Aro Valley, Wellington

1469 days ago

Tetraplegic disputes $30k motel bill

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A tetraplegic man is fighting ACC and the Ministry of Social Development over a $30,000 debt, accumulated after he was put up in a motel when there were no suitable homes with wheelchair access.

Both organisations stopped funding the motel even though John Horsfield, 53, had nowhere else to go. He… View more
A tetraplegic man is fighting ACC and the Ministry of Social Development over a $30,000 debt, accumulated after he was put up in a motel when there were no suitable homes with wheelchair access.

Both organisations stopped funding the motel even though John Horsfield, 53, had nowhere else to go. He was thrown from a scooter in February 2015, while travelling at 70 kilometres an hour.

”I landed squarely on my back. If I had rolled I would’ve broken my arms and legs,” he said.

Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner Gagau Annandale-Stone said Horsfield didn’t qualify for emergency housing support, because he had significant cash assets, including a large ACC pay-out. “We advised John that we were no longer able to make the emergency grant non-recoverable, and he would need to pay it back,” he said.

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1471 days ago

Poll: Should we be building quarantine facilities instead of using hotels for Covid 19 quarantine

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Experts are warning that there will be more pandemics in the future.
Rather than put people in hotels, some experts are arguing we should put people in purpose built facilities.

Professor Nick Wilson, of Otago University’s public heath department, said returnee breakouts and virus spread from … View more
Experts are warning that there will be more pandemics in the future.
Rather than put people in hotels, some experts are arguing we should put people in purpose built facilities.

Professor Nick Wilson, of Otago University’s public heath department, said returnee breakouts and virus spread from hotels which were not built for a pandemic means there is still the risk of another Auckland-sized outbreak.

Wilson told Stuff instead of hotels spread across the country, New Zealand needed a purpose-built facility in a more remote area with flight connections, like the Ōhakea Air Base in Manawatū. Planes carrying returnees could fly direct, and passengers should be tested several days before departure.

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Should we be building quarantine facilities instead of using hotels for Covid 19 quarantine
  • 65.4% Yes
    65.4% Complete
  • 34.6% No
    34.6% Complete
266 votes
1471 days ago

Support for Wellington to be called Te Whanganui-a-Tara following Māori Party's language policy announcement

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A Māori Party proposal to change the name of Wellington to Te Whanganui-a-Tara has the support of city leaders.

Kaumātua and Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui chairman Kura Moeahu said he strongly supported the move to return place names to the original ingoa Māori. It … View more
A Māori Party proposal to change the name of Wellington to Te Whanganui-a-Tara has the support of city leaders.

Kaumātua and Te Rūnanganui o Te Āti Awa ki te Upoko o te Ika a Maui chairman Kura Moeahu said he strongly supported the move to return place names to the original ingoa Māori. It would helps everyone understand the local history, he said. "There is a narration that goes with each of these names.

Wellington City Councillor Jill Day (Ngāti Tūwharetoa), who holds the Māori Partnerships portfolio, welcomed the announcement.

Commuters spoken to in Wellington by Stuff also supported the idea. Craig Lambert thought Te Ūpoko o te Ika a Māui was a more inclusive alternative. ”It represents all people.”

“Many of our cities and towns were named after people who never came to Aotearoa, with no consideration of the names that were already in use,” Day said.

Fellow Councillor Tamatha Paul (Ngāti Awa and Waikato Tainui) said there were about 39 places called Wellington in the world.

A poll on Neighbourly with over 520 respondents was 81 per cent against a name change.

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1470 days ago

Somersaulting Wgtn councillor

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

If it were not for an injury in 2018, Wellington City Cr Sean Rush would still be competing in gymnastics, aged 51.

It was a sport he got into as a 9-year-old in Hawke’s Bay. By his teen years he was representing New Zealand. At the age of 15 he got a near-perfect 9.9 score on the high beam at … View more
If it were not for an injury in 2018, Wellington City Cr Sean Rush would still be competing in gymnastics, aged 51.

It was a sport he got into as a 9-year-old in Hawke’s Bay. By his teen years he was representing New Zealand. At the age of 15 he got a near-perfect 9.9 score on the high beam at an Australian competition.

He gave it away but started again, aged about 40 in Calgary, Canada. When he returned to New Zealand he went to Capital Gym Sports in Newtown with hopes of competing again as a 50-year-old. But that dream ended when he “buggered” his knee doing a summersault.

He is just one of a number of councillors with a hidden talent

1470 days ago

Cat Allergy

Robert Anderson from

What is cat allergen?
An allergen is a material that is capable of provoking an allergic reaction, such as pollen grains, dust mites or foods. Cat allergen is not cat hair, but a protein present in the dander and saliva of cats. These allergens become airborne as microscopic particles that can … View more
What is cat allergen?
An allergen is a material that is capable of provoking an allergic reaction, such as pollen grains, dust mites or foods. Cat allergen is not cat hair, but a protein present in the dander and saliva of cats. These allergens become airborne as microscopic particles that can produce allergic symptoms when inhaled into the nose or lungs.

Although individual cats may produce more or less allergen, there is no relationship between the pet’s hair length and allergen production, and no such thing as a non-allergenic breed.

Where is cat allergen found?
Cat allergen is present in the largest amounts in homes with cats, but has also been found in homes where cats have never been present, and in offices or public spaces where animals are not allowed. Cat allergen is particularly sticky and is carried on clothing to other locations. It is almost impossible to not be exposed to some level of cat allergen. Of course, levels of exposure will be much higher where cats are present, and these levels are more likely to cause allergic symptoms.

Because cat allergen particles are particularly small (1/10 the size of dust mite allergen), they remain airborne for prolonged periods of time. Cat allergic individuals are more likely to have a rapid onset of symptoms when entering a room with cats, because the allergen will be in the air and can be easily inhaled. Opening windows, using exhaust fans and using high-efficiency air cleaners can decrease airborne allergen levels.

Soft furnishings, such as carpets, sofas, and mattresses, will hold cat allergen even after a cat is removed from the home or banished from the bedroom. It has been shown that it can take as long as 20 weeks for levels of allergen in carpets to decrease to the levels found in a home without a cat, and up to five years for cat allergen levels in mattresses to decrease to such levels. Removal or treatment of the carpet and sofa, and encasing of the mattress, will reduce the continued exposure to these reservoirs of allergen.

Cat allergen is also found on vertical surfaces such as walls. Attempts to decrease cat allergen exposure in a home should include wall cleaning. If the cat is removed to a restricted area of the home, it is important to realise that airflow through the duct system in a hot air heated home could spread the allergen. Efficient vent and furnace filters could help trap the allergens and reduce this spread.

Step 1: Use Allergen Wash. To get all the cat saliva and dander off your clothing and bedding, use a special detergent that removes all allergens. Use the warmest water setting possible for the fabrics to get all of the saliva and dander out.

Step 2: Use a vacuum with a high efficiency air filter. These filters remove more allergens from the carpeting and upholstery than regular vacuums. Vacuum all the floors and furniture thoroughly to get everything out. Wait several hours after the first vacuuming and go over everything again. This allows the dust you stir up the first time to settle, and you get the remnants of that dust on the second vacuuming. Make sure to empty the vacuum or change the bag outside to prevent everything you vacuumed from coming back in.

Step 3: Steam clean. After vacuuming everything completely, go over the whole area with a steam cleaner. The steam cleaner gets more of the allergens out of the carpet than the vacuum, picking up the cat saliva and dander deeper in the fibres.

Step 4: Take it to the cleaners. Take things you can't wash, such as curtains, to the cleaners. Cleaning will remove the cat saliva and dander from the fabrics. Curtain Clean has a special product used to remove cat allergen. You should advise your curtain or dry cleaners of your allergy so they may apply the correct product.

Step 5: Keep the cats off your fabrics. As soon as the cats get close to any of the fabrics, the dander and saliva will return. Studies have demonstrated that washing of cats with water removes much of their surface allergen, and significantly reduces the amount of future cat allergen produced.

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1470 days ago

Washing baskets

Ruzana from Te Aro

Two washing baskets hardly used

Price: $10

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1470 days ago

Nissan National Demonstrator Sale

The Team from Gazley

Nissan’s National 4 day Demonstrator sale starts Wednesday the 16th until Sunday the 20th of September.

Save thousands across the Nissan range on near new Demonstrators, to view our current Nissan stock check out the link or www.gazleynissan.com, or give us a call on 04 381 3000.
Find out more

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1470 days ago

It's back... for a limited time only!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Hungry for local customers? Give your business a restart boost with a FREE 3-month Premium Business Listing.

Usually $150, your 3-month Premium Listing enables you to reach thousands of people who live around your business! Find friendly locals who want your services, introduce your team and … View more
Hungry for local customers? Give your business a restart boost with a FREE 3-month Premium Business Listing.

Usually $150, your 3-month Premium Listing enables you to reach thousands of people who live around your business! Find friendly locals who want your services, introduce your team and share what makes you stand out from the rest.

There's no catch and no hidden fees. It's just our small way of saying thank you for playing such an essential part in our communities.

Grab a FREE 3 Month Premium Business Listing now. (Feel free to share the news with your fellow small business owners too!)

*This is a limited time offer
Get 3 months FREE

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1470 days ago

Children's & Teenagers Art Classes at Inverlochy Art School

Cheryl from Karori

Art classes for children and teenagers - bookings now open for holiday, after-school and evening programmes - drawing, painting, screenprinting, sewing, cartooning & zines
Visit www.inverlochy.org.nz...

1470 days ago

Staying Safe Workshop

Lorna Harvey from

Join us for a Staying Safe Workshop. Monday 9th November, 10AM - 2PM. Improve your driving skills and feel more confident on the road. In this free refresher workshop for senior drivers, we will discuss:
- updated road rules
- how age affects driving ability and
- how to adapt your driving … View more
Join us for a Staying Safe Workshop. Monday 9th November, 10AM - 2PM. Improve your driving skills and feel more confident on the road. In this free refresher workshop for senior drivers, we will discuss:
- updated road rules
- how age affects driving ability and
- how to adapt your driving technique for today's busy roads
info@ageconcernwellington.org.nz or 04 499 6648 for more information and to register.

1470 days ago

Masterton man wins ACC case

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

A young Masterton welder’s health nightmare is nearly over with the swipe of a bureaucrat’s pen.

Last week Aiden Sayer, 21, who was almost killed in a workplace accident earlier this year, was languishing on a public waiting list for a bladder stone procedure that ACC should have covered.

His… View more
A young Masterton welder’s health nightmare is nearly over with the swipe of a bureaucrat’s pen.

Last week Aiden Sayer, 21, who was almost killed in a workplace accident earlier this year, was languishing on a public waiting list for a bladder stone procedure that ACC should have covered.

His urologist argued that the bladder stone was caused by having to endure a catheter for a month following his February accident. ACC said no, but after persistent lobbying and a story on Stuff last week, the corporation has changed its mind.

Following ACC acceptance, his urologist has quickly arranged for a procedure to be carried out in a private medical facility next Tuesday.

“I’ll be able to do more hours of work ... I’ll be able to work on my car, be able to go out with friends, return to a normal life. I couldn’t do that before because of my stone,” Sayer said.

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1470 days ago

Power outage - Central City

Simone Borgstede from Wellington City Council

Wellington Electricity have advised there is a power outage affecting much of the central city.

We are arranging for a temporary power supply to the location.
Please take care and we will share updates as they come.

www.welectricity.co.nz...

1471 days ago

Metlinks thanks the public

Nicholas Boyack Reporter from Community News

Metlink is thanking Wellington commuters for their cooperation following the Government announcement that physical distancing is no longer required on public transport.

"We would like to thank everyone for their hard work complying with these measures on board our services for the last few … View more
Metlink is thanking Wellington commuters for their cooperation following the Government announcement that physical distancing is no longer required on public transport.

"We would like to thank everyone for their hard work complying with these measures on board our services for the last few weeks. This has been made possible by the your continued support for wearing face coverings on board public transport, which has made our services safer for both passengers and staff."

The Government still expects all New Zealanders to wear face coverings on public transport with exemptions only for school services, children under 12 years old, and passengers with disability and health concerns. Passengers should continue to follow the Government’s level 2 advice which includes logging their journeys using QR codes and the COVID-19 app, practicing good personal hygiene by washing and sanitising their hands before and after travelling, sneezing and coughing into their elbows and avoiding public transport completely if they are sick. Passengers can keep up to date with the Government’s latest alert level 2 measures on public transport through Metlink's social media, website and app.

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1470 days ago

Just windy Wellington things

Simone Borgstede from Wellington City Council

Spring is quite literally in the air, with severe northwest gales hitting the capital!

Make sure you've got your wheelie bin clip secured, your trampoline strapped down, and if you see any debris that needs clearing, give us a call on 04 499 4444 or report it via the FIXiT app.

If possible,… View more
Spring is quite literally in the air, with severe northwest gales hitting the capital!

Make sure you've got your wheelie bin clip secured, your trampoline strapped down, and if you see any debris that needs clearing, give us a call on 04 499 4444 or report it via the FIXiT app.

If possible, please put your kerbside rubbish and recycling out in the morning instead of overnight.

Me whai kia haumaru, Pōneke - Play it safe Wellington

wellington.govt.nz...

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1491 days ago

Poll: What to do with Shelly Bay?

Matt Tso Reporter from Community News

With the proposal to put a National Heritage Park on the highly contested site having recently come out of the woodwork, what do you think would be of most benefit to the city?

What to do with Shelly Bay?
  • 18.1% Housing
    18.1% Complete
  • 62.1% National Heritage Park
    62.1% Complete
  • 16.8% Keep it as it is
    16.8% Complete
  • 3.1% None of the above - bring back the flying boats!
    3.1% Complete
393 votes
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