Once essential, now dispensable. Is there a future for the venerable Yellow Pages? Every year, the Yellow Pages get thinner and thinner. What was once a guaranteed money-spinner for Telecom, with businesses paying good coin to advertise within a fat directory of categorised landline listings and display advertising has been gutted by websites, social media …
The Phoenix Foundation and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra join forces tonight under the baton of NZSO Associate Conductor Hamish McKeich, marking 20 years since the popular band was founded in Wellington. The NZSO and The Phoenix Foundation – Celebrate! concert at the Michael Fowler Centre from 7:30pm will also take place over the following days …
Phoenix Foundation celebrate 20 years tonight with NZSO gig and collected works Read More »
A prominent broadcaster, a solo theatre maker, the Royal New Zealand Ballet, and a partnership that ran a creative writing workshop for writers, the public and prisoners were all winners for Wellington at the national Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards last night. The annual Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards, presented in Parliament by …
Diversity, partnership and innovation celebrated at Arts Access Awards Read More »
Celebrate the Cook Islands, enjoy script vs impro, a session for songwriters, and separate shows featuring a Sydney trumpeter and a Steely Dan sideman workin’ the ‘bone. Cook Islands mamas (and papas) at the opening of the Islands in Time exhibition, National Library of NZ To celebrate Cook Islands Language Week, take a guided tour …
Content provided by BusinessDesk, “the only business news source you need”. A ten-day free trial is available at https://www.businessdesk.co.nz/ By Paul McBeth Aug. 1 (BusinessDesk) – Ebert Construction is the latest local building firm to fall over in the midst of a major boom, with receivers appointed to the parent company as escalating costs in some poorly performing projects …
Leading construction company Ebert Construction Ltd has gone into receivership. Receivers were called in by the company last night, with workers and contractors locked out of the company’s construction sites this morning. Workers and contractors received letters from receivers confirming the company is in receivership, and that they would have to go through the receivership …
Ebert Construction receivership may affect Wellington projects Read More »
Rock face works are taking place today on Remutaka Hill, State Highway 2, and will continue to Friday. A Stop/Go procedure will be in place near the summit on Wednesday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:00pm There will be a temporary speed restriction of 30 km/hr. Road users are advised to stop on request. Roadworks are …
Information received from the public, and responses to the television programme Police Ten 7, has resulted in the arrest of a man charged with an alleged indecent assault in Pine Avenue, Upper Hutt. A man was arrested yesterday by Wellington District Crime Squad officers after detectives and the victim appealed for public help through Police …
Information from public and Police Ten 7 leads to Hutt arrest Read More »
Wellington primary teachers and principals will join a nationwide day of strike action on Wednesday 15 August. A clear majority of teachers and principals voted through their member groups for a full day’s action, according to the teachers’ union, the New Zealand Educational Institute. The NZEI has been asking for improved working conditions and a …
Full day of strike action for primary teachers and principals Read More »
The Te Putanga Toi Arts Access Awards 2018 takes place tonight at Parliament, with a new name, and accolades being given to a range of individuals and organisations improving access to the arts for all New Zealanders. The 2017 Arts Access Accolade winner Olivier Lacoua, General Manager of CQ Hotels Wellington, is presented with his …
A zoo pinch and Suffrage punch for the first of the month, plus dresses, lanterns and true stories. August means Winter Wednesdays at Wellington Zoo, 200 Daniell St, Newtown. From 9:30am to 5:00pm general admission for adults is $16.00, children $6.00, and under threes are free. Attend talks, and learn about how animals change and cope over …
Hugh Rennie QC has followed his criticism from 16 July regarding the proposed name change for Victoria University of Wellington with another piece published on Scoop. His concerns about the proposal have heightened. You can read his analysis here: http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=111112#more-111112 Our earlier story runs below. “Victoria” to “Wellington”: a damaging plan By Mark Cubey Earlier this …
“Victoria” to “Wellington”: a damaging plan [UPDATED] Read More »
The Black Caps and White Ferns will play three double header international T20 cricket matches against India next year, with the first taking place at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium. It’s the first time both teams have played in international double-header games. The matches are scheduled for Waitangi Day, 6 February, with the White Ferns hosting the …
Historic cricket double header for Black Caps and White Ferns in Wellington Read More »
A letter to the NZTA from seven-year-old Hutt Valley girl Zoe Carew has led to the agency moving to replace “linemen” signs with a revised “line crew” wording. In the letter to Fergus Gammie, chief executive of the New Zealand Transport Agency, Zoe Carew explained how while being driven by her father to visit her grandparents …
LINEMEN signs will change to LINE CREW after request from seven-year-old Read More »
The New Zealand Transport Agency advises that a contraflow lane will be in place this week on SH1 at MacKays Crossing between Paekakariki and Paraparaumu. The lane will be in place from today through to Saturday, from 5:30am to 7:00pm. This is to allow project works, though these are dependent on weather and other factors. …
Metlink have advised that some morning peak services will have reduced seating over the next week, due to fleet maintenance. Metlink have issued an apology for the inconvenience caused and appreciate the patience of passengers as they work to resolve this as quickly as possible. Today, Kapiti Line services affected include the 6:46am service from …
Reduced seating for peak morning Hutt and Kapiti train services Read More »
Victoria University of Wellington pocketed $28 million for selling the Karori Teachers College campus to Ryman Healthcare. Property records revealed yesterday show that a company controlled by retirement village operator Ryman Healthcare paid $28 million to the university for the site in December 2017. The title to the 3.7-hectare site Karori campus site was acquired …
Film, dance, theatre, wellbeing and engineering options on offer today. The New Zealand International Film Festival continues with 34 screenings today, three of which are sold out. Today’s programme begins at 10:30am with The Heart Dances – the journey of The Piano: the ballet, including a Q&A session afterwards with New Zealand director and producer …
Metlink report that services between Wellington and Porirua have now resumed following resolution of this afternoon’s track fault. All train services between Wellington and Porirua have been given clearance The first northbound service to depart Wellington was the 3:33pm from Wellington to Porirua. Buses will continue to operate between Wellington and Waikanae while Metlink returns …
Two men have been arrested following a spate of thefts from parking meters across central Wellington. Over 25 parking meters were broken into during July, and coins stolen. The meters were also damaged in the process. A 37-year-old man and a 31-year-old man have been charged with wilful damage and theft, and are due to …
Petty purloiners from parking meters pinched by police Read More »
Wellington philanthropist Gareth Morgan announced over the weekend that The Opportunities Party (TOP) may continue, despite a statement on 9 July that the party would be deregistered. TOP, which Morgan founded to contest the last election, failed to clear the 5 per cent threshold in November for a seat in Parliament. In a post on …
Victoria University of Wellington’s Council has agreed to change the tertiary institution’s name to “University of Wellington”, removing the word “Victoria”. The University Council has voted unanimously in principle to recommend that the Minister of Education approve University of Wellington as the new legal name for the University, as well as adopting a new Māori …
Housing New Zealand has re-opened about 100 houses of the 240 from which tenants were evicted because of so-called meth contamination. The reopening of the houses across New Zealand – a third of which are in Auckland – comes two months after HNZ accepted the recommendation of the then Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman, …
Evicted meth-test homes in Wellington now mostly re-occupied Read More »
Authors, films, UFOs and an amazing technicolour dreamcoat are on the agenda today. Writer, activist and former social worker and Auckland city councillor Maire Leadbeater will speak about her new book at Unity Books today from 12:00pm to 12:45pm. See No Evil: New Zealand’s Betrayal of the People of West Papua focuses on the impact …
Police have located the 38-year-old man who escaped from custody at Hutt Hospital last Monday. Police have been conducting extensive enquiries to find Donald Keepa, who was located at an address in Featherston on Saturday night and arrested without incident. He has been returned to prison and will be charged with escaping custody.
Head to the market, experience Korean culture, find out about chocolate making, swap art supplies, and reduce plastic at events this weekend. At the Wellington Underground Market at Jervois Quay under Frank Kitts Park from 10:00am to 4:00pm Saturday shoppers can spend money at a weekly community-focussed hub for all things creative and inspirational. Traditional …
Your high five for the weekend of Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 July Read More »
A rare selenelion event will be observable in Wellington tomorrow morning, with a chance to witness the sun and an eclipsed moon in the sky at the same time. Blood Moon photo by Derek Liang Story by Mark Cubey Saturday morning’s lunar eclipse will be the longest Blood Moon of the century, lasting one hour and …
Long-running community care providers Compassion Soup Kitchen were honoured last night as Supreme Winner at the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards, for their commitment to helping vulnerable people. Compassion Soup Kitchen has been operating in Wellington since 1899. Based in Haining Street, it provides breakfast and dinner to those in need, alongside access to computers, …
Workshops tomorrow in Newtown and Wilton will discuss what the public wants for the future of Newtown community facilities, and for the Otari-Wilton’s Bush nursery. The Newtown Residents Association, the Newtown Community Centre and the Wellington City Council are working together to ensure the people of Newtown are at the centre of shaping the future …
Public input sought on community facilities and nursery Read More »
Firefighters were called out shortly after 6:00 this morning to battle a large blaze at the two-storey Chair Solutions premises in Gracefield, Lower Hutt. A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency reports that a dozen trucks are at the scene, including specialist support. No surrounding properties are at any risk, but nearby residents have been warned …
Wellington’s Dominion Post and parent company Stuff face an uncertain future as Australian media is bushwhacked by a surprise takeover. By Mark Cubey In the biggest change to Australasian media ownership in decades, the giant free-to-air television, digital publishing, video-on-demand and content production organisation Nine Entertainment has announced a surprise takeover of rival Fairfax Media. …
Media landscape rocked as Nine set to gobble up Fairfax Read More »
Twenty-two sessions on the opening three days of the New Zealand International Film Festival have sold out before the Festival opened today, with many other sessions expected to sell out over the weekend. Joaquin Phoenix in You Were Never Really Here The list of sold-out sessions, as of last night, includes: Friday 27 July 4.30pm The …
Sellout sessions already for Film Festival opening weekend Read More »
Planned changes to the contracting of service providers in the Wellington region by local District Health Boards must include stability and certainty for home care workers and their client, according to the PSA and E tū unions. Photo by Matthias Zomer from Pexels The Capital and Coast DHB and Hutt Valley DHB are dumping their …
New home care services need stability and certainty, say unions Read More »
The Capital and Coast District Health Board reports that changes made last year to diabetes treatments are reducing the number of hyper or hypoglycaemic incidents (where blood glucose levels become too high or low) experienced by patients with diabetes. The changes were implemented last year as a package that included new policies around prescribing and …
Treatment changes get sweet results for diabetes patients Read More »
The Film Festival starts today in Wellington – and there are also blobbles, cultural memory, puns and winter love to warm your heart. Bring your tamariki along to Blobbles, the new free PlayHQ sensory experience at Capital E, 4 Queens Wharf from 9:30am to 3:30pm, and let them feel their way around an immersive and colourful …
After nearly two months of strengthening work, Ortega Fish Shack is back in action in Majoribanks Street, with a new neighbour, Frenchie. Story and photos by Mark Cubey The Ortega Fish Shack reopened on Tuesday at 16 Majoribanks Street after extensive strengthening work was completed, lifting the building out of its yellow-stickered status. Kim van …
The demolition of Gordon Wilson Flats, one of only two buildings of its kind in the country, will almost certainly happen. But two students from the university that owns the building are working on a project to preserve it in virtual reality. In May, the Wellington City Council made a zone change for the Terrace …
[UDATED] NZTA advises that as of 8:55am the crash near the intersection of Moonshine Road on SH5 Haywards Hill has now been cleared. At 7:40am this morning, NZTA advised reports of a crash blocking one lane of SH58 on Haywards Hill near the intersection with Moonshine Road. NZTA thanks motorists for their patience.
Puppets, debate, basketball, bedtime parenting and poetry slam are on the events agenda today. Small children have another chance to enjoy Puppets in the Portrait Gallery, a series of puppet shows inspired by portraits in Toi Art at Te Papa, 55 Cable Street. Today, puppeteer Anna Bailey of String Bean Puppets performs The Runaway Sheep, …
A protest on the farrowing of sows takes place at lunchtime tomorrow, with talks on fresh water quality and the housing crisis in the evening, and a Plastic Free Resistance Party going into the night. Princess Buttercup talks to RNZ. In March, New Zealand’s leading animal advocacy organisation SAFE (Save Animals From Exploitation) gave Parliament …
Metlink advise that all train services on the Kapiti line have returned to timetable following this morning’s issue of track misalignment, which has now been resolved. Kapiti line tickets will still be accepted on the Johnsonville line for the remainder of the day.
Metlink have advised all train services between Wellington and Porirua on the Kapiti line are currently suspended due to a possible track obstruction. A crew is currently on site checking the track. Buses are currently operating between Wellington and Porirua. There will be trains shuttling between Porirua and Waikanae, but these will not run to timetable. …
Wellington/Porirua trains suspended due to possible track obstruction Read More »
Arguments and contrary claims continue to fly between the union representing bus drivers and their employer. Tramways Union Secretary Kevin O’Sullivan sent a formal invitation yesterday to Tranzit Group managing director Paul Snelgrove inviting him to a Friday meeting at Trades Hall to commence bargaining. He says that the union wants to settle a fair …
Driver stoush continues between Tramways and Tranzit Read More »
UPDATE: The crash which forced both southbound lanes to temporarily merge causing significant congestion, has now been cleared. Significant southbound congestion remains and will need time to clear, but traffic will begin to flow from Paekakariki to Pukerua Bay as congestion eases. EARLIER STORY: Police are warning motorists travelling to Wellington from the Kapiti Coast …
Books, archives, beer, film and swing offer you diversion today. Photo by Jamie Taylor on Unsplash Great reads at great prices can be snapped up all week at the Upper Hutt Pop-Up Library on the ground floor of the CBD Towers building 84-90 Main Street, Upper Hutt. The Massive Winter Book Sale runs until Friday 27 July from …
The New Zealand International Film Festival has made a late addition to its programme: the classic 1987 concert film Sign O’ the Times, directed by and starring the late musical genius Prince. The film had its New Zealand debut at the Auckland Film Festival in 1988 but has long been unavailable here because of conflict …
Prince concert film signed up just in time for Festival Read More »
A fact-filled article published today by our friends at Wellington Scoop takes a long (3000-word) hard look at the new bus routes and timetables. Mike Flinn, a former assistant general manager of Wellington City Transport, goes beyond the initial teething problems with the introduction of the new contracts and services, and considers the suitability of …
Hutt Valley Police are appealing for the public’s help to locate Donald Keepa who has a warrant for his arrest. The 38-year-old is wanted for escaping custody after an incident at Hutt Hospital this morning. He was last seen in Avalon near Kennedy Good Bridge and State Highway 2. Keepa is 172cm tall, medium build, …
Hoping to get a last-minute ticket for the live show by children’s writing superstars Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton this evening? Forget it. Totally sold out. Here are some other options… Former New Zealand School of Dance student Harrison James, now Principal Dancer at The National Ballet of Canada teaches a class to the NZSD …
British entertainer Dynamo will play two shows in Wellington tonight after his Monday night opening show at the TSB Arena was cancelled because of technical problems. Event promoter TEG and Venues Wellington said that a scheduled 8:00pm show and new 5:00pm show would proceed now that technical issues were resolved. Ticket holders have been advised …
Expelliarmus Dynamo: magician’s Wellington opening cancelled Read More »
Metlink are reporting no major delays to Hutt Valley bus services this morning, with all school services including Hutt Valley routes running as normal. Fifty bus drivers on Hutt Valley routes employed by Tranzit began industrial action at 5:00am this morning. Drivers cut their daily hours to a standard eight-hour day with breaks, protesting what …
Hutt and school bus services unaffected by industrial action, says Metlink Read More »
Zoomy, the local alternative to global rideshare giant Uber is rewarding its Wellington passengers with unlimited half-price fares this week. Photo by Victor Xok on Unsplash Given what’s been happening with the public transport network, it’s serendipitous timing for Zoomy, who celebrate their one-year anniversary this Friday with a half-price offer on all rides. Zoomy is a ridesharing …
Rideshare company celebrates a year in Wellington with half-price fares Read More »
The New Zealand International Film Festival and the Festival for the Future both open in Wellington this Friday. The late, great Harry Dean Stanton in Lucky Tickets for the Wellington Film Festival are selling fast, with only a few seats available for the opening night film Birds of Passage, and many other sessions through to …
Film and futures feature in big Festival weekend Read More »
A new initiative is asking the public to donate toiletry and hygiene products for people in need. A battle against hygiene poverty was launched today by Wellington blogger and policy advisor Lucy Revill. Soap For Society, in partnership with Wellington City Mission, Accor Hotels, Arriba PR and La Chapardeuse illustrator Maureen, will collect beauty and toiletry products …
Colouring, punishment, tropical plants, novelists and knitting are on the menu today. Colour for Life is a weekly Monday session at the Island Bay Community Centre, 137 The Parade, from 10:00am to noon. Bring your own art materials or use the Centre’s resources, while chatting about local and global issues. Cost is $1 per person, …
Continuing public transport problems with the Wellington region’s bus network will be further affected as Hutt Valley bus drivers begin industrial action, and returning school students boost passengers numbers. Fifty bus drivers on Hutt Valley routes employed by Tranzit began industrial action at 5:00am this morning. The action is expected to affect services throughout the …
Bus drivers start industrial action as students return to school Read More »
Five free or cheap things to do on the last weekend of the school holidays. The Wellington Winter 2018 Rubik’s Cube Tournament is running all day on Saturday (8:00am to 7:00pm) at the ASB Sports Centre, 72 Kemp Street, Kilbirnie. It’s a free all-ages event, with registration fees if you want to compete. Wellington Winter …
Content provided by BusinessDesk, “the only business news source you need”; 10-day free trial available at https://www.businessdesk.co.nz/ By Margreet Dietz July 20 (BusinessDesk) – The Commerce Commission has filed proceedings against Wilson Parking, alleging New Zealand’s biggest parking company substantially lessened competition for the supply of car parking in the Boulcott Street area in central Wellington when …
Commerce Commission files proceedings against Wilson Parking, seeks penalty Read More »
As well as maintaining a long-running blog, Wellington writer and broadcaster Simon Sweetman is closing in on publishing 125 podcasts, many with notable Wellingtonians. We will be providing occasional links to them on The Wellington App. Pip Adam. Photo by Victoria Birkinshaw For episode 122, from late June 2018, Sweetman talked with author, teacher and …
This week, the director of Auckland’s Shakespeare sensation the Pop-Up Globe faced fire for the tone-deaf decision to cast an all-male production of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, and using #metoo branding. In Wellington, the 36th Summer Shakespeare will take a different stance by staging a contemporary production of Hamlet, exploring the universality and relevance of …
Woman to play Hamlet as Wellington Summer Shakespeare returns to Dell Read More »
Rugby, glow worms, symphonic winds, waste dating and comedy are events on offer for your Friday night in Wellington. It’s Super Rugby play-off time as the Hurricanes host the Chiefs in the first of the weekend’s quarter finals, at Investec Westpac Stadium, 105 Waterloo Quay. Hurricanes captain Brad Shields has declared himself fit after his …
The Wellington Black A team has netted a third straight Netball NZ U17 Champs crown in commanding form, delighting coach Dion Te Whetu. The local under-17 women’s team overcame a slow start to beat Auckland 1 41-29 at Vautier Park in Palmerston North yesterday. It is the fourth straight year that the two teams have …
Wellington Police are pleased to confirm the 79-year-old woman reported missing this afternoon has been found safe and well. A member of the public called Police this evening to report a sighting of 79-year-old Marion Twitchet, following an appeal made to media. Police would like to thank the media and the public for their assistance.
Wellington Police are looking for missing 79-year-old Marion Twitchet. Mrs Twitchet was reported missing around 2:25pm today and was last seen in Kilbirnie around the Kilbirnie Crescent and Henry Street area. She was last seen wearing a red fleece jumper and a red and white skirt. Mrs Twitchet suffers from dementia and may have become …
Buildings surrounding the Macaulay Metals factory in Seaview Rd in Petone were evacuated this morning as fire and emergency services worked to extinguish a large blaze. Fire and Emergency Hutt-Wairarapa reported that the fire was at the western end of a large scrap metal pile, which included insulation from fridges and other materials, producing toxic …
Petone fire causes health risks, transport changes Read More »
Five music-related events happening in Wellington this evening. The exhibition celebrating the music, activism, politics, humour, and self-created careers of the Topp Twins is showing at the National Library, corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, until September. This evening from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, artist Sian Torrington who curated the exhibition will speak on the particular perspective …
Tickets go on sale at noon today for the summer tour by Fat Freddy’s Drop – including their first outdoor summer gig in the capital for three years. Fat Freddy’s Drop at Black Barn earlier this year. Photo by Vanessa Rushton Presales go on sale at midday today (general tickets on Monday 23 July) for …
A protest installation is currently playing out along Cable Street across from the Chaffers New World supermarket. Photos by Mark Cubey Strings of plastic bags are running from lamppost to lamppost from Tory Street to the turnoff to Oriental Parade. Messages written on the bags included “Say no to plastic” and “600 bags 2 hours …
The 100th birthday of Nelson Mandela is being celebrated around Wellington today with education, football, charity and faith. Nelson Mandela display at Wellington Central Library Nelson Mandela was born on 18 July 1918. The South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, after spending 27 …
Now up to its seventh issue since launching last November, Regenerate Magazine has helped homeless sellers get off the streets and into employment. Two of the sellers of a local monthly magazine launched to help the homeless and those surviving on the streets have found jobs and accommodation as a result of their entrepreneurial street …
Regeneration for street sellers from magazine sales Read More »
Five affordable suggestions for (largely) family activity in Wellington today. Five favourite Margaret Mahy stories are brought to life with animation during a 11:00am screening today of The Magical World of Margaret Mahy at Nga Taonga Sound & Vision, 84 Taranaki Street, in partnership with the Square Eyes Film Foundation. Tickets are $5:00, and free …
Long before social media, audience trolling of TV personalities was a thing. Something a music video compilation show host found out to his cost very quickly… Phil O’Brien at Radio Windy in 1980, at the time of his Radio With Pictures hosting. Listeners to RNZ now know them best as radio-without-pictures hosts. But back in …
Five* (free) events happening in Wellington today. You can Meet an Engineer at the Cable Car Museum at the top of the Cable Car on Upland Road in Kelburn. Engineers will be there chat daily until Sunday from 11:30am to 1:00pm, along with other fun and interactive activities downstairs next to exhibits in the Winding …
A new partnership between Wellington’s largest tourism organisations will provide a $2.5 million funding boost to the goal of boosting the number of Chinese visitors to the region over the next five years. WCC Photo of tourists at Weta Cave by Jeff McEwan A new partnership has been formed between the Wellington Regional Development Agency …
Wellington commuters are heading off to work this morning hoping for smoother travel on the Metlink public transport network. A passenger-generated sign at a Hataitai bus stop last week expressed the frustration of early morning passengers. Buses didn’t turn up, went the wrong way, were too full, or all came at once, causing frustration for …
Frustrated passengers on first week day of new transport system Read More »
Five things happening in Wellington tonight. If it’s not cold enough for you already, the Wellington Ice Rink is operating today and every day until Sunday 5 August from 10:00am to 10:00pm at Odlins Plaza on Taranaki Street Wharf. If you get moving now you may be able to make it to the 6:15pm one-off …
Original recordings of iconic New Zealand rock music, some in need of urgent preservation, have found a safe home at the Turnbull Library. Flying Nun records master tapes pictured in collection storage at The Alexander Turnbull Library Hundreds of master tapes from music recordings made between 1981 to the mid-2000s for Flying Nun Records have …
Donation of Flying Nun tapes marks centenary for Turnbull Read More »
The Snapper payment system is now operating for Metlink public transport across the Wellington region. Passengers will still receive notifications by audio messages and on screen, but depending on which services they have been using, some features will be new. The Snapper payment system is now in use on all Transit, NZ bus, Userbus and …
Most of the bus hubs that form a key part of Wellington’s new public transport system are not finished – or even started – yet. But temporary setups and shelters are in place, with Metlink AmBUSsadors in place to help passengers get to the right place to get on the right bus. A temporary Metlink …
Motorists are advised to delay their travel on State Highway 1 on the Kapiti Coast following a crash this afternoon. A truck and two cars collided in the northbound lane between Pukerua Bay and Paekakariki. Traffic has been at a standstill in the area and motorists are being advised to expected lengthy delays. The NZ …
Crash between Paekakariki and Pukerua Bay causes delays Read More »
Tributes are flowing for Sue Paterson who died yesterday aged 65, following a long time living with cancer. Photo Deirdre Tarrant, courtesy of DANZ. While Sue Paterson’s work was not limited to the arts, it was in that sector that she made great waves over nearly half a decade. She was instrumental in the rise …
The Michael Fowler Centre car park will close next Saturday, 21 July, so that construction can start on a temporary home for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Assembly of the prefabricated building by the Wellington City Council will start in the car park on Monday 23 July, and is expected to take three to four …
Do you have a question or problem you are trying to solve professionally or personally? Are you a womxn*? Are you free next Thursday evening? Help a Sister Out may be what you need.. The second in a series of six monthly events, Help a Sister Out takes place next Thursday evening. Run by the …
Wellington Zoo is celebrating World Chimpanzee Day tomorrow, with the transformation of its chimpanzee zoo habitat underway. Saturday 14 July, World Chimpanzee Day, is the anniversary of Dr Jane Goodall’s arrival in what is now Gombe Stream National Park to study chimpanzees in the wild. Wellington Zoo has a partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute …
The fireworks display on the waterfront will take place Saturday night if the southern right whale has departed Wellington Harbour. The ten-minute Sky Show spectacular, planned to mark the end of the city’s Matariki celebrations, was postponed last weekend because of the visit by the southern right whale. The Department of Conservation advised the fireworks …
More than half of Wellington buildings listed as potentially dangerous to the public in an earthquake because of unreinforced masonry have been upgraded. Securing work has started on a number of others but with less than three months remaining before the deadline, some haven’t started, concerning Wellington City Council. WCC Unreinforced masonry is prevalent in …
Many dangerous buildings repaired, but September deadline looms for others Read More »
If you’re passing Parliament this evening and see police all over the Beehive do not be alarmed. It’s not emergency – or paranormal – activity. New local mockumentary comedy series Wellington Paranormal debuts tonight on TVNZ 2. Based on events and characters from Taiki Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s 2014 film What We Do in the …
Chefs from Melbourne, Australia, the US and UK are coming to town to collaborate with counterparts in Wellington and from other NZ cities at ten special Visa Wellington on a Plate events. Monique Fiso prepares for Hiakai Hāngi Top culinary talent from around New Zealand and the world will visit Wellington next month for the Chef …
Ten top chefs flying in for tenth birthday party Read More »
As part of the public transport changes happening on Sunday 15 July, northern suburbs residents will be no longer be able to use their Mana/Newlands bus cards. But they shouldn’t throw them away. Wellington community centre advocate Vanessa Lyall at Newlands Community Centre Northern suburbs residents with a Mana/Newlands bus card will not be able …
Lyall Bay resident Richard Scott is moving on from producing one of RNZ’s most consistently entertaining programmes into a new on-air role. Last Saturday after nearly 13 years on the airwaves and internet, the weekly RNZ National programme This Way Up with Simon Morton, which combined science and digital coverage, consumer advice and a whole …
New podcast sampling gig for This Way Up producer Read More »
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation has advised that its members have voted to reject the revised offer of employment terms and conditions from District Health Boards across New Zealand. This means that nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who are members of the NZNO will likely proceed with nationwide strike action on Thursday. The strike action …
Thursday strike action likely as nurses reject offer Read More »
Three years of intelligence-led and preventative policing has helped to reduce car crime in a Wellington city area by almost half. Reports of theft from cars has dropped by 46 per cent in Te Aro compared to April 2015. “A lot of work has been done around encouraging parking building owners to upgrade their lighting …
Theft from cars drops with preventative policing Read More »
An analysis of over 72,000 vacancies listed on Trade Me Jobs indicates that Wellington City is just $2 a year behind Auckland City as the highest earning area in the country. Jeremy Wade, head of Trade Me Jobs, said the average salary in Wellington City was up a solid 7 per cent on last year …
Local community group Mt Cook Mobilised are pleased that Housing New Zealand will be fixing up its 54 apartments in Rolleston Street, but are asking for more consultation on this and other development plans. In an article published in the newsletter of MCM, chair Peter Cooke notes that while the six-decade old apartments at 21 …
Mt Cook Mobilised calls for HNZ consultation on redevelopments Read More »
Paekakariki Hill Road remains closed due to a slip. Commuters are asked to use SH1 or SH58 and take extra care. The New Zealand Transport Agency also advises that the slip that closed one lane of SH58 on Haywards Heath Rd near the intersection with Old Haywards Rd has now been cleared, but the shoulder …
The State Highway 1 Terrace Tunnel will be closed tonight from 9:00pm for maintenance. A detour route will be clearly marked. The tunnel is expected to reopen by 5:30am on Tuesday 10 July.
A series of improvements designed to make central city cycling more pleasant include improved waterfront connections, covered parking for bikes, and new and extended bike lanes. Bike rack with knitted foot by Wellington City Library. New racks in Grey Street are promised to be much flasher. Motorbike parking on Grey Street moves around the corner …
Despite bad weekend weather, eager whale spotters took every opportunity to try to get a glimpse of the city’s new aquatic star, thronging coastlines over the weekend. But not everybody followed the road rules. Photograph by Sean Gillespie Wits on Twitter are asking if there’s anyone in Wellington who hasn’t got a photo of the …
A University of Otago, Wellington, study has highlighted the contrast between the healthy activity on the court or field and the food sold at sports venues. Junk food dominates New Zealand sport venues, according to new research led by the University of Otago, Wellington. The study, funded by the Health Research Council of NZ, investigated …
Wellington research shows how junk food dominates sport Read More »
Stormy weather on the weekend will affect traffic this morning. Paekakariki Hill Road remains closed this morning due to fallen trees. Commuters are asked to use SH1 or SH58 and take extra care. A slip has closed one lane of SH58 on Haywards Heath Rd near the intersection with Old Haywards Rd. Please take extra …
Adverse weather closes roads, restricts harbour ferry sailing Read More »
With just three rounds to go before the semi-finals, the push to the playoffs of the Jubilee Cup and Hardham Cup premier men’s rugby contests intensifies this weekend. Several of Wellington’s leading contenders can starting thinking about the playoffs at the end of this month should they win tomorrow. Poneke thrashed Tawa a fortnight ago …
Playoff hopes beckon in final premier rugby rounds Read More »
The Matariki Sky Show is to be postponed till next weekend – either Saturday 14 July or Sunday 15 July – primarily due to the presence of the southern right whale in Wellington Harbour. Photograph by Sean Gillespie Wellington’s acting Mayor, Jill Day, says the postponement call was made this afternoon following advice from the …
Whale visit prompts postponement of Matariki fireworks Read More »
Artistic upcyclers are invited to join a working bee tomorrow as Boomerang Bags do their bit for Plastic Free July. Boomerang Bags Wellington who divert textiles and fabric from landfill and upcycle it into readily available reusable bags, are holding their biggest working bee ever tomorrow. As part of Plastic Free July, they are challenging …
Local residents and community groups are invited to take a tour of the city’s Southern Landfill to see the effects of discarded plastics at close range. The Wellington City Council is reinforcing its commitment to Plastic Free July with the return of its Bags in the Wild landfill tour, following a positive public response for …
Wellington’s been the right place for a visit by a rare southern right whale since it was first spotted in the harbour on Tuesday. But the presence of the whale in the harbour may postpone the Wellington City Council’s inaugural mid-year fireworks event. Photograph by Sean Gillespie Wellington turned into Whaleywood this week as locals …
Right whale – or wrong weather – may halt fireworks (photos) Read More »
Metlink are expecting “a lot of cancellations” of Go Wellington services this afternoon due to driver shortages. The cancellations come after this morning’s disruption, when many drivers did not turn up for work. More than 30 services were cancelled this morning. NZ Bus chief executive Zane Fulljames told RNZ that illness was the reason for …
Three young Seatoun residents have set up an incentive-based conservation scheme – Traplordz – designed to revitalise conservation culture amongst their peers. GREGOR THOMPSON Jack Tully (centre) receives his new trap from Traplordz Claude Ramsden Bradley (left) and Tait Burge Tait Burge, Hugo Reeve and Claude Ramsden Bradley of Seatoun have set up a self-funded …
Traplordz scheme brings pest control plan to youth Read More »
Metlink have advised that a large number of Go Wellington bus services have been cancelled this morning. Over 30 routes have been affected throughout Wellington, with drivers facing redundancy not turning up to work. Services are being cancelled in Metlink’s Real-Time Information system. Passengers are advised to check RTI signs at bus stops or RTI on …
Go Wellington becomes Stop Wellington this morning Read More »
House values in Wellington continue to rise, though increases for the year to June don’t match those in the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Kapiti Coast. Sales activity is highest in the northern suburbs. Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels The latest monthly QV House Price Index shows that residential property values across the whole Wellington …
Wellington house values rise 4.8% with northern suburbs leading sales activity Read More »
The Wellington Sky Show, the inaugural display of fireworks above the harbour to mark Matariki ki Pōneke 2018, takes place this Saturday from 6:30 to 6:40pm (postponement date is Sunday 8 July). Because of the display, buses will not be able to travel on Oriental Parade and Evans Bay Road between Cable Street and Cobham …
Bookings for the 47th Wellington Film Festival open at 10:00am tomorrow, Thursday 5 July. Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of the movies. MARK CUBEY Nicolas Cage in Mandy It’s been a great year at the movies already. I never thought two superhero sequels (Incredibles 2 and Deadpool 2) would be …
Electric vehicle (EV) chargers are being installed around the capital, and Wellington City Council wants the public to have their say on where they should be located. Photo by Mikes Photos from Pexels Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular as a mode of transport. But around one in four Wellington residents can’t charge EVs at …
Double EV chargers set to hit streets – but where? Read More »
The payment system Snapper is being removed as a payment option on Wellington City Council parking meters. The council is removing the Snapper option following damage caused to around half of the city’s 500 pay-and-display meters by new ANZ credit/debit cards that feature braille dots designed to help visually-impaired people enter the cards the right …
An 800 litre water tank is being installed at an Upper Hutt marae with the assistance of the Nikau Foundation’s new Wellington Resilience Fund. This is the first project for the Fund, part of the Nikau Foundation’s mission to increase grants available for community resilience projects around the region. The water tank is being installed …
Water tank for marae first project for Wellington Resilience Fund Read More »
Wellington libraries are inviting tamariki and their whanau to see them as more than just places to get books, and explore their entrepreneurial, tech-driven and adventurous side during 16 days of events starting this weekend. Queen Olivia St Redfern at Rainbow Storytime during Beyond the Page in 2017. The second year of Beyond the Page …
Libraries join forces to go beyond the page from Saturday Read More »
The main terminal building at Wellington Airport is getting its biggest makeover since it opened in 1999. Preliminary demolition work has begun ahead of a $15 million upgrade of approximately 6000 square metres in the main terminal’s public area on level one, which houses mainly food and beverage outlets alongside clothing, book and gift stores. …
This Saturday, in the latest of the BWB Winter Series, Damon Salesa asks, “What would it mean for New Zealand to act like a Pacific Island nation?” The free public talk on Saturday 7 July from 2:00 to 3:00pm, at Te Marae, Level 4, Te Papa, is based on the Michael King Memorial Lecture Damon …
The manager of transportation planning for the city of Vancouver, Canada, is holding a public presentation in Wellington tomorrow Dale Bracewell is steering Transportation 2040, the British Columbian city’s high-level vision for all modes of transport, with specific mobility and safety goals. Vancouver achieved its interim target of 50 percent of all daily trips by …
The construction of a new, enclosed and secure building for the long-awaited Event Centre in Karori is complete. But the Trust administering the community project needs $816,000 to finish the internal fit-out. The Karori Event Centre, waiting for its interior fit-out The western Wellington suburb of Karori is one of the biggest in the country. …
Fit-out funds still needed for Karori Event Centre Read More »
Taonga puoro, the Parekōwhai piano, Bic Runga and five speakers offering radical propositions for our future combine with food, drink and art this Thursday at City Gallery. Michael Parekōwhai He Kōrero Pūrākau mō te Awanui o te Motu: Story of a New Zealand River 2011 It’s the first week of July, which means that Thursday night is …
Radical propositions, Bic Runga and Parekōwhai piano go late this Thursday Read More »
At time of writing, only 14 spaces remain for volunteer registrations at the second annual impactNPO Wellington Charity Hackathon weekend. The weekend of 13-15 July is the second chance for volunteers to give back to the community by providing IT solutions to local non-profits. Non-profit organisations often have many IT challenges, and the weekend offers …
Kate Sheppard’s silhouette already appears on pedestrian “cross now” signs at eight Wellington intersections. Now the leading light of the women’s suffrage movement in the 1890s has inspired a range of bespoke products developed by Wellington and Auckland museums. Wellington Museum and Auckland Museum have collaborated with top NZ umbrella company Blunt to produce 1000 …
Museums collaborate with Camellia umbrellas for Suffrage 125 Read More »
Six free events featuring local writers for your July diary from today onward. Dame Fiona Kidman (above) will mark the publication of her new book This Mortal Boy (Penguin Books) in a lunchtime conversation with fellow author Redmer Yska from 12:00 to 12:45pm on Monday 2 July. The novel is based on the life of …
July book events (updated) feature bodgies, whanau, cycling and poetry Read More »
Wellington families made the most of a still, chill night on Friday to enjoy the Ahi Kā and OneOne events for Matariki on the waterfront. Thousands of Wellingtonians thronged the waterfront around Taranaki Wharf after dusk on Friday evening to enjoy the first of what is planned to become an annual family-friendly event as part …
The slip on to the tracks at Wadestown this morning has been cleared and train services have resumed. Metlink thanks passengers for their patience, and advises them to expect delays and increased passenger numbers. Johnsonville tickets will still be accepted on all Kapiti services.
Following a slip on to the tracks at Wadestown this morning, all services are currently suspended on the Johnsonville line. Metlink are trying to organise buses however no buses are currently available. Commuters are advised to make alternative travel arrangements. Maintenance crews are on their way to the site of the slip to assess the …
Major streets and bus stops will be closed from 7:00am through 1:00pm tomorrow, Sunday 1 July, for the Wellington Marathon. One lane on the seaward side of Cable Street will be closed from Jervois Quay to Oriental Parade. Both lanes along Oriental Parade will be closed from Cable Street to Evans Bay Parade. Both lanes …
Streets and bus stops closed for Wellington Marathon Read More »
Wellington’s Matariki celebrations continue tonight with free family-friendly celebrations taking place around the waterfront. Tonight’s Ahi Kā event on and around Whairepo Lagoon is a new venture for Council, and due to become an annual fixture. From 6:00pm, the opening Ahi Kā procession Nga Wai Piāta (Streams of Light), featuring children from seven regional schools, …
The arrival of Neve Te Aroha Ardern Gayford has been celebrated with the launch of Trees for Kiwi Babies, a new initiative from conservation charity Trees That Count. The charity is building a movement to help New Zealand plant more native trees, counting how many native trees planted each year and helping to plant more. …
The mayors of Wellington, Lower Hutt and Porirua have all welcomed the new 10-year plan for transport from Government which promises to unlock record investment in the roads, rail and public transport. Minister of Transport Phil Twyford announced the Government Policy Statement (GPS) 2018 on Land Transport today. It increases investment from $3.6 billion in …
Region’s mayors support new government plan for transport Read More »
There’s a special opportunity for warmly wrapped stargazers tomorrow morning, as Wellington Museum and the Wellington Astronomical Society invite the public to join them for a dawn viewing of Matariki. The Māori new year was traditionally signalled with the mid-winter sighting of Matariki (the Māori name for the Pleaides star cluster) in the early morning …
Four cinemas in Reading Courtenay Central will present over 250 screenings during the 46th Wellington Film Festival, alongside many more screenings at the Embassy and other established Festival venues. But the Paramount and Soundings are not included as venues for this year’s programme, and there won’t be a screening of the restoration of Buster Keaton’s …
New venues but no General admission for Film Festival Read More »
The ninth member of the Independent App Network of New Zealand had its launch party last week on the longest night of the year. The Wellington App owners Huup Waagen and Ruth Copeland with Wanaka App founder Tony O’Regan. Photo: Meriana Johnsen Ruth Copeland and Huup Waagen, co-owners of The Wellington App, welcomed a small …
The community work of 13 locals has proved lucky for many Wellingtonians who’ve benefited from their labours. Contributions to the city’s ethnic, marginalised, arts, sports, conservation and education communities were recognised last night when Mayor Justin Lester presented Absolutely Positive Wellingtonian award certificates to 13 recipients at an event at City Gallery Wellington. “These awards …
American activist, politician, former US Army soldier and court-martialled whistle-blower Chelsea Manning will visit New Zealand for the first time later this year. Chelsea Manning. Photo by Tim Henning Chelsea Manning will not have to worry about political campaigning when she visits Wellington and Auckland in September. The aspiring politician lost her Senate bid yesterday …
Court-martialled whistle-blower to visit Wellington Read More »
Paekakariki Hill Road is currently closed following a crash. Police advise that a car has reportedly gone off the road on the Paekakariki side. Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 8.00am A car has gone off the road and is around 60 metres down a bank on the Paekakariki side. One person is …
At last night’s monthly meeting, the Wellington City Council adopted its Long-Term Plan for 2018-28, focusing on the city’s economy, housing, transport, resilience and a decade of culture. Mindful of a growing population and healthy financial position, Wellington City Council has allowed debt to double as part of its 10-Year Long Term Plan, enabling investment …
Debt doubled, capital projects pushed in WCC 10-year plan Read More »
A discussion on migration tonight (Thursday 28 June) will explore how New Zealand’s borders impact on citizens, recent immigrants, and people who aren’t permitted to set foot on this land. Auckland academic David Hall (pictured), editor of last year’s BWB Text Fair Borders?, will lead the discussion with contributors Andrew Chen, Arama Rataand and Evelyn Marsters. It is part …
Our weekly look at what’s happening in Wellington on the hospitality scene. Iconic Wellington café The Lido, now 28 years old, has reopened doors nearly ten months after closing for earthquake restrengthening. The café occupies the ground floor of the historic former Racing Conference Building on the corner of Victoria and Wakefield streets, one …
Lido reopens, Olive restrengthens, Bad Grannies becomes Chooky’s Read More »
The re-creation of the popular hanging sculpture Ferns has just been installed in Te Ngākau (Civic Square). Wellington City Council workers were on the job from 5.00am this morning preparing for the installation of the stainless steel sphere, a replacement for the original Ferns by Christchurch-based artist Neil Dawson. The original 200kg sculpture was installed …
Hutt Valley Police are looking for the man alleged to have shot a person in the chest during a family harm incident yesterday afternoon in George Street, Stokes Valley. Inspector Scott Cooper said that police are undertaking “various inquiries at addresses around Lower Hutt to locate the alleged offender” but added, “we don’t believe they …
A new version of the popular hanging sculpture Ferns will be reinstalled in Te Ngākau (Civic Square) today. The Neil Dawson sculpture Ferns was first removed in 2011. The replacement of the suspended silver sphere comes three years after the original orb was removed because wear and tear had made repairs unviable. The original 200 …
Iconic sculpture to be replaced in Civic Square today Read More »
A special event to open the first of Wellington’s community water stations was held at at Johnsonville’s Truscott Park yesterday. The 22 stations will form the foundation of the city’s above ground emergency water supply network. One of the 20,000 litre on-site bladders that will act as pop-up reservoirs at Water Stations. The Minister …
The Wellington City Council is looking for a long-term community focused or NGO tenant to lease a historically significant house in Khandallah Park. WCC The former Khandallah custodian’s residence at 86 Clark Street has local historical value as a relatively early survivor from the period when the area was converted from farmland to a city …
The Downtown Community Ministry is now accepting donations of books for its annual bookfair, the largest of its kind in Wellington. The fair will be held on Saturday 4 August 2018 at Shed 6 on Queen’s Wharf. The bookfair, which offers many thousands of quality secondhand books for sale, is DCM’s major annual fundraiser, with …
Showers are forecast by MetService for this morning in Wellington, with a strong, cold southerly change. Showers are expected to arrive around 9am; some could be heavy with hail. Snow showers are expected about the summit of the Remutaka Hill Road on SH2 from Tuesday afternoon and evening. Caution is advised. The forecast high temperature …
Wellingtonians should plan for household storage of at least 140 litres of drinking water per person as a preventative measure against future earthquakes. Colin Crampton, chief executive of Wellington Water which manages drinking, storm and waste water in the region, says that residents should be prepared to rely on water stored at home for at …
Volunteer scuba divers, free divers and shore crew are invited to lend a hand on Sunday 24 June to help clean up the wall at Oriental Bay beach (past the old Band Rotunda, opposite house 328). The clean up is the latest event in Wellington from Ghost Fishing NZ, part of a global initiative to remove …
Daughter born to Prime Minister Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern gave birth to a baby daughter on the afternoon of Thursday 21 June, shortly before a small earthquake (4.0, centred near Turangi) was felt in Wellington ahead of the launch of The Wellington App and the Loemis solstice ritual. The events are believed to be unconnected. …
Bus tunnel closure continues The Hataitai bus tunnel will be closed again today (Friday 22 June) from 9am to 8pm for road resurfacing works on Waitoa Road. Bus services that would usually travel through the Hataitai Tunnel will be diverted. Afternoon peak services will be diverted through the Mount Victoria tunnel. Metlink School services will …
This year’s winner of the top Palme d’Or prize at the Cannes Film Festival is one of 30 films from Cannes that will screen in Wellington at the 2018 New Zealand International Film Festival. Shoplifters, Japanese director Kore-eda Hirokazu’s latest film about an unconventional family making ends meet on the margins of Tokyo was a …
Claire Mabey and Andrew Laking of events company Pirate & Queen are producers of unique niche happenings that have been involved and rewarded Wellington participants and audiences for five years. Their current solstice event, Lōemis, comes midway through their busiest year ever – including a new addition to the family. MARK CUBEY Claire Mabey and Andrew …
Lōemis solstice festival concludes with fiery climax Read More »
Predator Free Wellington was today given Wellington City Council approval to become a legally recognised charity. This will open up a wider range of funding opportunities and help secure the growth plan for the future. Kereru at Otari Wilton’s Bush Charitable status for Predator Free Wellington, a joint programme between Wellington City Council, Greater Wellington …
Flight path enhanced for Predator Free Wellington Read More »
Hataitai bus tunnel closed again The Hataitai bus tunnel will be closed again today, Thursday 21 June, until 8pm as roadworks take place in Waitoa Road. Expect delays and diversions. Services travelling through Kilbirnie Crescent will also experience delays and diversions due to major roadworks. More info at Metlink.org.nz