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Emergency alert test
Please be aware that between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday night there will be a national test of the new mobile emergency alerting system.
This means that you may receive a text message on your mobile phone accompanied by a distinctive and loud alerting sound.
This will be a national test message … View morePlease be aware that between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday night there will be a national test of the new mobile emergency alerting system.
This means that you may receive a text message on your mobile phone accompanied by a distinctive and loud alerting sound.
This will be a national test message sent by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management. You are not required to take any action except to read the message and become familiar with the new system.
There is no need to sign up or download an app - all capable phones will receive the alert. The Ministry estimates about 2 million phones will receive the alerts and the number will grow over time as people upgrade and replace their phones.
If you would like more information, visit civildefence.govt.nz or see the Emergency Mobile Alert fact sheet here.
Christmas playground in town
A children's charity which provides free raincoats, food, shoes and socks along with health items to 44 schools in Wellington will benefit from a new Christmas event.
The Courtenay Central Courtyard Christmas Playground will give locals the opportunity to fully embrace the season with a … View moreA children's charity which provides free raincoats, food, shoes and socks along with health items to 44 schools in Wellington will benefit from a new Christmas event.
The Courtenay Central Courtyard Christmas Playground will give locals the opportunity to fully embrace the season with a winter wonderland-themed space, complete with Saturday Christmas markets, live music, pop-up sweet treats, Little Elves workshops at a custom-made Gingerbread House and free throwback Christmas movies every Friday.
A Courtyard Gift Wrapping station will also be available from 14 December, where gifts will be wrapped for a gold coin donation to local charity KidsCan.
Julie Chapman CEO and Co-founder of KidsCan says the charity is grateful to be involved and currently assists 44 schools in Wellington.
“We’re really thankful to be the recipient charity of this fantastically festive Christmas playground pop-up. Since 2005, KidsCan has been helping create brighter futures for Kiwi kids living in hardship by giving them food in school, clothing, health and hygiene items, so they can get into the classroom in a position to learn.
“We have a strong connection with Wellington as we proudly support 44 KidsCan schools in the Capital. Each gold coin given this December will go towards changing the lives of Kiwi kids who need a hand-up, what an incredible Christmas gift! A sincere thank you from the KidsCan team, our schools and the children we support.”
Courtenay Central’s Amy Boston says the Centre is proud to be bringing this initiative to Wellington especially as it will benefit more local children in low decile schools.
“It was really important to us that we were able to find a way to give back to the members of the local community who find it tough to get by throughout the year.
“As well as bringing families together, this event will see local children benefit through a charity network which helps feed and clothe them at a time when many of us are at our most generous,” she says.
As well as donating a coin for local children, families will also be able to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a family photo. This year they’ll even be able to include the family pet with Pawtraits which will be part of the Awkward Christmas Portrait Station.
Other entertainment set to take place at The Courtyard Christmas Playground during December includes In-House Monogramming, a Flash Mob Choir, Snow Blower, and Winter Wonderland Styling Concept Installation with Light Project Installation and Workshops with well-known stylists demonstrating floral arranging, candle making, and table dressing.
Families will also be treated to some free movies with Christmas classics showing every Friday evening, Polar Express, Elf and Love Actually will screen on consecutive Friday evenings at 6pm from 8 December. Christmas-themed treats and popcorn will be available for purchase to fully embrace the festive season flicks.
The Courtyard Christmas Playground will run from 2 December until 24 December.
For more information, visit www.the...
Soaring water consumption prompts warning, water patrols
Wellington Water is calling on the residents of Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley to cut back on their water use this weekend, and make sure they observe garden watering restrictions.
A prolonged dry spell, with more to come according to forecasters, has seen water use soar. Last Sunday … View moreWellington Water is calling on the residents of Wellington, Porirua and the Hutt Valley to cut back on their water use this weekend, and make sure they observe garden watering restrictions.
A prolonged dry spell, with more to come according to forecasters, has seen water use soar. Last Sunday consumption in the four cities reached 171 million litres for the day (MLD) – around 30 million litres more than a typical day, and the highest November total in five years.
“Last time we had such a warm, dry spring, we ended up with a hosing ban in summer,” said Jeremy McKibbin, Wellington Water’s manager of treatment plant operations.
Mr McKibbin said there are a number of water supply challenges he is dealing with, including having reduced supply from the Waiwhetu Aquifer until new ultraviolet treatment plant comes online in January, that makes it important water demand does not exceed 160 MLD too often.
“We’re also putting in new filters in the treatment plant at Te Marua, where our summer storage lakes are, to reduce the risk from toxic algae.” The new filtration system is expected to be fully operational in December.
As river supplies dry up, the aquifer and storage lakes are what keep the Wellington metropolitan water supply going.
“There will be enough water to go round if everyone does their bit,” said Mr McKibbin.
“This includes following garden watering restrictions, and water saving tips like using buckets to wash the car, or a broom to sweep the path, rather than the hose.
Water patrols will be starting this week, to ensure people are following the restrictions. Restrictions are based on the odds and evens system, which allows residents to use one unattended watering system (sprinkler, irrigation system, soaker hose), from 6-8am and 7-9pm, according to their street address and the date:
· Residents of odd numbered houses (e.g. 1, 13, 57) can water on odd numbered dates (e.g. 1st, 15th, 23rd) of the month, between 6-8am and 7-9pm only.
· Residents of even numbered houses (e.g. 2, 4, 12) can water on even numbered dates (e.g. 2nd, 6th and 24th) of the month, between 6-8am and 7-9pm only.
Berhampore School has the Knack
Kristmas Knack - beautiful, original, NZ handmade craft and design
Knack is Berhampore School's major fundraiser and is run four times a year, seasonally.
Our Christmas market this weekend runs over two dates, a mellow Friday evening for a more relaxed couple of hours offering the … View moreKristmas Knack - beautiful, original, NZ handmade craft and design
Knack is Berhampore School's major fundraiser and is run four times a year, seasonally.
Our Christmas market this weekend runs over two dates, a mellow Friday evening for a more relaxed couple of hours offering the opportunity to meet with friends and leave the kids at home. We'll have great live music, authentic Italian pizza, delicious salads and cakes for you to enjoy while you browse the school hall full of craft and design.
On Saturday, we'll have a separate area of kids' activities, run by the Berhampore School senior classes. Alongside the craft - babies', kids' and women's clothing, hand-carved wooden spoons, silver jewellery, felted ornaments, seedlings, original art prints, bags, wallets, lampshades, bespoke weaving, hair accessories, skincare products, hats, gloves, cushions, tea towels - will be Iranian and Filipino food, and we'll have the wonderful Havana coffee machine in action on both dates.
Free parking, and EFTPOS available.
Friday 24th November, 6-8pm
Saturday 25th November, 9:30am-2:30pm
Berhampore Primary School hall, Britomart Street (off Adelaide Road), Berhampore. For further information contact: knack.market@gmail.com or phone Justine on 972-4099 or 027-381-3409.
Designer brings rock 80s glam to hit show
Rock of Ages, a musical built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, is coming to Wellington this month meaning costume director Paul Smith is busy making sure everyone will be at their glam rock best.
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