Totara Park, Upper Hutt

1382 days ago

Stop the agapanthus invasion

Reporter Community News

Agapanthus are flowering freely at the moment so it is a good time to think about how you can stop them from spreading by deadheading them.
In some parts of New Zealand they are considered an invasive weed.
Click on READ MORE to see a story I wrote in 2018.

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1381 days ago

Would you like to win gardening gear and plant nursery vouchers?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide… View more
Subscribe to our free ezine! Follow this week’s guide to growing chicory and radicchio. Harvest flowers for dried arrangements, plant fast-growing Asian greens, look out for cicada damage and wasps and fill gaps in shelter belts before winter.
Build your own sun-lounger and learn how to divide Bearded Irises. Plus go in the draw to win handspreaders from GARDENA and $35 vouchers from Awapuni Nurseries.

Delivered every Friday to your email inbox, Get Growing digital magazine offers seasonal gardening advice from the NZ Gardener magazine's team of experts. Each week we answer all your burning questions on raising fruit and veges and tell you the top tasks to do in your backyard this weekend. Subscribe here.

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1381 days ago

Indoor pot plant holder

The Team from Resene ColorShop Upper Hutt

Make your own indoor planter and paint it in your favourite bold Resene colour to bring a bit of nature indoors to enjoy year round.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own.

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1383 days ago

Bonus Pet of the Day: Meet Boston

Reporter Community News

This is such a good pic, I thought I had to use it.

"Thought we would send this shot to you. It is classic and so suits his personality.
Boston enjoying being on holiday in Waikanae, pending his move back to Australia. Here is hoping QLD is going to open the border up soon. Charlotte, Peter … View more
This is such a good pic, I thought I had to use it.

"Thought we would send this shot to you. It is classic and so suits his personality.
Boston enjoying being on holiday in Waikanae, pending his move back to Australia. Here is hoping QLD is going to open the border up soon. Charlotte, Peter & Trish Scholes."

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 … View more

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1383 days ago

Way Back Wednesday

Reporter Community News

Neighbourly folk, anyone got an idea where this is?

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1381 days ago

Former journo bringing flamenco to Upper Hutt

Reporter Community News

Ian Sinclair has partied with Rod Stewart, been arrested in Spain by General Francisco Franco’s​ secret police, and in his sixties has found a new career as a flamenco guitarist.
Best known as an experienced journalist on TV One, he covered more than 2000 stories. A regular on the Holmes Show, … View more
Ian Sinclair has partied with Rod Stewart, been arrested in Spain by General Francisco Franco’s​ secret police, and in his sixties has found a new career as a flamenco guitarist.
Best known as an experienced journalist on TV One, he covered more than 2000 stories. A regular on the Holmes Show, he spent periods as a foreign correspondent in areas like Kosovo and Afghanistan.
On Monday, March 22, he will be playing Ian Sinclair – My Secret Life, at Expressions Upper Hutt, combining his love of flamenco with the story of his life and career.
My Secret Life, at Expressions Upper Hutt, Monday, March 22 8pm, tickets $20.

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1381 days ago

Lawnmower

Ross from Totara Park

Masport lawn mower, Briggs& Stratton 3.5 HP. Alloy body
New air filter, new oil, new spark plug & plug boot,
new Ignition set, New control & cable, & blade sharpen.
Phone 027 6149195

Price: $235

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1382 days ago

We Say/You Say: Bottomless Brunches

Reporter Upper Hutt Leader

Hi neighbours,

What do you think about the Wellington City Council's move to ban "bottomless brunches?"

All-you-can-drink alcoholic beverages over a restaurant brunch could be in jeopardy after councillors indicated a ban on such deals.

Several establishments across the city… View more
Hi neighbours,

What do you think about the Wellington City Council's move to ban "bottomless brunches?"

All-you-can-drink alcoholic beverages over a restaurant brunch could be in jeopardy after councillors indicated a ban on such deals.

Several establishments across the city offer unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for a fixed price and this has led to complaints of excessive drinking.

Wellington City Council spokesman Richard MacLean mentioned that several complaints were being followed up by council and police regarding these "all you can drink" deals.

“The ‘bottomless brunch' arrangements are a clear breach of liquor-licensing laws - which are designed to rule out irresponsible consumption of alcohol and intoxication,” MacLean said.

Share your thoughts below and don't forget to type NFP if you don't want your comments featured in your local community newspaper.

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1382 days ago

Te Omanga Hospice boss wins community award

Reporter Community News

Hutt Valley residents did well in the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
Epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker took home the supreme award.
Te Omanga Hospice chief executive Biddy Harford (pictured) rook out the community award. Eastbourne resident Dr Ashley Bloomfield won the public service … View more
Hutt Valley residents did well in the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards.
Epidemiologists, Professor Michael Baker took home the supreme award.
Te Omanga Hospice chief executive Biddy Harford (pictured) rook out the community award. Eastbourne resident Dr Ashley Bloomfield won the public service category and Upper Hutt businessman Malcolm Gillies took out the business category.
Created by The Dominion Post, the Wellingtonian of the Year Awards were started in 1989 to celebrate achievements and contributions across all sectors of the greater Wellington community, awarding those who make the region exciting and vibrant.

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1382 days ago

Upcycling Awards is back for 2021!

Resene

Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us … View more
Do you have old things lying around that you've been meaning to spruce up or recreate? It's time to unleash your DIY skills and bring out your inner artistic spirit. Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.

Give us your all, we want to see your creations! Check out some of last years' entires here.

Take part in the 2021 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Learn more

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1383 days ago

All go for Maidstone Sports Hub

Reporter Community News

The $18 million Maidstone Sports Hub has got the green light.
Work will begin in April, with a completion date December 2022.
This redevelopment will create a multi-purpose sports park, which will be a focal point for recreation in the city, and the Wellington region.
The plan is to create a mix … View more
The $18 million Maidstone Sports Hub has got the green light.
Work will begin in April, with a completion date December 2022.
This redevelopment will create a multi-purpose sports park, which will be a focal point for recreation in the city, and the Wellington region.
The plan is to create a mix of new facilities and improvements; directly addressing the issue of ageing sports infrastructure in Upper Hutt.
The government has allocated $12m from the COVID-19 ‘Shovel Ready Projects’ funds.

1382 days ago

It's NZRC National Annual Appeal Week!

The Team from Red Cross Shop Upper Hutt

Want to donate to our Red Cross Appeal but can’t find any of our street collectors in your area?
Stop by your local Red Cross Shop, and we’ll help you get this sorted!
Just approach one of our friendly Red Cross Shop volunteers by the till and let them know that you wish to donate to the Red … View more
Want to donate to our Red Cross Appeal but can’t find any of our street collectors in your area?
Stop by your local Red Cross Shop, and we’ll help you get this sorted!
Just approach one of our friendly Red Cross Shop volunteers by the till and let them know that you wish to donate to the Red Cross Appeal.

To find the Red Cross Shop near you, click the link below to visit our website.

We look forward to seeing you!

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1384 days ago

Local heroes, two women remove tonnes of rubbish

Reporter Community News

What can we do to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into the sea? That is the question two women are asking after spending a year cleaning up a coastal seal colony near Wellington.
Fishhooks, hundreds of shoes, 160 coffee sacks of rubbish, 48 tyres and 15 crayfish pots.
That is just some of … View more
What can we do to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes into the sea? That is the question two women are asking after spending a year cleaning up a coastal seal colony near Wellington.
Fishhooks, hundreds of shoes, 160 coffee sacks of rubbish, 48 tyres and 15 crayfish pots.
That is just some of the rubbish Lorraine Shaab​ and Noeline Angus​ have removed from a seal colony on the Wainuiomata Coast, near Wellington, over the past year.

1385 days ago

My Wellington: Swee Tan

Reporter Community News

Dr Swee Tan is a world-renowned researcher and plastic surgeon who has lived in Khandallah for 26 years. Born in Malaysia, Tan travelled the world before settling in the capital, where he heads up the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. Here’s his take on life in the capital.

How long have you … View more
Dr Swee Tan is a world-renowned researcher and plastic surgeon who has lived in Khandallah for 26 years. Born in Malaysia, Tan travelled the world before settling in the capital, where he heads up the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute. Here’s his take on life in the capital.

How long have you been a Wellingtonian?
I was here in 1992 when I was doing my training in plastic surgery. We lived here for one year and then went overseas to London, then Oxford and Boston, and then came back in 1995. I was born in Malaysia, and left in 1980. I went to Melbourne, where I studied, and then I went to Hamilton, Christchurch and Wellington. I resisted coming to Wellington because I went through Wellington in 1987 – it was a dead place, there was no restaurant open after 7pm.

Where is your favourite place to eat out?
We are very lucky to have good eating places. Yum cha at Dragons, for example, is one of our favourites. There are so many choices. Noble Rot is a very good place for dinner. If you are after brunch, Cafe Thyme next to the Twigland Garden Centre, which is my favourite garden centre. It’s between Johnsonville and Churton Park.

Where is the best coffee in Wellington?
You put me in a difficult position because in Wellington we have so many great places for coffee. Prefab is great, or Neo Cafe, and Revive in Petone. You can get good coffee anywhere really, but those are really great spot.

What’s an underrated attraction near you?
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush is the only public botanical garden dedicated to native plants, and they are really nice: about 11 kilometres, with many bushes and gardens. We used to take our children there when they were younger. There is a stream there with eels, beautiful eels, an 800-year-old rimu tree and a nice canopy of trees. It is only five minutes away [from the city], it is right here on our doorstep.

What, in Wellington, can’t be beaten on a good day?
Walking along the waterfront with Maestro [Tan’s dog] along the path that takes you to Oriental Pde. It is such a beautiful place.

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1385 days ago

Cat survives being shot in face

Reporter Community News

A cherished family cat has survived being shot in the face, but sustained serious damage from the attack.
Ginger cat Jamie​ took a bullet to the cheek – millimetres from his left eye and narrowly missing his brain – fragmenting his skull.
He was lucky to survive the recent shooting in … View more
A cherished family cat has survived being shot in the face, but sustained serious damage from the attack.
Ginger cat Jamie​ took a bullet to the cheek – millimetres from his left eye and narrowly missing his brain – fragmenting his skull.
He was lucky to survive the recent shooting in Wellington.
But the incident has left him deaf in one ear and the pupil in his left eye unable to contract.
Meanwhile, the SPCA is appealing to the public for help with its investigation into the shooting.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 0800 467 732 in confidence and quote reference 323422.

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