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388 days ago

Local City Councils In Cash Crisis

Michael from Trentham

Not so much Upper Hutt and Porirua, but Wellington and Lower Hutt city councils are in a debt and improvements bind.

Wellington is in such a bad state with earthquake strengthening structures uncompleted and hugely costly, water and sewerage pipes disintegrating into dust, working from home killing the CBD and trying to preserve/resurrect buildings that have had their day in a historical-histrionics fervour while pursuing costly flavour-of-the-day cycle lanes, and the flailing of LGWM.

Lower Hutt, a place I also know well, has not a lot going for it apart from Queensgate; Jackson Street retail and hospitality; fresh, cold, untainted spring water for those with water containers. But LH is facing a 20% rise in rates and there is no end game to this. The Melling interchange and rail realignment will be a big blow out of costs for sure.

By comparison, Upper Hutt is almost trucking along and at least has a number of features that set it apart from its regional neighbours - Lower Hutt, Porirua, Kapiti and the Wairarapa.

More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

What's your favourite tomato recipe?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.

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1 day ago

Moe mai rā, Nicholas.

Justin Wong Reporter from The Post

We're sad to announce the passing of Nicholas Boyack, our Hutt Valley reporter who has long written for The Dominion Post, The Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader.

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1 day ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 83.2% Yes
    83.2% Complete
  • 14.5% No
    14.5% Complete
  • 2.3% Other - I'll share below
    2.3% Complete
1056 votes