Brown Owl, Upper Hutt

DIY right first time #resenetip

DIY right first time #resenetip

Need to brush up your DIY skills? Check out the free MasterStroke by Resene DIY Decorating Manual for everything you need to get started.

2869 days ago

Neighbours Day 2017: Our first 'New Years Resolution' winner ... and more

The Team from Neighbours Aotearoa

Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for … View more
Hello Neighbours!
Welcome to 2017!! We hope that the festive season has been fabulous and that you're well rested and ready for the coming year. We're kicking off the year with our first 'New Year's Resolution' winner, our first Neighbourhood Champion, and chances for you to get involved and be in to win too.
In this newsletter we have:
- Our first 'Make it a New Years Resolution' winner , and your chance to get into the next draw,
- Only 3 days till we find out who will become our First Neighbourhood Champion
- I Heart My Hood photo competition!!

Our First 'Make it a New Year's Resolution' Winner!
We all know the new years is a time for making plans for the coming year, and we have the easiest New Year's resolution yet, and you can tick off part of it pretty quickly. Just sign up and commit to getting involved in Neighbours Day. Those that do sign up go into the draw for a $100 grocery voucher - there is still a chance to win one in January and in February.
The first of our draws for the grocery voucher has been made and the winner is Stephanie Moran of Red Beach! Congratulations Stephanie!
More on the campaign and how to get involved is below!


Make it a New Year's Resolution!
Earlier this year we put it to the Neighbours Day community to vote on the best way to launch Neighbours Day 2017. The winning idea was is 'Make it a New Years Resolution', and so that is what we're rolling with. Make getting involved in Neighbours Day your New Year's Resolution.
If you or anyone else signs up for Neighbours Day 2017 between today and the 31st of January you go in a drawer to win a $100 grocery voucher. We'll be making 2 more draws, one this month and one in February.
We know there are some of you who are real champions of Neighbours Day Aotearoa, so for those that get the most people joining up we have a little incentive for you too. We've added a section in the join up page where people can mention how they heard about Neighbours Day. This is where all those awesome people you get to join up can pop your name. If you, or your organisation, come out on tops and have the most new members joining up then you will win a $100 grocery voucher as well!!! Whaaattt!! Now that will come in handy either for your awesome Neighbours Day event, or your friendly neighbourly bbq, or will pay for the TimTam's you bring when you have a cup of tea with your neighbours.
And just in case the chance to get involved in Neighbours Day and maybe win a voucher still isn't enough then how about this! - our Neighbours Day Members get tips and advice on how to make their Neighbours Day especially awesome, how and where to apply for funding or support in your community for your neighbours day activities, AND we'll be having a few more spot prize draws in the coming months that will help make your neighbours day activities even more fabulous.
Now that right there is a even more of an incentive to get either your fine self or others you know involved! So make sure you share the love and spread the word.


Neighbourhood Champions!
There are only a few days left to get your Neighbourhood Champion nominations in. Our January Neighbourhood champion gets the chance to win this beautiful pohutakawa necklace from Paul Harris Art and Design. Next month we have a lovely Orania skin care package to give our Neighbourhood Champion. So get those stories into Kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz

I Heart My Hood Photo Competition
This month we will launching the I Heart My Hood photo competition. We'll be announcing the launch date on facebook and on our website in the coming weeks.
This year we're doing it a little differently. We really want to see and hear about the people in your neighbourhood. Portraits of our neighbourhood champions, or the people that to you personify your community or 'hood'. To help focus (excuse the photography pun) we've chosen three themes.
1 - I Heart the History of My Hood
Everywhere we live has history, and stories. Do you know your hood's history? Or maybe you know someone who has lived in the community for what seems like a million years, and know the place like that back of their hand. Was your hood the birth place of the women's vote, or maybe site of the biggest lamington ever made way back in 53' ....(Yes I know, random, but honestly we're interesting in anything and everything)... We want to capture that both photographically and with a little text to accompany the image. It could be a quote, or a short version of the story that's been told. By the way - this is also an awesome way to get our older 'story tellers' involved.
2 - I Heart Diversity in my Hood
New Zealand really has become a melting pot and that brings with it the rainbow of diversity of all kinds. We want to capture some of that photographically and again with a little story, quote or text that adds to the diversity story of your community. Maybe you have the 'united nations' living on one street, maybe your neighbourhood pot luck dinners are better and more interesting than an international food fair could every dream of! We want to see and hear about it.
3 - I Heart My Healthy Hood
With our clean green image, amazing fresh foods, picture perfect outdoor environment, we know there are neighbourhoods out there that personify 'health'. Is your neighbourhood or neighbour one of them? It could be through a neighbourhood walking group, or a 'from garden to plate thanks to the shared neighbourhood community garden' kind of thing. It might be a neighbourhood that has committed to getting the kids off screens and outside, or maybe its a whole street of cross fit power vegans ..... probably not ... but you never know. What ever it is, we want to see and hear about it with a great photo of the people involved, and a great quote or (short) story to go with it.
So get snapping and chatting. We'll have more information on I Heart My Hood available on facebook and on our website.
We're starting 2017 with a hiss and a roar. We hope you are too!

Make sure you sign up for Neighbours Day 2017. If you get a sudden urge to share Neighbours Day on social media, don't fight that urge and use - #neighboursday . If you have some awesome neighbourly stories feel free to email them to us at kiaora@neighboursday.org.nz.

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2871 days ago

School Holiday childcare available.

Jamie from Clouston Park - Kingsley Heights

Hello & Happy New Year.

I am currently an Au pair for a six year old girl in Upper Hutt & a Early childhood teacher reliver. Annabelle is away untill sunday so i am free all this week & would like to offer my help if anybody might need some babysitting.

have over 3 years’ … View more
Hello & Happy New Year.

I am currently an Au pair for a six year old girl in Upper Hutt & a Early childhood teacher reliver. Annabelle is away untill sunday so i am free all this week & would like to offer my help if anybody might need some babysitting.

have over 3 years’ experience working in a direct one to one and one to many environment with children across a range of ages, abilities and with a range of needs. If you are interested or have any questions please feel free to send me a message. I would be more than happy to provide you my Cv refrences & police check. (happy to travel with help with gas)

Have a lovely week.
Kind Regards.
Jamie Morrow.

2870 days ago

Back at work? Make a plan

The Team from Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management

If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
View more
If you're back in the office today, we hope you're not struggling too much. Do you know how you'll get home if there's no transport or who will get the kids if you can't get to them? Work through our Personal Workplace Emergency Plan and decide what you will do.
getthru.govt.nz...
Visit www.happens.nz... for more hints and tips.

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2870 days ago

For sale

Elaine from Maoribank

I have 2  Galaxy Bar stools, unused, as too large for my tiny breakfast bar in my little flat. Paid $196.00 on sale (receipt available.)  Black and Chrome. Sorry unable post photos, but Harvey Normans website has photos of these stools. Wanting $120 for the pair.

Price: $120

2870 days ago

Porirua Harbour Update:

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Good news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water … View moreGood news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water quality results

2870 days ago

Porirua Harbour Update:

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Good news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water … View moreGood news swimmers! Follow up testing at the Rowing Club, Porirua Harbour, shows bacterial counts are now very low. We still recommend you follow the standard advice not to swim for at least 48 hours after rain, and to check out our interactive water quality map bit.ly... for the latest water quality results

2873 days ago

Toxic Algae

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has … View more
Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has changed. Most of the algae is a species of diatom – slimy but harmless. The close-up below shows a rock that is mostly covered by the diatom species – it’s yellowy/green and bumpy in appearance. You can also see a couple of patches of Phormidium or toxic algae. In the other picture you can clearly see small patches of toxic algae (the dark brown/black patches) amongst large patches of diatom growth.

It’s safe to use the river, but please remain cautious if you are taking your dog down there and make sure they don’t eat anything suspicious (even a small amount of toxic algae can be lethal if they eat it).

On the western side of the region, there is a water quality warning in place for Porirua Harbour at the Rowing Club. The latest sample recorded high bacterial counts which means the site is currently unsafe for swimming. This may have been due to recent rain in the area – rainfall flushes contaminants from land into waterways and we advise you not to swim for at least two days after rainfall, even if a site generally has good water quality.

Don't forget to keep up-to-date with the latest water quality warnings by visiting our interactive water quality map at bit.ly...

2873 days ago

Toxic Algae

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has … View more
Ongoing monitoring of toxic algae in the Waipoua River at Colombo Road has confirmed that toxic algae cover is currently low, meaning the warning that has been place since before Christmas has been removed.

There is still a lot of algae in the river at this site, but the composition has changed. Most of the algae is a species of diatom – slimy but harmless. The close-up below shows a rock that is mostly covered by the diatom species – it’s yellowy/green and bumpy in appearance. You can also see a couple of patches of Phormidium or toxic algae. In the other picture you can clearly see small patches of toxic algae (the dark brown/black patches) amongst large patches of diatom growth.

It’s safe to use the river, but please remain cautious if you are taking your dog down there and make sure they don’t eat anything suspicious (even a small amount of toxic algae can be lethal if they eat it).

On the western side of the region, there is a water quality warning in place for Porirua Harbour at the Rowing Club. The latest sample recorded high bacterial counts which means the site is currently unsafe for swimming. This may have been due to recent rain in the area – rainfall flushes contaminants from land into waterways and we advise you not to swim for at least two days after rainfall, even if a site generally has good water quality.

Don't forget to keep up-to-date with the latest water quality warnings by visiting our interactive water quality map at bit.ly...

2875 days ago

PORSE Christmas gift drive - thank you

Carmel from Ebdentown

A huge thanks for all the gifts that were donated for the PORSE Christmas gift drive. We were overwhelmed by your generosity and community support. The Women's Refuge were so appreciative for the donation. Thank you, thank you from the Hutt Valley PORSE team.
Hope you all had a lovely … View more
A huge thanks for all the gifts that were donated for the PORSE Christmas gift drive. We were overwhelmed by your generosity and community support. The Women's Refuge were so appreciative for the donation. Thank you, thank you from the Hutt Valley PORSE team.
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas and holiday.

2875 days ago

Good condition lounge suite for sale

Carol from Ebdentown

I am getting a new lounge suite and need to sell my current one. I do have a dog that sometimes gets on the furniture but I vacumm and spray each week. This is a 2 seater and 2 x one seaters

Price: $300

2902 days ago

Connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

The Team from Age Concern New Zealand

If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people… View more
If you haven’t already made contact with your neighbour, the holiday season is a perfect opportunity to break the ice.

Sometimes we get caught up in the Christmas rush, and don’t take time to think about people who may be experiencing a much quieter holiday season. Contact with older people can help families to connect with what Christmas is really about, and it’s a great time to explore memories and think about traditions.

Age Concern New Zealand will posting 5 tips leading up to Christmas on how you can connect with your older neighbours this Holiday Season.

1. Invite your older neighbour to share a meal or a cup of tea
Christmas can be a tough time for older people, especially those who live alone. Invite your older neighbour over for a meal this holiday season. This will give you a chance to build a relationship with them.

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2876 days ago

Table (great condition)

Nikki from Totara Park

Please can someone come and get this nice, heavy, good condition dining table - no chairs!

Free. But need gone asap!

Free

2894 days ago

Birchville Dam Breakthrough! (In a good way!)

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Great news at the historic Birchville Dam on Clarke’s Creek where we’ve successfully opened an old intake pipeline, enabling us to lower water levels and reduce the potential downstream impact of a dam failure. Not that that’s likely because, following our inspection of the foundations, all … View moreGreat news at the historic Birchville Dam on Clarke’s Creek where we’ve successfully opened an old intake pipeline, enabling us to lower water levels and reduce the potential downstream impact of a dam failure. Not that that’s likely because, following our inspection of the foundations, all appears to be solid as a rock!

The work, done by GW’s Parks Department along with a team of specialist engineers, was undertaken as part of our dam safety assurance programme.

S
2878 days ago

House for Sale

Shanaka from Ebdentown

86 Pine Avenue is fresh on the market. A great family home in Upper Hutt on a corner section with 3 double generous bedrooms. The home has natural light streaming in and has a spacious feel.

Open plan living and dining area flows onto a recently renovated kitchen. The warm family home has a … View more
86 Pine Avenue is fresh on the market. A great family home in Upper Hutt on a corner section with 3 double generous bedrooms. The home has natural light streaming in and has a spacious feel.

Open plan living and dining area flows onto a recently renovated kitchen. The warm family home has a DVS system and heat pump to keep you warm all year round. This property's bathroom has been upgraded to a high spec.

Great section for the kids outside as it sits on a 506m2 section. A double garage for storage and or two vehicles. This place has on street parking, is close to public transport, shops and day cares/schools. With only a short walk to all the amenities you could need 86 Pine Avenue is a golden location.
www.trademe.co.nz...

Negotiable

2901 days ago

Engineers are inspecting the surrounding rock around the historic Birchville Dam for ongoing public safety

Community Engagement Advisor from Greater Wellington Regional Council

Engineers are inspecting the surrounding rock around the historic Birchville Dam in Akatarawa Forest to ensure that it can continue to safely support the dam structure.

The inspection is entirely precautionary.

We work with specialist engineers at Dam Safety Intelligence Ltd. to inspect the… View more
Engineers are inspecting the surrounding rock around the historic Birchville Dam in Akatarawa Forest to ensure that it can continue to safely support the dam structure.

The inspection is entirely precautionary.

We work with specialist engineers at Dam Safety Intelligence Ltd. to inspect the dam routinely as part of a safety assurance programme, and revisit it after any unusual events, such as the earthquake and flood event last month. Engineers tell us there are no safety issues with the dam wall.

We are preparing the area for geo-technical engineers to check the ongoing strength of the rock that the dam is built on and the connection with the abutments. People using the track will see we’ve removed some of the vegetation and soil around the rock so the engineers can do a thorough assessment.

We are looking to reactivate the control valves and reduce the water level behind the dam.

This is an historic site and a very popular walking track. We want to make sure it remains safe for the community and people can keep enjoying it.

From the Greater Wellington Parks Team

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