.

To all of you share your point of view thanks, we need everyone who uses the Library to have their say, so we might end up with a balanced way to make our Library inclusive and accessible of everyone, every search style.

2052 days ago

Missing package

Louise from Trentham

Has anyone come across a package not addressed to them in Trentham? Stephen street to be exact. I had a package delivered today and some thieving person came up on my property and stole my package. If anyone has a package from DHL addressed Louise Tillett can you return it. I work hard for things … View moreHas anyone come across a package not addressed to them in Trentham? Stephen street to be exact. I had a package delivered today and some thieving person came up on my property and stole my package. If anyone has a package from DHL addressed Louise Tillett can you return it. I work hard for things in life and this really makes me grumpy 😡.

2050 days ago

Probably many don't read these UH wide messages BUT OMG!

Upper Hutt: Wider Community Connectivity

Hi all. Have just made an effort to complete my UHCC 'Consultation Plan' document. Think I will FAIL 'cos I sensed a rat! What I wished to say didn't fit the boxes! But I said it anyway!!!
Ratepayers voices ARE important.
Being one who puts thought into responses ... what … View more
Hi all. Have just made an effort to complete my UHCC 'Consultation Plan' document. Think I will FAIL 'cos I sensed a rat! What I wished to say didn't fit the boxes! But I said it anyway!!!
Ratepayers voices ARE important.
Being one who puts thought into responses ... what happens if the options don't fit?
Do wonder how the data analysts will record my feedback. LOL!
Do fill in the form as best you can anyway Hehe.

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